BBBS-ETN, an affiliate of the nation’s premier mentoring organization, has proudly served East Tennessee (ETN) since 1970. Our mission is to create and support mentoring relationships to ignite the power and promise of youth. As a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) affiliate, we serve the area’s children and youth using expertise fine-tuned over 120 years. Our model uses extensively tested proven practices defining national standards for high-quality mentoring to defend youths’ futures and helps them reach their full potential.

One-to-One Mentoring is our signature program using an evidence-based model that is the gold standard with research published in peer-reviewed journals like The American Journal of Community Psychology. Through our program, BBBS-ETN makes and supports meaningful relationship matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and youth, age 6-23 (Littles). We provide training, resources, and follow-up support. Our professional case workers offer foundations for consistent, structured, and healthy interactions for Littles to achieve goals, build skills, and address academic and socio-emotional needs.

Site-Based: Bigs and Littles connect four (4) times monthly for up to one hour each time. They talk about classes and life; read or do homework; or hang out in cafeterias, playgrounds, or gyms.

Community-Based: Bigs and Littles connect 2-4 times monthly, at least two hours per visit. They will schedule and attend outings in neighborhoods and communities based on shared interests (sports, video games, animals, reading, etc.).

BoldPath: A Mentor, called a BoldPath Coach, is embedded into a school providing a mentor on-site for up to 40 children per mentor. This program is currently Vine Middle in Knox County with three coaches with intentions of growth.

Big Futures: This initiative focuses on serving young adults as they graduate high school and enter and persist on post-secondary pathways. Trained staff members will provide Match Support – quarterly check-in calls to ensure the Little is on track both academically/professionally and in their personal life, and to provide professional support to Bigs who will continue to walk side-by-side them.