Subscribe

A Publication of WTVP

Community Impact

Mission
To create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Vision
All youth achieve their full potential.

As the nation’s leading youth mentoring organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters operates under the belief that inherent in each child is incredible potential. We aim to empower, ignite and defend that potential. We make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages five through young adulthood, in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton and Knox counties.

In the Community-Based program, Bigs and Littles spend time together out in the community doing activities that they both enjoy, like playing sports or baking a dessert together. In the Site-Based program, Bigs visit their Littles at school during lunch, where they typically play games, work on homework, or simply chat about how things are going at home and at school.

In both programs, we ask that Bigs commit to spending time with their Little two to four times each month for a minimum of one year. Matches can remain open for several years, and in some cases they may remain open until the Little turns 18 or graduates high school.

While children in our program come from all walks of life, we typically serve children who come from single-parent or low-income households, or those who need some additional guidance. By participating in our programs, children are more likely to achieve academic success; have better relationships with their family, peers and school staff; have greater self-confidence; avoid risky behaviors (drug and alcohol use, violence, etc.); and have higher aspirations for their futures. Our programs have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

How to Help
Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for volunteers to participate in our Community-Based and Site-Based programs. In both programs, we ask volunteers to commit to visiting their Little two to four times each month for a minimum of one year. To become a Big, potential volunteers should visit our website or call our office for more information.

Apart from our programs, volunteers may inquire about joining our Board of Directors or young professionals group, Leadership Council. Finally, for those who have the resources but not the time, we have a recurring giving program called Invest BIG for donors that may be interested in providing sustainable funding. More information about Invest BIG can be found on our website.


Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters
1020 S. Matthew Street
Peoria, IL 61605
(309) 637-1771
hoibbbs.org
[email protected]

Facebook: @hoibbbs
Instagram: @hoibbbs

Jami Truelove, President and CEO
Sydney Daniels, Director of Development
Melanie Hoog, Quality and Design Director
Hannah Daly, Program Manager
 

Events

Search