Big Brothers Big Sisters, a program of the Ithaca Youth Bureau, is a well-established social services organization dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship in the Ithaca, NY community. The organization pairs children and teens (“Littles”) with caring adult mentors (“Bigs”) to foster positive, one-on-one relationships that support personal, academic, and social growth. Grounded in research-based practices, Big Brothers Big Sisters provides long-term mentoring experiences designed to help young people build confidence, develop communication skills, and set goals for the future.

Unique in its commitment to individualized support, the program carefully matches mentors and mentees based on shared interests, personality traits, and cultural considerations to ensure strong, lasting bonds. Volunteers receive training and ongoing support, and families are actively engaged throughout the mentoring journey, creating a holistic support system for every child. The organization also partners with local schools, businesses, and community groups to broaden its impact and ensure accessible services for diverse populations. As a local affiliate of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America network, the Ithaca program benefits from decades of proven success in youth mentorship and community engagement.

Key Services:

– One-on-one youth mentoring programs
– Community-based and school-based mentor matches
– Long-term mentor-mentee relationship support
– Volunteer training and ongoing guidance
– Family engagement and support services
– Collaborations with local schools and youth-serving organizations
– Specialized mentor matching considering cultural and emotional needs
– Youth development through goal-setting and confidence building