Having served this organization as a volunteer, intern, and now a member of their leadership team, I can say that this organization has been a joy to work with. Their mission to provide quality mentoring relationships to children at no cost and with professional support teams to help them succeed is why I am drawn to this organization. I have heard countless stories of exceptional mentors going above and beyond for their mentees. Simply having a supportive relationship makes all the difference for some of these kids. Our volunteers are selfless human beings who give of their time to improve the future for each child in our program which improves the future for us all.
Review from Guidestar
I've volunteered with BBBS N TX for several years, and each event is worse than the one before--so much so that the last one I tried to work will be my last. Volunteers are treated like nameless, faceless, anonymous bodies unless they're on the board of directors. I guess because they have the one 'volunteer appreciation event' that they don't feel any need to even say "thanks for coming" at the various events throughout the year. And then you end up sitting around bored instead of your time being fully utilized. They tell volunteers one thing and then you see half of their staff is in violation of THEIR "policy." One example: they told volunteers it was critical that shorts be knee length and absolutely not above the knee, yet their shorts were so short I could see cellulite in their thighs. They weren't uniforms nor did they look appropriate. Such a double standard. I don't feel my time spent with BBBS was productive nor did it make any difference in any child's life. It's far more fulfilling being a BIG if you choose to volunteer with this organization at all, which I have been also. I have no desire whatsoever to see any more of their paid staff prance around like prima donnas at their events. Why bother. I did, however, learn a valuable lesson. From now on I will ONLY volunteer with organizations that really NEED my skill and expertise to further their purpose and fulfill their mission. If my presence is not really necessary, then it's not the role for me.