Be a Big!

Big Brothers and Big Sisters are caring individuals from every background, race, religion, and ethnicity that are willing to spend a few hours each month with a child.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie Niagara and the Southern Tier - Big Sister Angie

How to Become a Big

To provide a mentoring relationship that will be beneficial to the well-being and personal growth of our Littles, becoming a Big requires a minimum of a 1-year commitment from the date you are matched.

Bigs and Littles are encouraged to share simple, everyday activities that focus on building a friendship and having fun while developing interests, skills and feelings of self-accomplishment for the Little. Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers a number of group activities and freebies, like tickets to local events provided by generous donors, for you and your Little to enjoy!

You and your Little set your own schedule, however, we ask that you commit to consistently seeing your Little at least 2-3 times per month, for a few hours each time. This could be an afternoon or evening during the week or on the weekend. You and your Little decide. An agency staff member will makes the initial introductions and continue to provide support to you and your Little for as long as you are matched.

Although age does not matter (our oldest Big is 85!), you must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Community Based Mentoring Program. Additionally, volunteers in this program must have reliable transportation to take themselves and their Little to and from activities.

Sign Up to Learn More!

Stand with us today! We need mentors now more than ever.

Sign up for a call with a BBBS Staff member to give you a chance to learn more about our agency and the volunteer opportunities we offer. Find out how you or someone you know can be a Mentor, a Big Brother or Big Sister, to a child that needs you.

To register for an info call, please click here or contact:

Elizabeth Friol
Inquiry Coordinator
Phone: (716) 873-5833 ext. 240
Email: elizabeth.friol@bbbsenst.org

How It Works

We create a mentoring relationship between a Big and a Little based on shared interests, preferences and expectations.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie Niagara and the Southern Tier-LS-Jay

Steps to Becoming a Big

Here are the steps we’ll walk you through.

1. Apply Now Online

Apply to be a Big through our online form and a member of our staff will reach out to you to discuss your application and the next steps.

2. Volunteer Interview

When our staff member contacts you, they will answer any questions you might have and discuss our volunteer opportunities. If you are ready to take the next step, we will schedule you for a volunteer training and interview to start the screening process.

3. Meet Your Little!

Creating mentoring relationships is important to our mission. We create mentoring relationships based on interests, preferences and expectations of the Big and Little. A member of our professional staff will introduce you to your Little!

Community Based Mentoring

You can make a BIG difference by sharing time with a child doing things together in our community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie Niagara and the Southern Tier-BB-Stosh

Our Community Based Mentoring Program is our most popular program and is flexible to allow you and your Little to set your own schedule. Learn more about our other mentoring programs and see all of the other ways you may be able to help ignite the potential of children in your community.

Our Hall of Potential

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Sponsor the 2021 Fore the Children Golf Tournament!
June 26, 2021
Sponsor the 2021 Fore the Children Golf Tournament!
There's still time to sponsor this year's big summer event—our 15th Annual FORE The Children Golf Tournament! Find out how.
12th Annual Fore the Children Tournament a Success!
August 1, 2018
12th Annual Fore the Children Tournament a Success!
Our 12th Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters “Fore the Children” Golf Tournament held Monday, July 30th was a BIG success!! It was a beautiful day that raised nearly $50,000 to help provide local children facing adversity with the Big Brother or Big Sister they need and want. Thank you for making a BIG difference for children in our community! A very BIG thank you to all of our event sponsors – especially our Presenting Sponsor PCB Piezotronics – An MTS Company, our supporters and our golfers!   Congrats to our our 1st Place Foursome- PCB Piezotronics, 2nd Place Foursome- Hodgson Russ and 3rd Place Foursome- BRD, Inc.  A special congratulations to Donald B. White on receiving the Hedwig “De” Moss Leadership Award for his commitment to making a difference in the lives of...
Fore The Children Golf Tournament a BIG Success!
August 3, 2017
Fore The Children Golf Tournament a BIG Success!
A BIG thank you to all of our sponsors and golfers that helped to raise over $50,000 at our 11th Annual Fore the Children Golf Tournament presented by PCB Piezotronics-MTS Systems Corporation. We hope everyone had an amazing day on the course raising funds to match more kids facing adversity with caring mentors! Check out the photos here! Congrats to this year’s 2017 Hedwig “De” Moss Leadership Award Honorees– Scott Rafferty Memorial Tournament.  The tournament, which honors the late Scott Rafferty who was a Big Brother with BBBS of Erie County while a college student, has raised over $50,000 for BBBSEC!  Pictured above with our CEO, Thomas Guagliardo, the award namesake, De Moss & our BoD Chair Emeritus David T. Hore are two of Scott’s...
Women Who Move the City Wednesday-Congrats Susan Gastle!
April 19, 2017
Women Who Move the City Wednesday-Congrats Susan Gastle!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is honored to celebrate Susan Gastle as this week’s featured Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree!  This summer, Susan will be celebrating 10 years of friendship with her Little Brother, Josh, through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County. Susan’s role as a Big Sister is unique since typically BBBSEC matches Big Sisters with Little Sisters. However, due to a shortage of Big Brothers, boys under the age of 10 can be matched with a Big Sister. Susan gladly took on this role and has been an amazing Big Sister to Josh, who was just 6 years old when they met. Over the years, they have enjoyed trying new foods, attended numerous local events and participated in agency sponsored...