Since 1965, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh has successfully sponsored more than 13,000 mentoring relationships. Our policies and practices focus first and foremost on the welfare of children and are driven by our mission to provide safe and effective Big Brothers and Big Sisters to every child who needs one.

For more than 25 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has maintained a policy that does not exclude prospective volunteers based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or veteran status.

Big Brothers Big Sisters thoroughly screens all of its volunteer applicants and may reject, at its discretion, anyone who the agency believes would not be a safe and effective Big Brother or Big Sister. The Big Brothers Big Sisters screening process, conducted by professional staff, includes a police criminal check, a Childline background check, an in-person interview, three personal references, a home assessment, and completion of volunteer training. (The volunteer screening process differs slightly for our School-based Mentoring Program.)

Big Brothers Big Sisters completely honors the individual preferences of the parent or guardian before selecting and matching a prospective volunteer with a child. A parent or guardian may reject a proposed volunteer for any reason. Once a match is made, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff provides ongoing supervision and support by staying in contact with all parties, including the volunteer, parent or guardian, and child. If inappropriate behavior takes place on anyone’s part, the match is promptly terminated.

For additional information, please contact the agency’s CEO at 412-363-6100.