Staying Connected – Mentoring Through Uncertainty
As human beings, we naturally crave social contact and connection with other people. Not only do our personal relationships enrich our lives, they also help sustain our sense of well-being […]
As human beings, we naturally crave social contact and connection with other people. Not only do our personal relationships enrich our lives, they also help sustain our sense of well-being […]
Although our offices are physically closed and we are working remotely, we want to remain a resource and advocate for the children, families and volunteers we serve. We hope that […]
Caring for the health and emotional well-being of children goes hand in hand with our mission of helping children achieve their potential. Concern over the coronavirus can make adults and […]
Bowl for Kids 2020 Goes Virtual! With the current climate and government mandates surrounding the coronavirus, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Bowl for Kids (BFK) event is going ‘virtual’ this year. [...]
For those who have had questions, we wanted to provide more detailed and specific information about how we are handling program enrollment, volunteering, and support for active/existing matches. [...]
COVID-19 Announcement – April 14, 2020 We wanted to provide you with updated information regarding BBBS’ agency operations as we monitor and adjust to the evolving COVID-19 situation. [...]
Are you ready for a smackdown… a rumble… or some trash talk? ‘Cause we have a group that is calling you out – to Bowl for Kids! Though it’ll be […]
Making the decision to become a Big Brother or Big Sister is a big step, one that should not be complicated by myths about being a mentor. Understanding reality versus […]
“I can tell my Big Sister anything and she listens without judging me.”
Little Sister
“My Big Brother has helped me discover new things.”
Little Brother
“Whenever something is bothering me, I can talk with my Big about it.”
Little Sister
“My Big Brother has taken me to visit several colleges and I’m excited to start applying.”
Little Brother
“With my Big Sister’s help I am doing better in school.”
Little Sister
“My relationship with my Big Brother is very important to me.”
Little Brother
“My Big Brother appreciates me for who I am.”
Little Brother
“My Big Sister is always there for me when I need her.”
Little Sister
“My Big makes me feel important.”
Little Brother
“I love reading with my Big Sister.”
Little Sister
“Being a Big Brother has enriched my life.”
Ben, Big Brother
“Children are our future. I like helping them realize their potential.”
Donor
“Having a Big in our lives has helped my whole family.”
Natasha, Mom of a Little
“It’s a privilege to be able to help kids recognize the potential within themselves and illuminate the opportunities they have in their lives.”
Jeremy, Big Brother
“As a Big, I get to spend time with my Little doing things I loved doing as a kid – exploring, going out to eat, cooking, visiting book stores, and being there as another ear and voice as she tries to navigate her world.”
Audra, Big Sister
“Becoming a Big is by far one of the best decisions I’ve made. My Little is constantly surprising me with her eagerness to try new things. Having the opportunity to mentor and see her grow has been not only rewarding, but also lots of fun!”
Reyna, Big Sister
“As a Big, I’m able to pay it forward by providing my Little with some of the opportunities that I’ve been lucky to have in my life – companionship, encouragement, confidence and trust. “
Jeremy, Big Brother
“As a Big, I can commit to a consistent volunteer opportunity where I feel like I’m giving back to my community, and I’m rewarded with a meaningful relationship with an awesome Little who has so much to offer as well.”
John, Big Brother
“If it weren’t for her, I know that I would have ended up in an environment that I should not have been in.”
Little Sister
“Thanks to my amazing Big Sister, I knew from early on how important my education would be.”
Little Sister
“Now, oh my gosh, how my daughter has changed. She just has a better outlook on life.”
Family
“My son has a stronger focus on his future as a result of his match.”
Family
“My son is consciously making the right choices now to set himself up for whatever he decides to do.”
Family
“My son’s relationship with his Big Brother has had a big impact.”
Family
“My husband is gone a lot on military assignments, and I wanted our daughters to have another responsible adult in their lives that they could have fun with and talk to if they didn’t feel comfortable talking to me.”
Family
Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors
Sponsors
“Ben’s mentorship changed my life! As a long-time supporter of your organization, it’s always inspiring to see the amazing work you’re doing to support the youth in our community. Your commitment to empowering the next generation is truly admirable, and I am proud to be a part of this mission. Keep up the great work, and continue making a positive impact!”
Little Brother
“I’m really proud of the empathetic and thriving adult my Little has become. We’re so thankful that BBBS connected and supported us throughout the years.”
Big Brother Tom
Complete the online enrollment inquiry form.
Composed of high-visibility individuals and organizations, the Advisory Council provides BBBS with a lasting influence and cross-community reach. Convening at least twice per year, the group provides input on strategic issues as needed, influences others to support our mission and contribute resources, and recruits new members for our Executive Board.
Blake Absher
Broadway Bank
Executive Vice President – Austin Market President
Darrell Bazzell
The University of Texas at Austin
Senior Vice President and CFO
Kyndel Bennett
Cayetano Development, LLC
Chief Executive Officer
Ben Bufkin
Endeavor Real Estate Group
Principal
Clayton Christopher
Entrepreneur
Hector De Leon
De Leon Washburn & Ward, P.C.
Founder
Rachel Deaton
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
Greg Dettman
Southwest Courts & Floors Inc. – Sport Court Southwest
Owner
Chris Ellis
Endeavor Real Estate Group, Ltd.
Managing Principal
Gary Farmer
Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc.
President
Kerry Hall
Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
Advisory Board Member
Amy Jones
O’Connell Robertson
President
Nyle Maxwell
The Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships
Dealer Principal
Dick Rathgeber
Rathgeber Investments
President
Dr. Richard Rhodes
Austin Community College District
Former Chancellor
Lawrence Speck
Page Southerland Page, Inc.
Senior Principal
Carl Stuart
Registered Investment Advisor
Tom Taylor
Taylor Investments
Principal
The Executive Board is a group of community-focused leaders invested in improving the lives of Austin youth. Their main responsibilities involve raising funds to support our agency, reviewing and approving agency policies, and generating awareness of, and support for, BBBS.
Justin Anderson
National Football League
Social Media Marketing Director
Lara Burns Boyda
Urbanspace
Chief Operating Officer
Zachary A. Carroll, Secretary/Treasurer
RSM US LLP
Austin Audit Leader, Partner
Brandon Christensen
SHI International Corp
Enterprise Sales Account Manager
Jayna Duke
O’Connell Robertson
Principal: Interior Design Practice Leader
Denver Dunlap
Denver Dunlap Real Estate
Owner/Broker
Art Guerra
Guerra Underground
Owner
Shellie Hayes-McMahon, Chair
Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
Executive Director of Operations & Development
Pamela Hurley
Philanthropist
Nicholas Johnson, PhD
McKinley Technologies
Founder & Principal
Jason Jowers
Tokyo Electron
VP Support Services
Lonnie Limon
Dieste, Inc.
Managing Director
Albert Swantner, Past Chair
SaveDay
Chief Technology Officer
Karen Vilches
Kojo
Executive Assistant
Jason Vitanza
Shadow IT Services
Chief Technology Officer
The Foundation Board’s purpose is to oversee all aspects of BBBS’s Scholarship Program, including managing the endowment and distributing scholarship funds to institutions.
Carlos Barbosa
Wells Fargo
SVP/Loan Supervisor-Middle Market Commercial Banking
Loraine Brown, Foundation Board Chair
Vino Veritas Ventures
Founder & Owner
Kori Hattemer
Foundation Communities
Director of Prosper Programs
Brandon Jones, PhD
The University of Texas at Austin
Director for Student Learning & Development
Pamela Hurley
Philanthropist
Guillermo Martinez III, PhD
Austin Community College
Interim Vice President, Student Affairs
We’ll set up a Match Introduction meeting to get your match started!
Join other prospective mentors to learn the essentials for being a great volunteer Big!
Complete our Volunteer Application, which includes references and a thorough background check.
Learn more about the commitment and if it’s right for you. Call us at 512-442-4646 or email volunteer@bigmentoring.org.
Learn more about the commitment and if it’s right for you and your child. Call us at 512-442-4646 or email info@bigmentoring.org.
The Big Impact Group (B.I.G.) is a diverse collective of dedicated Bigs and community members who volunteer their time, talents, and energy to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas’ mission, further its programs, and establish themselves as future leaders for BBBS CTX and in our community. Together, members volunteer, fundraise, and participate in events that support BBBS CTX’s 700+ matches.
B.I.G. members enjoy many activities and benefits including:
Learn more about the Big Impact Group here.
We will be there to provide ongoing support for your match!
We’ll set up a time to get to know you so we can find the best match for you!
We’ll search carefully for a Big for your child. Try to be patient. It takes time to find a great match. Once a potential Big is found, you’ll learn about them and move forward if you approve the match.
Our top priority is the safety and well-being of your child. During our parent training, we will teach you how to keep your child safe within or outside of our program.
We will visit with you in your home or in our office. Help us get to know your child so we can find the best match for him or her.
We will introduce you and your child to your new Big. They will start spending time together and getting to know each other.