Volunteer as a Youth Mentor.
Santa Cruz children are waiting for you to become their "Big"

Our volunteers come from all ages and backgrounds. They simply want to make a difference and have fun at the same time. Your time, friendship, and good company can change a child's life...and yours too. Youth mentoring is your chance to become an encouraging friend and role model to a child who needs you in their life.

Your caring personality and commitment to helping others is the cornerstone of youth mentoring. There are dozens of kids in Santa Cruz County waiting for you to volunteer as their Big Brother or Big Sister. Most of our Littles come from single-parent families and they are between the ages of 7-14 years old. Experience has shown us that children matched with caring volunteer mentors develop an amazing sense of belonging and renewed self-confidence. They enjoy better communication skills in their personal life, and improved performance at home, at school, and in the community.

What does it take? Hang out for a few hours, talk, and share your life experience. Have fun, laugh, and be a kid again. Every match becomes as unique as the people in it. You will be amazed at the difference you can make in one person's life. LEARN MORE about how you can become a Big Brother or Big Sister today!

Mentor for a Brighter Future…

Fall Fun at Camp Campbell The YMCA hosted the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Camp Campbell again this September. Volunteers, Little Brothers, and Little Sisters enjoyed a day packed with activites including swimming, archery, hiking, rope climbing, basketball, and the exciting climbing wall and zip line.

The 17th Annual Event was a sailing success! “Day on the Monterey Bay Regatta,” was held on Sunday, August 17th, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County. Together we raised more than $53,000 for our youth mentoring program! Thank you to our sponsors, participants, and supporters. We had 41 boats enter the regatta and more than 300 people participated in the sailing race. Please visit our Regatta page for photographs and results of the race. Congratulations to Linda Garner, a former Big Sister, who won the grand prize of a $3500 Hawaiian vacation package.

DONATE TODAY! Support future matches and help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County continue to serve children in our community. You donation is tax deductible!