Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County is a nonprofit that empowers children to reach their full potential by creating and supporting strong and enduring one-on-one mentoring relationships throughout Madison and Dane County. We use research-based methods that have been refined and strengthened for over 50 years locally (and 100 years of operation nationally.)
Our team of professionals strives to meet the individual needs of every child by providing them with a caring, trusting adult. Through mentorship, we can help Littles where they are now, while also building them up for what's ahead. Through community-based programming, and with the help of our supporters and volunteers, we're proud to serve Madison and Dane County's youth.
We operate under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. BBBS of Dane County fills gaps by providing long-term, consistent mentoring between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles), ages 6 through 18. The positive relationships we help facilitate throughout Dane County have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.
Through concrete data collected, we know that Littles who participate in our program demonstrate increased educational success, engage in fewer risky behaviors, and have greater socio-emotional competency. (These social-emotional skills and behavioral changes are crucial for the long-term development of our Littles.) Mentoring helps young people feel connected and committed to their community, and the long-term effects of the Big/Little relationship ripple into countless areas of a child's life.
