Mentor a kid with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Get matched one-to-one with a youth ages 9-17 for outings, conversation, and consistent support. Meet 2-4 times a month for at least a year.
Why we picked this
The gold standard of youth mentoring — you're matched with one kid, meet a few times a month, and build a real relationship over at least a year. They handle the matching and support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs adult volunteers (“Bigs”) with youth ages 9-17 (“Littles”) for one-to-one mentoring relationships. You meet 2-4 times a month for activities you both enjoy — parks, restaurants, museums, hiking, cooking, whatever works. The minimum commitment is 12 months, because the whole point is consistency.
Three program formats are available. Community-Based is the classic: you and your Little meet in the community on your own schedule. Site-Based programs like Sports Buddies and STEAM Buddies convene 1-2 times monthly, often on Saturdays. The STARS program places high school students as mentors for middle schoolers during the school week.
To apply, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old. The process includes an online application, self-paced orientation training, a $60 one-time background check fee, reference checks, and an interview where they learn about your interests to find a good match. A vehicle is recommended for community-based mentoring since you’ll be picking up your Little for outings. Apply at biglittlecolorado.org/volunteer or call 303-433-6002.