Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami

While it may be impactful in some ways, this is a very unorganized nonprofit and they use the same stories over and over. It’s very rare that a good match is made and maintain. The turnaround rate is too frequent for the program specialist to efficiently maintain the match the scholarship coordinator is under qualified, and although kids do get money, it’s very unfair how it is done the CEO where did his own son the biggest scholarship which he obviously did not deserve The new VP will be the downfall of this organization

We have an African-American son, we adopted him when he was a newborn. We have followed BBBS Miami on social media for some time because we thought it might be a cool organization to support him facing his life challenges. Now he's 7 years-old, we thought it would be the ideal age for him to expand his "family", by joining BBBS programs and have more diverse role models. I was so amazed by the positive impact the programs are having on our son, that I just joined BBBS Miami as a full-time employee!

Fantastic organization that matched me with a perfect child which makes the experience easy and fantastic! They follow up all the time and have events going constantly so we have different things to do!
Kind, friendly, positive, can't get better than that!

The entire experience for me has been great. I have had the opportunity to meet a little girl that will forever be in my heart. I am very pleased with my experience and will definitely be a part of this program for a long time to come.

Well, I now have my first little brother ever. I'm an only child. So I've always looked up to adults for insights on life as I had no older brother to fill that role. For the first time, someone might be looking up to me. It's exhilarating and a responsibility, too. I have a lot to learn from my little bro who is lives in a low-income environment, but is super smart and deserves the same opportunities as any other young adult. I look forward to sharing mutual life-lesson experiences with him in his teen years and beyond. Big Brothers/Big Sisters makes that possible.

I am a volunteer with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. I've been with them for a year and i enjoy spending time with my little. She is fun and we have alot in common. This is a great organization and they do a great deal for this kids in our community.

Moving to a new city can be a difficult time. I have always had a passion for giving back to the community and was fortunate to be a part of a big family where I fell in the middle among my siblings. With being from a big family there was always someone for me to look up to and I know that not everyone has that, so I decided to be that for someone else. Big Brothers Big Sister gives me the opportunity to do just that and so far I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of having a little!

My experience with BBBS- Greater Miami was wonderful. Everyone i met at the office was very friendly and helpful. My Match specialist Priya was very knowledgeable about the program and also what it takes to be a Big. She spoke from experience and gave sound advice. She helped address my concerns and made me feel ready and up for the challenge of being a Big. I was also impressed with how closely BBBS and its staff like Priya work with the families in the community and help them find Bigs that would be the best fit for their children. This is overall a great organization and I recommend it to anyone who is ready for the challenge.

I've enjoyed my experience with BBBS. The management and staff has been extremely supportive and informative, and I've truly felt that they are 100% committed to changing the lives of the children enrolled in the program. Each time I've had a question or concern, BBBS has gone above and beyond in regards to advising me on my current situation and helping me communicate with my Little's parent. My time with my Little has been enjoyable also. Although I'm frequently frustrated with some of his bad habits, I'm confident that spending time with him has helped him see a world that he is not currently exposed to - and although slowly - he has been changing his behavior for the better. I would recommend this program to my friends and family.

I have only been involved with BBBS of Greater Miami for about a month now, and it is something that I will never regret doing. It has been an amazing experience so far, and my Little Sister is truly something special. She comes from a family of poverty, but by the way she acts and the way she dreams, you'd never know. She is only 13, but is very wise in her years because of her situation, and I know that in the future she will be extremely successful. After a month I realize that I joined the program thinking I was going to change someone elses life, but instead, she is slowly changing mine.

I've been a Big Sister for 8 years and have been matched twice. My first Little SIster just turned 21 years old in May. We were matched since she was 13 years old. My experience with Sam has been amazing. She is a part of my family and I couldn't imagine my life without her. My second match was in the School-based program. I was matched with a Little Sister that was repeating the 3rd grade because she failed the FCAT. I'm happy to report that she just graduated from the 5th grade. Being a mentor has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has taught me the real value of "time". Everyone has the ability to positiviely impact the life of a child. I thank Big Brothers Big Sisters for giving me the gift of friendship.

Shortly after I moved to Miami, I started volunteering for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Miami (BBBS). After completing grad school and starting a good job, I wanted to give back to the community and make a difference in someone else's life. I searched for various organizations and BBBS fullfilled everything I was looking for. I have been matched with my little brother T.J. for about 2 years now and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I truly enjoy spending time with TJ. Personally, I was fortunate enough to have an older brother who kept me in check, out of trouble and who gave me the friend and mentor I needed. Unfortunately, many kids do not have that luxury and it has been so rewarding to spend time with TJ and see him become more responsible in his school work as well as athletic training. BBBS did such an excellent job matching TJ and I and I am sure this will be a very long friendship! I can only highly recommend to anyone to volunteer as a big and sign up for BBBS.

I reached a point in my life where I felt I had time to volunteer. I contacted Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. I told them about myself, after a couple of months, I was matched with a delightful 10 year old girl. I always wondered how BBBS would be able to protect children from getting a "Big" who would not have the child's best interests at heart. From my experience, I quickly learned that the organization rigorously screens all potential Bigs and keeps a close eye on the relationship between Bigs & Littles. My time with my Little is absolutely the highlight of my week. Besides matching Bigs & Littles, BBBS sponsors great field trips, activities & holiday parties. BBBS is a top notch organization that makes a big difference in not only the children's lives but also the volunteer's. After spending a year with my Little, I attended her 5th grade graduation. The principal gives an award, voted on by all the teachers of a child who had risen up through a challenge and changed the most in positive way. The award is called the Phoenix Award and as the principal was describing the student before announcing the name, I knew who it was, my Little!

I have been a Big since 2005. I elected at the time to have my college organization branch of the NAACP to take on the task of community volunteerism. I feel in love with the aims and goals of Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well as see the pressing needs of funding and the recruitment of more volunteers especially men! I have been matched to my little for almost six years now and indeed it has been a pleasant and at times a rough journey due to the weathering of life. Despite my personal issues, I continue to press on with my match as well as having the assistance of my current match support specialist.

Being part of Big Brother's, Big Sisters has been a wonderful experience. My husband and I have enjoyed being Bigs and as we have been matched with the most wonderful Littles and their family. Big Brother's Big Sisters has given us a chance to not only help a child but also expeience the love and affection of a whole family. This family has become part of our extended family and we are greatful to be part of such a wonderful organization!!!!

The concept is great. There are plenty of kids out there on the border who just need a little guidance to help them out. My kid was always negative, saying he didn't like this or that. I encouraged him to try. He liked it so much he now has a new hobby - building models.

I have been a Big Brother with BBBS of Greater Miami since 2009 and have seen first hand the incredible impact that the organization makes on the Miami area landscape and especially with respect to disadvantaged kids who would otherwise likely be part of the ever growing negative statistics. As someone who was raised in one of the local communities which is served by BBBS and now as a Big Brother, I'm incredibly humbled and proud to be part of BBBS and look forward to many more years together.

I was matched with my Little Brother just over a year ago. We've gone through so much together, and many of the experiences have been thanks to BBBS and its partners/donors that make it possible for matches to attend local community events that wouldn't necessarily be within my reach to share with my Little. Some of these great activities have been going to see Cirque Eloize, going to the Miami Seaquarium, Museum of Science, Marlins' game, Dolphins' football camp, and more. When I signed up for the program, I did it so I could help a kid in my community, but I've gotten so much more than that already. My Little (10 yo) has already asked me what will happen if he loses my number when he goes to college...Like the agency says "Little moments, Big Magic".

I was proudly given a little at Pine Villa Elementary. At first I noticed my Little was 11 years old and in the 2nd grade. I quickly started working with her on her reading. We read a different book every time I met with her, which was about once a week for approximetly an hour. Her reading Improved dramatically. She quickly started moving up on her reading grade level within a few months. By the end of the year she was above her grade level in the FCAT. I also noticed my littles grades were not accepatble her first grading period. She had D's and F's in both her class and conduct. She also had 2's and 3's in effort. By her next grading period she gradually started improving. By her 4th and final report card she obtained A's and B;s and 1's in effort. I am very proud to be a big sister. I really enjoyed every minute of it and wouldn't change the program for the world!

I contacted Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami in August 1996 to express my interest in becoming a volunteer. My initial interest was in becoming a school based volunteer but the representative that I spoke to explained that as a Black male I was the least represented among Community based volunteers. I agreed to participate in the Community program and was matched shortly thereafter to a seven year old child. My match lasted eleven years and that seven year old boy is now twenty three years old, is a U.S. Army veteran and presently is pursuing a Nursing Degree. I was fortunate enough to be named Big Brother of The Year in 1998, which is the greatest individual honor that I have ever received. Big Brothers Big Sisters allowed me the opportunity to enter the life a young child who needed a friend, and thanks to their professional guidance and the variety of activities that are available for the matches, I was able to build relationships with many other volunteers. I was also able to watch young people who were not supposed to succeed become college graduates.

I cannot say enough positive things about BBBS. I have been a big brother to Antonio Menarde since 2003. He was 6 years old at the time and is now a sophmore in high school. We have shared everything together from movies to sports, school to vacation, and holidays to birthdays. BBBS has provided us an opportunity to grow together and learn from one another, and essentially Antonio has become part of my family. I highly recommend that everyone should be a volunteer with BBBS.

Wonderful organization with great match support. They are making a positive difference in the community.

I have been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2002. It is a great organization and I am so proud to be part of it. I have been matched with my little sister since she was just 7 years old (she will be 17 in August). I hope to be continue to be part of this great organization for many years to come!!

I have been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since December 2010 and I have had an incredible experience. I have not only developed a close relationship with my big, but I feel like I'm part of an amazing family. Communication is very open and I feel like I matter. I am contacted often regarding my little and how we can help him. Working together with someone else who has also taken interest in my little has been a very rewarding experience.

BBBS is an excellent organization that matches children in need of a mentor with adults interested in mentoring kids. BBBS provides excellent activities for the Big and the Little to do together such as free admission to the Miami Museum of Science, sports activities, bowling parties and the like. They also provide free tickets to movie premieres, Vizcaya and other places of interest in the community. Each Big is paired with a case manager to make sure all needs are being met.

I have been and am still actively engaged in serving the youth of our communities for many, many years. I understand completely the importance of becoming engaged and involved via hands on mentoring and or intervention by answering the call to and sharing of time with a young male or female who is truly wanting the experience, guidance, friendship and love of a "Big" ... Attending the recent Impact Breakfast certainly reinforced my feelings that I have been Blessed with an opportunity via BBBS to have a positive impact on the life of a "Little" The committment of the BBBS staff and volunteers alike, have been nothing short of awe inspiring and motivating.... My simple belief and Mantra is that "Together, we all can make Difference in the lives of our most precious resource....our Youth"Peace & Blessings, Dwayne

Since 2003 I introduced my children to the BBBS program, and they loved it. Finally about 2 years later they were matched and they loved their Big, however they are now 16, 18, & 20 years old and they still love their Big and still keep in contact. It made such a big impact on their lives, until one day I ask, (can i become a big sister) and she said of course, so I did all the paperwork and finally got an interview and as of Jan 2012 I am now a big sister and I love it. And I hope that I can make such impact on my little like my children big made on them. Shout out to Mr & Mrs. Stouffer ( we love you guys)... Thank you BBBS of Greater Miami

Big brothers and Big Sisters has helped me give something back to the community. Their process is simple and encourages continued participation. I am very happy with their work.

I have been a Big Brother for my Little Brother Darius for over 7 years. Not only has the BBBS program helped Darius immensely, it has also given me an indescribable sense of accomplishment and pride in the wonderful young man that Darius has grown into.