Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa partners with select schools in Polk County. A mentor (Big) is matched with the child (Little) and visits the child at school for 30-60 minutes each week to offer one-to-one attention and extra help with school assignments. The teacher ensures that scheduled visits do not interfere with regular scheduled classes. We serve children who are in kindergarten to 5th grade in our traditional School-Based Mentoring Program.  For our Workplace Mentoring Program, we serve children in 6th to 8th grade. Each program requires that the Little and Big stay matched together a minimum of one year. 

How to be a Big

Volunteers must be 15 years old or older and complete an application, orientation and interview. We conduct background checks on each of our volunteers - criminal and child abuse - to ensure the safety of the child. To volunteer as a School-Based Big, please complete the volunteer inquiry form below or contact Kristin Pierce, School-Based & Workplace Mentoring Coordinator, at (515) 259-3138. Afterwards, we will be in contact with more information about becoming a Big.