Mentorship
One caring adult. One young person. A relationship that changes both.
Kids today are navigating growing pressures and often feel disconnected. A mentoring relationship brings encouragement, friendship, and belonging—creating joy for Littles and meaning for Bigs.
What Is The Youth Mentoring Program?
This is one-to-one mentorship at its simplest: a caring, reliable adult matched with a young person. Big and Little meet twice a month. They may share a fun activity or grab lunch while getting to know each other. Over time, trust grows, confidence builds, and the Little has another responsible adult supporting their well-being and success.
Littles
Jewish youth enrolled between ages 6-17 who are interested in building a lasting friendship with a caring mentor.
Bigs
Jewish volunteers ages 21+ from diverse backgrounds, fully vetted and trained to create safe, meaningful matches.
Meeting Frequency
Twice a Month
Time per Outing
2-3 Hours
Long term Impact
Infinite
Getting Started
How it Works.
Whether you’re a family looking to enroll a child or a volunteer interested in becoming a Big, the process starts the same way — you reach out, and we take it from there.
01
Join an info Session
Register for a 30-minute Zoom with our enrollment staff and other parents/guardians.
02
Apply and Meet with a Team Member
We will get to know you and your child privately and learn what you’re hoping for in a mentor. This conversation helps us find the right match.
03
Get Matched
Your child is paired with a Big based on alignment of interests, needs, strengths, personalities, proximity and more. Then the relationship begins!
01
Info Session
Attend a 30-minute information session on Zoom! This is the best way to get an overview of our agency and mentoring program.
02
APPLICATION, INTERVIEW + BACKGROUND CHECK
Through our enrollment process we learn about your interests, strengths and life experiences. This helps to create the best match.
03
Pre-match Training
We host a group Zoom training to help prepare you for your role. You also will complete an online, self-paced child safety training required by the state of California.
04
The Match!
We recommend a match based on compatibility of interests, needs, strengths and experiences. Our team helps launch the match and stays with you every step of the way!
The Power Of A Match
Decades of research from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America confirms what families already sense: when a young person has one consistent, caring adult in their life outside the home, measurable things change.
92%
of mentored youth feel more connected to a caring adult
88%
report a stronger sense of belonging
82%
strengthen their engagement in school
46%
less likely to start using drugs
Mentored youth are also 20% more likely to attend college and to earn 15% more by age 25.
The research is clear. Showing up works.
Questions? We've got Answers.
Is there a cost for families?
No. Our mentoring program is completely free for families.
What ages do you serve?
Youth can be enrolled between ages 6 and 17, but matches can officially last until the youth is 25 years old.
How are mentors screened?
Our thorough screening process includes a detailed application, personal interview, reference checks, and a comprehensive background check. Your child’s safety is our priority.
Do I need experience to volunteer?
You don’t need a specific background, training or experience. You need to be consistent, caring, and someone who cares about the well-being of youth. We provide the training and ongoing support.
How long does a match last?
We ask for a 6-month minimum commitment, but matches can last much longer. The relationship grows over time, and consistency is what makes it work.
Does my child have to be Jewish?
Both Bigs and Littles must identify as Jewish, and we welcome the full spectrum of Jewish observance and identity.
Take The First Step Toward A Meaningful Match.
Whether you’re enrolling a child or becoming a Big, our team will guide you through every step of the process.