Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham

As an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham (BBBS) has provided positive adult role mentors for youth through its mentoring programs since 1973. BBBS is a non-profit whose main focus is empowering Birmingham area youth. BBBS’s mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The initiatives of BBBS bolster self-esteem and work to improve the chances that the youth served will achieve success in their academic, social, and family lives. BBBS of Greater Birmingham operates under the vision that all youth achieve their full potential.

BBBS serves youth between the ages of 7 and 18 and recruits, screens, trains, and matches volunteer mentors with youth. Each year, BBBS serves more than 1,300 youth in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker Counties.

BBBS programs help children achieve success by working to improve behaviors and overall attitudes typically associated with the three risk factors mentioned above. By concentrating on issues related to peer pressure, encouraging students to finish school, and by opening doors to new opportunities BBBS and its’ mentors are increasing the likelihood of youth achieving academic success, establishing/maintaining positive relationships, and avoiding risky behaviors.

Mission

To enlighten each generation about civil and human rights by exploring our common past and working together in the present to build a better future.

Highlights

• Annually reach more than 150,000 individuals through award-winning programs and services.

• Provide several free educational programs for youth and members of the community.

• Have one of the largest archives in the South with over 10,000 items.

• Worked with over 25 different partners last year to continue our mission, including The City of Birmingham, Apple, Amazon, and Regions Bank.

• Awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service (IMLS), the nation’s highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. (2007)

• First organization to receive “I AM A MAN” Award from the April 4th Foundation in Memphis, TN. (2013)