Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is offering local high school students the opportunity to become rock stars in the eyes of elementary or middle school students in the area. Upcoming juniors and seniors, who join the organization's High School Bigs program, can mentor younger children and develop long-lasting life skills that will serve them throughout college and beyond.

High School Bigs cultivate leadership skills and enhance their futures by spending about an hour a week with a student near them. BBBSWNC is recruiting Bigs for the 2025-26 school year.

The school-age children, many with behavioral, academic, or other social needs, are referred to BBBSWNC by school counselors, teachers, social workers or other school personnel. Teachers have said children mentored by High School Bigs have improved their academic performance, decreased serious school infractions and reduced the number of school days missed.

“I have guided my Little Brother through life’s challenges by just being a dependable face,” said former High School Big Harper (in keeping with agency protocol meant to protect a Little’s identity, BBBS typically identifies Littles and Bigs by first name only). “We challenge each other with card games, board games, sports and—my favorite— making paper airplanes. Although we have a lot of fun, we also work on schoolwork. High School Bigs like myself find gratification in helping our community by mentoring young students.”

“Bigs” meet their “Littles” at the younger person’s school weekly. They spend their time together helping elementary school students with classwork, reading and engaging in a variety of activities that expand their interests, confidence and social skills. BBBSWNC supports High School Bigs by suggesting activities, such as starting a scrapbook, making family trees, reading books together and exploring careers and colleges online.

The mentors, while developing leadership and compassion skills that enhance college and later job opportunities, are asked to attend regularly and on time to provide their Littles with ample attention and encouragement. Listening, not “preaching,” works best with kids, Bigs have found, as do respecting lifestyles, reinforcing successes, tolerating frustrations and communicating at their Little’s level.

Bigs are encouraged to respect school policies and guidelines while championing their Littles' learning, without imposing their values or solutions. Teachers are often happy to supply homework aids to help Bigs bolster their Littles’ academic success.

And as always, High School Bigs, during the 2025-26 school year, will receive lots of help and support from their BBBS program coordinator.

To learn more, visit www.bbbswnc.org/becoming-a-big