EVERY CHILD
HAS POTENTIAL

BECOME A BIG

Apply to become a Big and mentor a child in your local community.

DONATE TO BBBS

Support mentoring financially and help place a mentor in the life of a child.

ENROLL A CHILD

Enroll your child to be matched with a caring adult mentor in your local community.

STANDING TOGETHER TO DEFEND POTENTIAL

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has been transforming the lives of children since 1970. We are a member agency of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, consisting of nearly 250 agencies nationwide.

Making a BIG impact in LITTLE’s lives. Our vision is that all children achieve their full potential.

Our mission is to create and professionally support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of East Tennessee youth.

To learn more about our impact, check out Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s impact reports here.

I want to…

MEET OUR MATCHES

CREATING FRIENDSHIPS,
CHANGING FUTURES.

There are over 400 active matches in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and each one of them has a story. Take a minute to get to know just a few of our amazing Matches here.

Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year- Peter and Amari

Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year- Peter and Amari

Big Brother Peter and Little Brother Amari were originally matched in April 2018. Amari and Peter’s friendship highlights the transformative power of unwavering support and genuine connection. Amari’s mother enrolled him in BBBS when he was seven years old because she wanted him to have a better idea of what the world has to offer. Growing up in a single-parent household, Amari faced challenges, including limited time with his mother who worked multiple jobs. Despite struggling academically and socially at times, Amari’s warmth and intelligence shone through. 

Initially, Amari faced significant difficulties in school, feeling unmotivated and frequently in trouble. Over the past five years, Peter has provided essential guidance, encouraging Amari to strive for success, assisting with homework, and discussing the importance of good choices. Their conversations helped Amari improve his behavior, particularly during a challenging transition to a new school that led to better grades and relationships with other students and teachers. 

Their bond deepened through shared interests, particularly soccer and basketball, and remained strong despite Peter’s life changes, including marriage and fatherhood. Communication became vital during the COVID pandemic when they stayed connected via FaceTime calls. 

As their relationship evolved beyond mentorship, Amari became part of Peter’s family, sharing joyful experiences at Big Brothers Big Sisters events. Ultimately, their connection serves as a testament to the profound impact of mentorship, shaping not just individuals but entire communities and providing hope within the Big Brothers Big Sisters network. 

%

of littles feel like they belong

%

of littles have more confidence

active matches in 2023

new matches made in 2023