BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EAST TENNESSEE

PROGRAMS &
INITIATIVES

Our core mentoring programs pair a Big and a child. Screening adults, support, and structure create effective mentoring and long-lasting results.

Scholarships

We are pleased to offer scholarships to support mentees in their post-secondary pathways, including two- and four-year schools, trade schools, and certificate programs. Learn more.

CORE PROGRAMS

Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful mentorship matches between volunteers (Bigs) and children ages 6 and up (Littles). We then provide the training, resources and support necessary for those matches to succeed in our Community-Based or Site-Based programs. Each match is hand-selected by our team based on shared interests, geography, and personality.
SITE-BASED

In our Site-Based program, Littles meet with their Bigs at a central location, such as a school or an after-school program. Bigs come to the site-based location once a week for 30-60 minutes at a time, often during lunch, recess, or another break. These activities are teacher-approved and provide the opportunity for Littles to participate in an on-site activity with their Big at a safe and secure location 3-4 times per month.

Expectations

The minimum age to be a Big in the Site-Based program is 15 years old, and 6 years old to be a Little. Bigs must be able to see their Littles once a week during the school year. The minimum requirement for a match in this program is one calendar year.

Knox County

  • Bearden Middle
  • Beaumont Magnet Academy
  • Belle Morris Elementary
  • Christenberry Elementary
  • Dogwood Elementary
  • Green Magnet Academy
  • Lonsdale Elementary
  • Maynard Elementary
  • Northwest Middle
  • Spring Hill Elementary
  • South Doyle Middle
  • South Knoxville Elementary
  • West View Elementary
  • Whittle Springs Middle
  • Vine Middle
  • Boys and Girls Club Haslam
  • Boys and Girls Club South Knox
  • Just Lead- Emerald Lonsdale
  • Wesley House
  • Urban Family Outreach
  • YMCA- Green Magnet
  • YMCA- Spring Hill

Blount County

  • Alcoa Elementary
  • Alcoa Intermediate
  • Alcoa Middle
  • Montgomery Ridge Intermediate

Anderson County

  • Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge

Cocke County

  • Centerview Elementary 
  • Edgemont Elementary
  • Boys and Girls Club Dumplin Valley

Tri-Cities

Kingsport:
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kingsport
• John F. Kennedy Elementary

Bristol:
• Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire

• Virginia Intermediate School
• Virginia Primary School

Johnson City:
• North Side Elementary

       
Community-Based
Our Community Based program involves Bigs and Littles participating in no-cost or low-cost activities in the community. The Big picks their Little up and takes them to participate in an activity together for about 2-3 hours at a time, two to three times a month. Outings are focused on creating purpose using the REACH concept.

REACH Activities are activities with a purpose. They are a great way to have fun and meet other Bigs and Littles while helping your Little with their identified goals and desired outcomes. REACH stands for Recreation & Social Competency, Education & Life Skills, Arts & Culture, Community Engagement and Health & Well-Being. Providing structured activities makes volunteering easier for our Bigs, improves the quality of the match and strengthens the bond between Big and Little. In other words, Project REACH helps keep Bigs and Littles together longer, resulting in more positive outcomes for children.

More than 100 community partnerships help make REACH possible through discounted services and donated tickets to sporting, cultural and recreational events.

Most REACH activities are free of charge to the Big and Little. You can help provide these enriching experiences by making a financial or in-kind donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of East TN.

See a list of Big Deals here.

Expectations
The minimum age to be a Big in the Community-Based program is 23 years old, and 6 years old to be a Little. Bigs must be able to see their Littles 2 to 3 times per month for 2 to 3 hours at a time. The minimum requirement for a match in this program is one calendar year.

PROGRAM INITIATIVES

BoldPath

BoldPath empowers students through dedicated, professionally trained mentors in schools, fostering personal and academic growth, leadership development, and individual potential in a supportive environment.

BoldPath meets kids where they’re at- the schools! This initiative was launched in response to the persistent need for mentors in schools. Full-time BBBS employees serve 60+ youth as “coaches” in one-to-one and small group settings. Coaches serve as consistent and caring adults at school. Teachers at Vine and Maynard have appreciated leaning on BoldPath coaches to solve problems and fill gaps that teachers do not always have the time to fill.

Sites:

Vine Middle Magnet School; Coach Marlon Petty

Maynard Elementary School; Coach Na’Quon Manley

Coordinator Andrejas Duerig

Big Futures

The Big Futures Program is designed to provide comprehensive support to high school students and young adults up to age 25, guiding them through key life milestones such as starting high school, graduating, and transitioning into young adulthood. By offering individualized support, the program helps youth define and pursue their unique pathways to success. Big Futures also equips mentors and families with essential resources to assist their mentees in developing the life skills necessary for successful transitions. Additionally, the program focuses on empowering young people to realize their potential, leverage their growing support networks, and confidently pursue their future goals.

Mia King, Big Futures Manager, MKing@tennesseebig.org

Questions? Contact us here!

S.T.E.M. Mentoring

Littles in this program are matched with Bigs that have careers in a S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field. This program is made possible by Arconic Foundation.

Bigs in Blue

Bigs In Blue develops strong one-to-one relationships between police officers and our Littles. The vision of the program is to provide a structure within our mission to help disarm bigotry, racism, and preconceived stereotypes at all levels. It is connecting police officers to the young people they serve, for a better appreciation of communities, families, and the adverse conditions many live with every day. Many of our agencies report very positive results from the dialogue and greater understanding resulting from these matches. There are many ways this important program can be improved and towards that end, we are establishing an agency-led task force to examine and make recommendations on how we can be advocates for change in our local communities and how this program can better serve young people.

If you would like to partner with us for the Bigs in Blue program, you can contact us here!

High School Bigs

The High School Bigs program is for potential Bigs who are currently enrolled in high school and hoping to volunteer in the Site-Based program. Bigs will meet with their Littles once a week for one hour at their Little’s elementary school, middle school, or after-school program. Personal transportation is preferred.