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Mentors model appropriate behavior, provide guidance and skill building, and offer an opportunity to motivate their mentee through interest exploration and social interaction.

Community-based mentoring matches a child with an adult volunteer in a community-based relationship.

School-based mentoring is incorporated into the school structure and meets during lunch/recess at the child's school. School-based matches are able to participate in BBBS sponsored and other community activities, but are not required to do so.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley provides age appropriate activity enhancements through our community partners that help grow the relationship and strengthen the development of the child. Enhancements involving elementary children and their mentors explore literacy, community service, health and wellness, financial literacy, and STEAM. Enhancements involving middle and high school youth and their mentors explore careers, post-secondary education, financial literacy, leadership, social and mental health, and community service.

Matches youth ages 5-12 with caring, positive, committed, adult role models. The youth (Little) and mentor (Big) meet in the community 2-4 times per month for a minimum of 4 hours and spend time exploring activities they already enjoy and trying some new ones.

Provides help to children to reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

Serves children ages 7-21 by matching them with a caring, positive adult role model. The child and mentor meet in the community and spend time doing different activities they both enjoy and/or interact on any video conferencing platform that is not observable by BBBS. The participants commit to meeting for a minimum of 4 hours in 2-4 outings per month for a minimum of 12 months. Mentors can be a Big Brother, Big Sister, or a Big Couple. (Married couple or 2 individuals in a committed relationship for 3 or more years who currently live together.)

The following programs are part of the Community Based Mentoring program and serve a specific population of children:

- Juvenile Justice – Youth in this program have had some contact with the juvenile justice system (delinquency court appearance, parole intake or actual arrest) and can benefit from a friend and role model who helps guide them as they work towards making better choices.

- Mentoring Children of Prisoners – The children in this program have one or both parents currently incarcerated. Bigs in this program can help just by being their friend and giving stability to that youth.

- Latino Mentoring – Children in this program have Latino heritage and may have Spanish speaking parents, and may prefer a Spanish speaking mentor. These matches are supported by bilingual Big Brothers Big Sisters’ staff members.

- Foster Care – Youth in foster care placements have interpersonal, developmental challenges and are vulnerable as they transition into adulthood. These youth can benefit from a friend and role model who helps guide them as they work towards making healthy choices.

- LGBTQ+ – One-to-one mentoring can help LGBTQ+ youth confront challenges and promote positive personal and educational outcomes.

Matches youth ages 5-12 with caring, positive, committed, adult role models. The youth (Little) and mentor (Big) meet in the community 2-4 times per month for a minimum of 4 hours and spend time exploring activities they already enjoy and trying some new ones.

Character and leadership development. Programs include aquatics, arts, sports, fitness and recreation, health and life skills, educational and career development, job training, career preparation, tutoring services, and age appropriate community service.

Outdoor activities, including Carter Lake Summer Camp (Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm).

Meals served. Limited bus service - call for details.

Matches youth ages 5-12 with caring, positive, committed, adult role models. The youth (Little) and mentor (Big) meet in the community 2-4 times per month for a minimum of 4 hours and spend time exploring activities they already enjoy and trying some new ones.

Offers to empower male youth to make positive life choices. Program provides participants with mentor/mentee matches, weekly group mentoring sessions, graduation ceremonies and special events. Locations vary within the Polk County area, including community and school-based sites.

Provides a re-entry program that assists individuals returning to the community from the correctional system. Assists individuals with the following:
- Learning basic skills.
- Leadership development.
- Interview preparation and job readiness.
- Group mentoring and peer-to-peer sessions.

Offers the following services:
- Case management.
- Job placement.
- Educational assessments.
- Advocacy.
- Counseling.
- Recreational activities.

Character and leadership development. Programs include aquatics, arts, sports, fitness and recreation, health and life skills, educational and career development, job training, career preparation, tutoring services, and age appropriate community service.

Outdoor activities, including Carter Lake Summer Camp (Mon-Fri 8 am-4 pm).

Meals served. Limited bus service - call for details.

Provides programs and training for youth, including:

- Life skills training

- Peer mentorship

- Career readiness

- Tutoring and after school programs

- Dance and step programs

- Sports camp

Offers professionally supported, one-on-one relationships with adult mentors. Mentors and mentees are matched by similar interests. Monthly activities and community service projects are planned for mentoring pairs to participate in. Mentors spend an average of 4-8 hour per month for a minimum of one year with their mentee.

Serves children ages 5-14 by matching them with a caring, positive adult role model. The child and mentor meet in the community and spend time doing different activities they both enjoy and/or interact on any video conferencing platform that is not observable by BBBS. The participants commit to meeting for a minimum of 4 hours in 2-4 outings per month for a minimum of 12 months.

Can also work with the various school districts within the 5 county service area if there are children in the district that would like a Big Brother or Sister. 

Provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Services include:

Reception and Placement: Meeting critical needs in the early months after arriving in the United States. IRC staff and community partners ensure newly arrived refugees are greeted at the airport, have a furnished home, receive time-limited rental assistance, have access to nutritious food, healthcare and education, and are given appropriate social services referrals.

Employment Services: Early self-sufficiency through employment is the foundation of the US Refugee Program. IRC staff and volunteers provide job readiness training, vocational counseling, resume preparation, job search and placement services, and financial assistance for basic needs with the goal of helping refugees find their first job in America. Employment services are provided to refugees for up to five years from their date of arrival.

Intensive Case Management: Some refugees face barriers that make rapid employment difficult. Others face cultural barriers that require additional training and orientation support to learn to navigate American systems independently. Still others face crisis after an initial period of stability. For those refugees, IRC provides intensive case management services for up to five years after arrival.

Financial Coaching: Financial Coaching at IRC offers new Americans and other vulnerable populations an opportunity to build their financial knowledge, skills, and assets. Through a combination of one-on-one coaching and financial education classes, IRC delivers innovative, effective programs by combining evidence-based strategies with an unparalleled ability to deliver culturally and linguistically accessible programs. As a result of these programs, people are able to build their family income and assets, contributing to the economic vibrancy of communities across America.

Can also offer youth tutoring and mentoring for those in the community that need a little extra help.

Offers a national civil rights advocacy group with branches in Iowa and Nebraska, providing mentorship programs that offer companionship, guidance, and role models for individuals who are disadvantaged due to age, income, physical or developmental disabilities, or family environment.

Volunteers (Bigs) are matched with children, teen, and young adult mentees (“Littles”) in communities across McHenry County based on their interests, skill sets, experience and any other pertinent information. The matches are then provided with support and guidance from professional match support staff.

The matches spend anywhere from 4 to 8 hours per month together, and a 12 month commitment is required.