Opportunities From: Community Connect

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County seeks adults from our community to be volunteer mentors ("Bigs") for children and youth in Butler County. There are approximately 100 youth who are waiting for a mentor.

Being a mentor is about spending time with a child and inspiring them to fulfill their potential. We pair a volunteer mentor one-to-one with a child and we call this a match. Once matched, Big Brothers and Big Sisters develop friendships with their Little Brothers and Little Sisters. It’s that simple. 

Our Community-Based Bigs and Littles meet 2 to 4 times a month out in the community and the time spent together is flexible to fit your busy schedule. You can hang out in the community and go to a park, an event, a restaurant, or many other possibilities. It’s up to you and your Little! This volunteer opportunity is open to adults aged 18 and older who live or work in or near Butler County. Volunteers must be able to commit to at least one year.

CLICK HERE to apply online to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, or contact us in one of the following ways:

Text "BIG" to 513-857-1491 Email Jessica Huentelman, Engagement Specialist, at jessica.huentelman@bbbsbutler.org Call Jessica at 513-867-1227

Being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters is a fun, rewarding experience. The only thing that would make it better is to volunteer with someone you know! This is a great opportunity for couples, friends, siblings or other "dynamic duos" who want to be more involved in their community in 2023.

Big Duos are two people who volunteer together as mentors for either one or two children ("Littles"). Being a Big Duo is the same as being an individual Big Brother or Big Sister - you get together with your Little 2 to 4 times each month engaging in fun, enriching activities that you and your Little both enjoy - you're just volunteering with another person instead of alone.

Who can be a Big Duo?

Big Duos are two people who have an established, healthy relationship and are both committed to the importance of mentoring. Examples of Big Duos include:

Spouses or partners Best friends Coworkers Adult siblings Parent and their adult child

Both individuals who are part of a Big Duo must submit separate applications and complete an interview and background check. Both must live or work in or near Butler County. As with all programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters, each individual volunteer must be qualified before they can be matched with a Little. Bigs and Littles are matched based on many factors, including location, personality, and shared interests.

CLICK HERE to apply online, or email Jessica.Huentelman@bbbsbutler.org for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County is accepting applications for high school and college students to be on-site mentors for elementary-aged youth. 

Being a part of our evidence-based mentoring program is easy, and providing encouragement to children has never been more important. This is a fun and convenient way to earn valuable service hours with a nationally-recognized program while also empowering the potential of our community's youth! Volunteer opportunities are available in the Talawanda (Oxford), Hamilton, Fairfield, Edgewood (Trenton), and Lakota (West Chester) school districts.

Student mentors must be at least 14 years old and be able to commit to the remainder of the academic year. (Programs don't meet during holidays or breaks).

Here's how it works:

You will be paired with a youth ("Little") from one of our 10 participating elementary schools. This child will be your Little for the entire academic year. Once a week during the school year, you will meet with your Little for 90 minutes after school at your Little's elementary school. You will be in a group environment with other Bigs and Littles. For part of the time, you'll participate in a fun activity planned for everyone. For the rest of the time, you and your Little will get to know each other better, work on homework, or just have fun! A Big Brothers Big Sisters coordinator is onsite at all times to facilitate the program and provide support as needed.

How to get involved:

Miami University and Cincinnati State-Middletown Students: To apply to become a mentor, or to learn more, text "MU Big" or "Cincy State Big" to 513-402-0227, or email Amy.Perry@bbbsbutler.org.

High School Students: To apply to become a mentor, or to learn more, text "HS Big" to 513-857-1491, or email Jessica.Huentelman@bbbsbutler.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County seeks college students, working adults, or retirees to be volunteer mentors for teens from across Butler County.

The Big Futures Program is a career-focused mentoring program that empowers junior and senior high school students to plan for a successful life and career beyond high school. As a Big Futures volunteer mentor, you will be paired with a student and engage in activities that support that student's positive development and goals for their future.

Big Futures "Bigs" and "Littles" meet twice each month, including the option of joining educational or career-focused group outings or activities organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Such activities may include a tour of a local business or a presentation from a professional about a specific career path.

Big Futures volunteer mentors must be at least 18 years old, have reliable transportation, and be able to commit to at least one year of service. All interested mentors must complete an application, provide references, successfully pass a criminal background check and driving records check, and submit to a screening interview. Multiple employees from individual companies are welcome and encouraged to apply, as are retirees. We seek representatives from all industries, including the trades.

CLICK HERE to apply online. For more information about Big Futures, email Betsy.Thurow@bbbsbutler.org.

Do you love sports? Do you love sharing the joy and benefits of sports with young people? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County seeks adult volunteers to be mentors for youth, utilizing a shared interest in sports or fitness as a catalyst for a positive, empowering mentoring relationship.

Sports and fitness promote physical health, emotional health, positive social development, and a sense of community for individuals of all ages, but particularly youth. We are seeking adults from across Butler County who embrace the benefits of sports and fitness to be paired with youth who have expressed an interest in sports, fitness, or just being active. Through this shared interest, mentors help to inspire and empower youth to realize their potential - not just in terms of physical activity, but also in school and in life.

As a volunteer mentor in the Sports Buddies program, you will meet twice per month with your "Little" to engage in positive, fun, free or low-cost activities that enable a healthy and encouraging mentoring relationship to grow. This may include participating in a fitness-oriented activity or attending a sporting event, among other activities. Big Brothers Big Sisters organizes periodic group outings for Sports Buddies participants.

To be a Sports Buddies volunteer mentor, you must be at least 18 years of age, have reliable transportation, and be able to commit to at least one year. All interested mentors must complete an application, supply references, successfully complete a criminal background check and driving records check, and submit to a screening interview. You do not have to be an athlete, nor have any experience in organized sports, to be a Sports Buddies volunteer mentor. You just need to love sports or fitness, and care about the youth of our community! We have a particular need for men to be Sports Buddies mentors, as we have numerous boys on our waiting list.

CLICK HERE to apply online, or email Jessica.Huentelman@bbbsbutler.org.