Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s mission is to create and support 1:1 mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of underserved, low-income youth in  Penobscot, Waldo, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Somerset counties.

We hold ourselves accountable for each child in our program achieving; higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, the avoidance of risky behaviors, and educational success.

We match children ages 5-14 (Littles) with caring, adult role models (Bigs) in 1:1 relationships offered through School/Site and Community-Based programs. Littles in our program live in single-parent, low-income homes and struggle academically, emotionally, and socially. Many are isolated, lack family support, and experience limited successes at home, school and in the community.  We match these children  with comprehensively screened, trained, and supported mentors, either an older high-school or college student or a caring adult.  These mentors provide support and guide and encourage their Littles to become confident and caring members of their family, school and community.  Our professional staff nurtures each match by providing match support to promote healthy relationship development and ensure child safety.

Our program is delivered through two models:

(1) School-Based Mentoring (SBM), which takes place in the school, and matches elementary or middle school Littles with high school or college Bigs.

(2) Community-Based Mentoring (CBM), which matches children ages 5-14 with a caring, responsible adult and they do activities in the community.  All matches meet weekly.

Programs We Fund

Success Stories.

We would like to share a letter written by one of our Big Sisters, Jana. Jana and her Little Sister Eva.

This is our match story, though we prefer to call it our “journey” because we believe for our friendship, there is no end in sight.  I was introduced to my Little Sister Eva almost  three years ago when she was 11 years old.  We hit it off, both loving animals and disliking photos of ourselves. It started off slow, but always steady. It took time for Eva to feel safe enough to share her life. She was shy, very withdrawn, and at first, unable (or unwilling) to communicate. In fact, for several months we used stickers to convey our feelings. Being a Big Sister means being there for the sad stickers, as well as the happy ones.

Today, Eva speaks openly about her struggles, and looks to me for advice. Sometimes,  she just needs me to listen. Kids want to be heard. And what a privilege it is to be on  the receiving end! Now a teenager, Eva is starting to talk enthusiastically about her  FUTURE—getting her driver’s license, graduating from high school, and all the life  milestones she previously thought not possible. I am proudly standing beside her,  helping her dream big, and giving what I can to inspire her to reach her goals!

What you might not know, is that this experience is also changing the lives of the mentors, like me. I am a better person since becoming a Big Sister. I have a realistic  understanding and endless compassion for what children live with on a daily basis.  When asked who will  stand up with kids, I proudly raise my hand. I hope you will too.