Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio
Meaningful mentoring relationships help young people across West Central Ohio build confidence, find guidance, and reach their full potential.
Backed by a national network, delivered by neighbors who live and work in West Central Ohio.
Partner with usOur history, mission, vision, and the accountability standards we hold ourselves to as a 501(c)(3) affiliate.
Placeholder history copy. This space is reserved for the story of how Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio began, the communities that built it, and the milestones along the way. Final copy will be supplied by our Executive Director.
Placeholder values shown while our team finalizes the wording.
Placeholder description. Every match is screened, trained, and professionally supported.
Placeholder description. Every young person deserves to feel seen, known, and supported.
Placeholder description. Showing up again and again is what changes a young life.
Placeholder description. We are neighbors serving neighbors across six counties.
We create and support one to one mentoring relationships that give young people confidence, guidance, and a steady adult who believes in them.
We help young people build confidence, form meaningful relationships, and reach their full potential.
We carefully match screened and trained adult volunteers with young people ages 5 to 17. Matches spend time together in the community, building supportive relationships through shared activities and consistent encouragement.
Every program is professionally supported from the first conversation through the life of the match.
01We carefully match screened and trained adult volunteers with young people ages 5 to 17. Matches spend time together in the community, building supportive relationships through shared activities and consistent encouragement.
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02We pair high school student mentors with elementary or middle school students. Mentoring takes place in a supervised school setting and focuses on building confidence, social skills, academic engagement, and positive relationships.
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03A trained mentor works with multiple young people at a school or community site. This program provides guidance, skill-building, and positive group interaction, with the goal of developing one-to-one mentoring matches when possible.
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04Our professional staff screen participants, create compatible matches, provide training and resources, and regularly support mentors, youth, and families to help each mentoring relationship remain safe, strong, and successful.
Learn MoreResearch shows the long term difference a mentor makes. Here is the evidence, and the five steps that start a match in West Central Ohio.
Mentored youth close roughly two-thirds of the socio-economic gap.
Reported for young people who had a mentor.
Reported for young people who had a mentor.
Source: Harvard study on the long-term impacts of mentors.
Download the Research (coming soon)Sample figures shown while our team confirms the current totals.
Become a Big
Bigs are ordinary people who show up consistently. You do not need a special background, just time, reliability, and genuine interest in a young person.
Enroll a Little
A Big is not a replacement for family. A Big is one more caring, screened, trained adult in your child's corner.
This is a placeholder for a match story. Once families share their experiences, their words will appear here.
Photographs from Bigs, Littles, and families across West Central Ohio. Real participant photos are on the way.
Placeholder photo — a Big and Little out in the community
Placeholder photo — a family enrolling a Little
Placeholder photo — community-based mentoring
Placeholder photo — school-based mentoring
Placeholder photo — group mentoring session
Placeholder photo — staff and volunteers together
Every dollar you give funds the screening, training, and professional support that keep a match safe and strong. Families never pay a cent, so our community carries the cost together. Give once or give monthly, and a young person in West Central Ohio gains someone who shows up.
Donate nowSecure giving through our donation partner. One hundred percent of your gift reaches our programs.
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Support. Inspire. Defend.
Guiding Lights help fund recruitment efforts to ensure every Little has a Big.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
Sparks are the beginning of every connection — this tier celebrates donors who help start new matches.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
Bridges connect Bigs and Littles — this tier honors donors helping to sustain active mentorships.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
Match Advocates sustain the future of mentorship and ensure matches can thrive long-term.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
Major Gifts
Annual leadership giving that sustains matches and expands mentoring across our six counties.
Support impacts matches and helps expand BBBS programs — a leader in fostering community.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
A major commitment to creating lifelong mentoring impact. Your support helps expand ongoing programs and impact.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
Top-tier giving that creates transformative impact for BBBS in your community.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES
Our main office is in Lima, with satellite offices in Ada and Ottawa.
Staff photographs are on the way. Until then, each team member is listed with their role.
Executive Director
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce Portia and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeProgram Director
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce LeAnn and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeCommunity Engagement Specialist, Hardin County
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce Madison and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeProgram Coordinator, Perry Local Schools
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce Kattie and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeProgram Coordinator, Shawnee and Elida Local Schools
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce Leah and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeProgram Coordinator, Allen County
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce Patricia and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeProgram Coordinator, Putnam County Schools
Short bio coming soon. This space will introduce Sarah and the counties and programs they support.
Email MeOur Board of Directors roster is being finalized and will be published here.
County advisory members guide our work close to home. Names are being confirmed.
Event details are being confirmed. Check back soon or contact us to be notified.
An evening of food, live music, and stories from matches across our six counties. Every ticket and sponsorship helps fund background checks, match support, and program staff.
A relaxed walkthrough of what mentoring asks of you: the time commitment, the screening steps, and the support you get once you are matched.
Games, snacks, and time together for Bigs, Littles, and their families, with staff on hand to answer questions and celebrate new matches.
Event Photos
Placeholder photo — annual celebration
Placeholder photo — community fundraiser
Placeholder photo — volunteer gathering
Placeholder photo — staff and guests
Interested in sponsoring an event? Talk with our team.
Podcast
Listen to What Works for Us!, our podcast featuring mentors, families, and partners from across West Central Ohio.
Listen to the podcastGet new episodes, event news, and match stories in your inbox.
Still unsure about something? Reach out and a member of our team will help.
Four ways to give your time in West Central Ohio, plus the steps to get started.
01We carefully match screened and trained adult volunteers with young people ages 5 to 17. Matches spend time together in the community, building supportive relationships through shared activities and consistent encouragement.
Learn More02We pair high school student mentors with elementary or middle school students. Mentoring takes place in a supervised school setting and focuses on building confidence, social skills, academic engagement, and positive relationships.
Learn More03A program that encourages young people to make positive choices and develop meaningful goals. It includes scholar, volunteerism, and transitional tracks, with the transitional track supporting youth 16 and older as they prepare for life after high school.
Learn More04Ambassadors advocate for mentoring, help recruit new volunteers, and raise awareness of our work across the community. The program is open to Bigs, Littles, and anyone committed to the promise of mentorship.
Learn MoreReach out by phone, email, or the inquiry form and tell us what you are interested in.
Complete the application for the program that fits you, your schedule, and your family.
Adult volunteers complete a background check, interview, and training before any match is made.
Our staff create a compatible match based on interests, personality, goals, and location.
Staff check in regularly with the mentor, the youth, and the family to keep the match strong.
Give about four hours a month to a young person who is waiting for a mentor.
Start the volunteer formEnroll your child, ages 5 to 17, at no cost to your family.
Start the enrollment formEmployment and board service applications for people who want to lead alongside us.
Prefer paper? Download and return a physical enrollment or volunteer form.
Tell us what you are interested in and a member of our team will follow up.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 34-1369023). Contributions may be tax-deductible.
Both are being prepared for publication. Check back soon.
Our yearly summary of matches, outcomes, and finances across the six counties we serve.
Coming SoonAnnouncements, partnership news, and recognitions from Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio.
Coming SoonGet Involved
Mentor, enroll a child, give, or partner with us. Every path strengthens a young person in West Central Ohio.
Recognized for our transparency and impact.
