Volunteer to start something

School-BasedAs a school-based Big Brother or Sister, you meet at a local school, close to your workplace or home, three to four times a month during the school year. Together, you enjoy lunch and recess time with your Little Brother or Sister. This is not a classroom program, and it's not tutoring – it’s about being a friend to a child.

Learning about life

The School-Based Mentoring Program is a perfect fit for an individual with a busy career and/or children. There are various participating schools around the Oregon and Southwest Washington area, making it an easy way to fit some fun into your schedule. Click on the map below to learn more about the locations near you.

Become a Big Brother, Sister or Couple
Learn about the Teen Big Program 
Learn about the Community-Based Mentoring Program
Review the Volunteer FAQs


Although it takes place at schools, the program isn’t limited to the classroom. Of course, while some Little Brothers and Sisters will talk to you about class and homework, it’s perfectly fine to just play on the playground. At the end of the day, it's really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring your Little Brother or Sister to reach their potential. 

A proven model

It may sound obvious, but sometimes the best place to help a child realize their potential is at school. Our school-based research found that after just five months of meeting with a Big Brother or Sister for one hour per week:

  • students’ overall academic performance improved in three subjects
  • they had fewer unexcused absences, and
  • fewer instances of misconduct.

      And the impact does not stop with the children we serve. With three Big Brothers and Sisters per classroom, the grades of the entire class improve. With 20-40 Big Brothers and Sisters per school, the achievement scores of the entire school increase.

      Read our Nationwide School-Based Mentoring Study.

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      View school-based locations in a larger map

      Green: School-Based (adult only) and Blue: School-Based (adult only) and Teen Bigs

      For more information about becoming a school-based Big Brother or Sister, contact Thomas R. Lapierre, MSW, school-based manager, at thomas.lapierre@bbbsnorthwest.org or 503.943.5786.

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