Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio logo

Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio

Ignite the Power and Promise of Youth

Meaningful mentoring relationships help young people across West Central Ohio build confidence, find guidance, and reach their full potential.

Become a Big Enroll a Little Donate Now
  • 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
  • Affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
  • Serving 6 Ohio Counties
  • Free for Families

An Affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Backed by a national network, delivered by neighbors who live and work in West Central Ohio.

Partner with us
For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community For Every Child • For Every Family • For Every Community
Our Purpose

Every young person deserves someone in their corner.

We create and support one to one mentoring relationships that give young people confidence, guidance, and a steady adult who believes in them.

Community-Based Mentoring in West Central Ohio
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.

Programs

Four ways we build strong mentoring matches

Every program is professionally supported from the first conversation through the life of the match.

  • Community-Based Mentoring
    01

    Community-Based Mentoring

    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.

    Learn More
  • School-Based Mentoring
    02

    School-Based Mentoring

    We 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 More
  • Group Mentoring
    03

    Group Mentoring

    A 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.

    Learn More
  • Ongoing Match Support
    04

    Ongoing Match Support

    Our 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 More
Impact and Process

What mentoring changes, and how a match begins

Research shows the long term difference a mentor makes. Here is the evidence, and the five steps that start a match in West Central Ohio.

2/3

Of the socio-economic gap closed

Mentored youth close roughly two-thirds of the socio-economic gap.

0%

Higher college enrollment

Reported for young people who had a mentor.

0%

Higher income at ages 20 to 25

Reported for young people who had a mentor.

Source: Harvard study on the long-term impacts of mentors.

Download the Research (coming soon)

Our local numbers

Sample figures shown while our team confirms the current totals.

01
0+
Youth served
02
0
Active matches
03
0
Schools participating
04
0
Youth on the waitlist
A mentor and a teenager playing basketball together

Become a Big

One Relationship Can Change a Future.

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.

  • Community-based Bigs are 18 and olderSchool-based mentoring is also open to high school students who want to mentor a younger child.
  • Background checks requiredEvery adult volunteer completes screening, an interview, and training before being matched.
  • About four hours a monthConsistency matters more than elaborate plans, and there is never a cost to be a Big.
Become a Big

Enroll a Little

Give Your Child Another Adult Who Shows Up

A Big is not a replacement for family. A Big is one more caring, screened, trained adult in your child's corner.

  • For young people ages 5 to 17Parents and guardians can enroll a child in community-based, school-based, or group mentoring.
  • No cost to your familyEnrollment, matching, and match support are always free.
  • Ongoing match supportOur staff stay in regular contact with your family and the mentor throughout the match.
Enroll a Little
A guardian and a young child smiling together at home
Success Stories

Real matches, real change

This is a placeholder for a match story. Once families share their experiences, their words will appear here.
Story coming soonBig and Little match, Allen County
Service Area

Six counties across West Central Ohio

Our main office is in Lima, with satellite offices in Ada and Ottawa.

  • Allen County
  • Hancock County
  • Hardin County
  • Paulding County
  • Putnam County
  • Van Wert County

Find us across West Central Ohio

Our Team

The people behind every match

Staff photographs are on the way. Until then, each team member is listed with their role.

  • Dr. Portia Smith

    Executive Director

  • Ms. LeAnn Zimmerly-Pryor

    Program Director

  • Ms. Madison Richards

    Community Engagement Specialist, Hardin County

  • Ms. Kattie Butler

    Program Coordinator, Perry Local Schools

  • Ms. Leah Green

    Program Coordinator, Shawnee and Elida Local Schools

  • Ms. Patricia "Trish" Marshall

    Program Coordinator, Allen County

  • Ms. Sarah Whited

    Program Coordinator, Putnam County Schools

Board of Directors

Community leaders guiding our mission

Our Board of Directors roster is being finalized and will be published here.

  • 01
    Board member
    Name and role coming soon
  • 02
    Board member
    Name and role coming soon
  • 03
    Board member
    Name and role coming soon
  • 04
    Board member
    Name and role coming soon
  • 05
    Board member
    Name and role coming soon
  • 06
    Board member
    Name and role coming soon
Apply to serve on the board
Events

Gather, celebrate, and support

Event details are being confirmed. Check back soon or contact us to be notified.

Community Fundraiser
Date to be announcedEvening event

Community Fundraiser

Lima, OHOpen to the community

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.

Notify me about this event Date and venue coming soon
  • Volunteer Information Night
    Date to be announced

    Volunteer Information Night

    Ada, OHAbout one hour

    A relaxed walkthrough of what mentoring asks of you: the time commitment, the screening steps, and the support you get once you are matched.

    Get event details
  • Family and Match Day
    Date to be announced

    Family and Match Day

    Ottawa, OHAfternoon, family friendly

    Games, snacks, and time together for Bigs, Littles, and their families, with staff on hand to answer questions and celebrate new matches.

    Get event details

Podcast

Conversations About Mentoring

Our podcast is in production. Episodes will feature mentors, families, and partners from across West Central Ohio.

Get notified
EPISODE 01

Episode player coming soon

Subscribe to hear the first conversation the moment it is released.

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FAQ

Questions, answered

Still unsure about something? Reach out and a member of our team will help.

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Ohio, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. We help young people reach their full potential by creating and supporting meaningful mentoring relationships.

Get Involved

Start the conversation

Tell us what you are interested in and a member of our team will follow up.

Call us(419) 222-8500Email usinfo@bbbswco.org
Offices
  • Main Office: 616 South Collett Street, Suite 103, Lima, OH 45805
  • Hardin Office: 229 North Main Street, Ada, OH 45810
  • Putnam Office: 1225 East Third Street, Ottawa, OH 45875

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.

Get Involved

Be the One Who Shows Up.

Mentor, enroll a child, give, or partner with us. Every path strengthens a young person in West Central Ohio.

Become a Big Donate Now