Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee

When I was a senior in high school, I found out about the Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee. I had the amazing opportunity of serving as a Big Sister for two amazing girls that did not have a great home life; not only did I have the opportunity to impact their lives, they had a huge impact on my life.

What is Big Brothers Bring Sisters of East Tennessee? It is a mentorship program that pairs an adult volunteers (the Bigs) with a child (the Little) who needs one-on-one time/extra care. They have several different programs: 

• Site based: This program is based solely in the child's school system. They visit them at their school and their main focus is on empowering the child to realize their full academic potential; However, just because they are more focused on academics doesn't mean they ignore how their home life is. During their meetings, the Littles can use their Bigs to help them with homework, shoot some hoops, create art, or anything that fits their needs. 
• Community Based: This program takes place in the setting that the title says: the community. The Bigs responsibility is to meet with their Little in the Little's community and engage with them via recreation, education/careers, arts/culture, civic engagement, or health and fitness. This program encourages a longer, stronger relationship between the Big and Little. 
• Mentor 2.0: This program focuses on those in high school who may be a first-generation college student. The Bigs work with their Little to prepare them to enter college by helping them have a successful high school career. They meet up 8 times per year at Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored activities and during the rest of the time they communicate through email and establish professional etiquette. 
• Bigs in Blue: This program connects a local police officer with a child in order to build trust and strong relationships with the law and that child/their community. 

This program is a great way to flag at risk children and to motivate, support, and nourish them to realize their opportunities and abilities.