Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success

Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Florida offer school-based mentoring through the Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success (BISS) program, designed to support students’ academic performance, confidence, and classroom behavior.

BISS takes place primarily in elementary and middle schools, where students are matched with mentors from local high schools or colleges. These student mentors not only earn valuable service hours, but also gain leadership skills, build stronger college and job applications, and experience the personal reward of making a difference in a child’s life.

Matches meet weekly or monthly during the school year, and mentors are asked to commit to at least one full academic year.

Another component of the BISS program matches adult mentors with students who are academically at risk. These relationships focus on improving grades, behavior, and school engagement. Adult mentor requirements mirror those of the community-based program (including a background check and an in-person interview) and all matches are professionally supported by trained case managers.

This program is supported by the Florida Department of Education.

Big Futures: School-to-Work & Beyond School Walls

Every young person deserves the opportunity to graduate with a plan and a mentor by their side. Big Futures is a college and career readiness initiative led by Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Florida, designed to equip youth with the tools, confidence, and connections they need for success beyond high school.

Rather than a single program, Big Futures represents a network of programs that support youth from high school through young adulthood, with skill-building and access to career opportunities. When high school students are enrolled as mentors through BBBS programs, they are automatically part of Big Futures, gaining access to exclusive scholarships and personal coaching for their own post-secondary goals.

Big Futures includes:

• School-to-Work & Beyond School Walls: Youth are matched with mentors in professional workplaces through corporate partners. Youth are transported to the company’s location where they receive structured guidance using BBBS-provided curriculum and facilitators. This program enhances workplace culture for our partners and unites employees around a shared mission of investing in the next generation.
• High School Bigs: As teens mentor younger students, they also receive additional coaching and resources to achieve their goals.
• College & Career Readiness: From single-day workshops to classroom-based experiences, youth develop the life and academic skills needed to succeed after high school.
• Post-Secondary Workforce Development: Corporate partners support youth with internships, job training, scholarships, and direct job placement to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Core funding for this program has been provided by the Florida Department of Commerce and scholarship partners.

Bigs in Blue

Bigs in Blue (also known as Bigs with Badges) is a one-to-one mentoring program offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Florida that connects youth with mentors from law enforcement, fire and rescue, military, and other first responder professions. These powerful relationships build trust, promote respect, and inspire youth to grow into confident, respectful, and resilient adults.

Mentors include police officers, sheriff's deputies, firefighters, EMTs, private security personnel, Florida Fish & Wildlife officers, Department of Corrections staff, and members of the Florida National Guard. These meaningful connections help strengthen relationships between first responders and the communities they serve.

Bigs in Blue mentoring can be community-based or site-based, taking place at schools or at first responder locations. Each local agency customizes the program to best fit the needs of the youth and the mentors.

Funding for this program has been provided by the Florida Office of the Attorney General.