CHANGING PERSPECTIVES. CHANGING LIVES.

 Big Brothers Big Sisters is not your typical organization. We help children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities. And we couldn't do it without YOU.

What would happen if every child... ...graduated from high school? ...fulfilled their potential? ...was put on the right path today?

For more than 45 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. 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 6 through 18. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.  

41.6 the average length of a match in months in the Inland Northwest The national average for a length of a match is 22 months

Mission 
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.  

Vision
All children achieve success in life.

Accountability
By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community, we are accountable for each child in our program achieving:
•  higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships
•  avoidance of risky behaviors
•  educational success

Our Program Starts Something
Here is the proof! In 1995 a nation-wide scientific study of the Big Brothers Big Sisters community-based program showed that children matched to a Big Brother or Big Sister are:
•  46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
•  27% less likely to begin using alcohol
•  52% less likely to skip school
•  37% less likely to skip a class
•  more confident of their performance in schoolwork
•  one-third less likely to hit someone
•  getting along better with their families

An additional study of the school-based mentoring program has shown that of all children matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister in school:
•  58% improved their school performance
•  65% showed higher levels of self-confidence
•  55% had a better attitude toward school

Key Findings of BBBS Alumni
A 2008 Harris Interactive Research Study of adults who were formerly Little Brothers and Little Sisters culminated the following results:
•  90% agree that their Big made them feel better about themselves
•  76% learned right from wrong from their Big
•  72% are extremely satisfied with their relationship to friends
•  77% agree that their Big helped them make better choices
•  65% believe their Big helped them reach a higher level of education
•  77% did better in school than their peers
•  90% believe their Big provided stability when they needed it
•  76% learned about the importance of helping others from their Big
•  75% more likely to earn a four-year college degree

More Information
•  Agency History
•  The Cost of Mentoring
•  Meet our Staff
•  Meet our Board Members
•  Our Location
•  Join our Team