Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Midlands

Mission: To create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands helps children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities. We couldn’t do any of it without you. For more than 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As an affiliate of the nation’s largest donor-and-volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters creates and supports meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children, ages 7 through 25, across the Omaha and Lincoln areas in Nebraska and Council Bluffs in Iowa. We develop positive friendships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

To learn more or become a mentor, go to bbbsmidlands.org!

We have two programs, MentorU, and our Community-based program. 

Mentor U Program: 

MentorU provides screened and trained volunteer mentors to high school youth enrolled in an academic enrichment class to keep students on track for graduation and success.  The objective is to help high school students develop personal, academic, and career skills.

Class Sessions: Students attend weekly class sessions led by the MentorU Program Coordinator to learn the week’s curriculum.

Communicate: Mentors respond to weekly messages from students with prompts based on that week's topics.

Monthly Events: Students and mentors meet at the student's high school 7 - 9 times in the academic school year to work through interactive activities.

Staff Support: Each match is supported by a Big Brothers Big Sisters MentorU Program Coordinator, who provides coaching, resources, and guidance throughout the match's duration.

The Impact: After being matched in the program for several months, youth begin to show improvement in the following: -76% improved academic performance -96% improved self-esteem -88% plan to go to college -93% avoided alcohol, drugs, and/or physical violence

Community-based Program: 

Program Details:

Become a community-based mentor and spend time with a youth in your community doing activities you both enjoy. We have dozens of kids on our waitlist right now--support a youth in need by becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple today!

* Meet your Little at least two times a month or at least four hours a month; commit to your Little

* Commit to your Little for at least 12 months.

* Matched with youth (aged 7-14) based on location, interests, and expectations.

* A Match Support Specialist will check in with you regularly to coach and help as needed. Requirements:

* Must live in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro or Lincoln area * Must be a high school graduate or have a GED.

* Must be at least 19 years of age.

* Must have a valid driver’s license & car insurance.

* Must have your own personal vehicle.

* Complete a background & reference check.

[We serve the following counties: Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Saunders, Washington County, Lancaster, and Seward in Nebraska and Pottawattamie & Mills County in Iowa.]