About Us
For 120 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities.
Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 5 through young adulthood in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
Locally, New Jersey is proud to have six BBBS agencies serving every county in the state. Joining in a spirit of collaboration, these form the New Jersey State Association of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The six state association agencies are dedicated to expanding services, ensuring every child who needs and wants a mentor has one. Together, through collaboration and investment in mentoring initiatives, young people can access the tools and opportunities they need to become thriving members of a more equitable and prosperous society.
At BBBS, we know that mentorship changes lives. Now, groundbreaking research shows that a caring mentor can impact a young person’s present and shape their future for years to come.
Key Findings:
- College Enrollment: Littles are 10% more likely to enroll in college after high school graduation, contributing to reduced poverty, greater economic stability, and stronger communities.
- Economic Mobility: Littles enter the workforce earning more than their non-mentored peers, with a 20% higher income between the ages of 20 and 25.
- Closing Socioeconomic Gaps: Mentorship closes two-thirds of the socio-economic gap for Littles compared with non-mentored young people.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America recently released the economic impact study, The Long-Term Impacts of Mentors: Evidence from Experimental and Administrative Data, that provides rare insights using data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Harvard University. This research validates what we’ve long believed: mentorship positively influences young people’s behavior, education, and labor market trajectories. This research underscores the urgent need to expand our reach. With your support, we can scale this proven model to impact even more lives.