Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta

During this unprecedented time, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBSMA) is innovating and adapting our service model to ensure kids stay virtually connected to their mentors. Across metro Atlanta, vulnerable children and families are facing increased anxiety, stress, fear and worry. The young people we serve are likely to bear the heaviest burdens of trauma and economic fallout. 

In this time of social isolation, when children are at home and don't have the supports of the school environment, interaction with a caring adult is critical. This is especially true for children who may have experienced trauma in the past, or are currently living in challenging circumstances, as are many of the children served by BBBSMA. Isolation and anxiety can trigger traumatic experiences and cause significant difficulties. 

We have had to cancel many of our annual fundraising events, and one of our Board members has generously allowed us to repurpose his event sponsorship into a COVID-19 grant and will be matching all Giving Tuesday donations up to $3,000.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, our Big Brothers and Big Sisters go above and beyond to help their Little Brothers and Little Sisters live up to their full potential.  They are the reason that in 2019, 95% of our seniors graduated from high school on time and 97% reported plans to pursue post-secondary education or the military.  

And they are staying out of trouble -- 97% avoided the juvenile justice system in 2019. 

It costs Big Brothers Big Sisters about $1,500 per year to make and support each of our mentoring matches. Here is what your support can do for Atlanta's children:

• $25 per person allows a Big and Little to attend the annual picnic
• $50 funds one Little's attendance at a Mentoring Towards College workshop
• $80 allows one Little to attend a STEAM workshop to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and math careers
• $130 covers the cost of an expanded background check for potential volunteers
• $150 funds a graduating Senior Little's attendance to the annual Graduation Celebration, along with their Big and family
• $560 provides professional match support and coaching for one year
• $800 covers the cost to identify, recruit, and enroll one new Big into the program
• $1,500 supports a Big/Little match for one year