“What I like best about being a Lunch Buddy is that I already eat lunch, but now I get to share that time with someone who enjoys it just as much as I do. It' the highlight of my week. When else do you get to enjoy recess during the work day?”

             — Big Brother Ken

Community Based Mentoring

Community-based mentoring is our traditional program, and the most flexible. One adult and one child, carefully screened and matched, plan activities together several times a month on their own schedules. We don't tell them what to do or when, we just ask that they do it together. While throwing a ball, reading a book, or just picking up the laundry, Bigs and Littles develop a special relationship with lasting impact.

Community-based mentoring can happen wherever the adult and child are. We have hundreds of matches in every county - and hundreds of boys on our waiting list. We need male volunteers for these children. Right now girls who want a Big Sister can be matched quickly. We also have a Big Couple option (husband/wife, father/son, etc.) where you and another older family member can mentor a child.

Site-Based (also known as Lunch Buddy) Mentoring

Site-based mentoring programs support elementary and middle school children by sending adult and high school volunteers to meet with them at their schools. Caring adults agree to spend 1 hour a week during lunch with a Little Brother or Little Sister to whom they are carefully matched. This is not a tutoring program: Bigs and Littles can eat lunch together, read in the library, play on the playground, or just talk. They meet once a week at an assigned time during the school yearand can write to each other over the summer.

Mentoring Children of Promise

Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) is a program that was developed to meet the unique needs of children with incarcerated parents/guardians. Much like the Community Based Mentoring program, the MCP program matches a child with an adult mentor to spend time together on a schedule that works for them. The match is expected to meet a couple times a month where they can enjoy each other's company or engage in various activities such as attending sporting events, baking, going to the movies and more. Children in the MCP program often experience economic, social, and emotional burdens - all of which are taken into consideration when making a suitable match with a mentor. This program is focused on giving attention to the needs and behaviors of the child to encourage them down a road to a healthy and successful lifestyle. Click here to learn more

Sports Buddy

Sports Buddies attend games, go to practices, play ball and share their love for sports in a variety of ways. Matches last for 6 months, with the option to continue longer after that time. The program provides a unique opportunity for sports fans to share their expertise or love with a child in a variety of ways. It is open to volunteers and children in each of our eight counties. Free and reduced price tickets are available to all home games of the Fort Wayne Wizards, Fort Wayne Freedom, Fort Wayne Fever, Komets and all IPFW athletic events. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours, two times a month for six months.

Arts Buddy

The Arts Buddy program connects Littles and Bigs who have a common interest in the arts, whether it be crafts, painting, drawing, music, or simply enjoyment in visiting local art venues. BBBS provides Arts Buddy matches with tickets to nearly 20 various events and venues, such as the Botanical Conservatory, museums, concerts and more. Arts Buddies is open to volunteers and children in each of our eight counties, but most of the free ticket offers provided through BBBS are for events and venues in Allen County. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours, two times a month for six months.

First Friends

The First Friends program serves youth waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister with museum trips, volunteer gardening, pizza parties and movie nights. Each month, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff plan a variety of outings and First Friends Volunteers provide transportation and companionship for two or three children. The mentors and children enjoy community service, educational and recreational activities. Events are planned throughout the day and evening to provide a variety of opportunities for our volunteers’ schedules. Program activities also help our case management team assess the youths' social and emotional development for eventual matching purposes. Time Commitment: Varies to suit volunteers’ schedule for one year.