Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma builds and supports one-to-one mentoring matches between adult volunteers and local youth. The nonprofit works from five regional offices, reaching young people in several parts of the state.

What it offers

• Carefully made one-to-one mentoring matches for children
• Ongoing support from staff who guide each match over time
• A presence in five regions, including the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas
• A steady, encouraging adult relationship for the young people served
• Screening and preparation that help matches succeed

Who it is for

The program pairs children who could benefit from a mentor with screened adult volunteers. It is a good fit for families who want a positive role model in a child life, particularly during years when an extra source of encouragement can make a real difference. On the volunteer side, it suits adults ready to give consistent time to a young person and to build a relationship that lasts. With offices in several regions, families in the OKC, Tulsa, Norman, Stillwater, and Bartlesville areas can take part. Enrollment criteria and volunteer requirements are detailed on the official site.

The program pairs children who could benefit from a mentor with carefully screened adult volunteers, and the specific enrollment criteria for children, along with the requirements for volunteers, are detailed on the official site. Geographically, families can take part wherever the five regional offices reach, which includes the Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Stillwater, and Bartlesville areas, so a household should first check that its community falls within one of those service regions.

Getting started

Parents can enroll a child through the Enroll section of the website or by calling statewide enrollment. Staff explain the matching process, gather background about the child interests, and describe the support that surrounds each match once it is made. Adults interested in volunteering use the same channels to begin the screening and matching steps, and the organization is glad to answer questions before anyone commits.

What families can expect

Families can expect a thoughtful matching process rather than a quick pairing. Staff gather background about a child’s interests, screen adult volunteers, and make one-to-one matches with care, then stay involved to support the relationship as it grows over time.

Parents can also expect the program to reach across several regions. With offices serving the Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Stillwater, and Bartlesville areas, families in those communities can take part, and the organization is glad to answer questions before anyone commits. Enrollment criteria are detailed on the official site.

Because a strong match takes time to form, families do well to see it as an ongoing relationship rather than a short program. Staff support the pairing along the way, so parents can raise questions as they arise, and a household with more than one child can ask how enrollment works for each and how matches are made. Because the organization stays involved after a match is made, parents are not left on their own; staff check in, offer suggestions, and help the relationship settle into a comfortable rhythm over the first months. That ongoing support is part of what helps a match last.

Starting is straightforward. Parents enroll a child through the Enroll section of the website or by calling statewide enrollment at (918) 744-4400, and adults interested in becoming mentors use the same channels to begin screening. Staff explain the matching process, gather background about the child’s interests, and describe the support that surrounds each match once it is made, and they are glad to answer questions before a family or volunteer commits to anything.

Frequently asked questions

How does the matching work?

Staff gather background about the child, screen volunteers, and make one-to-one matches with care. They then stay involved to support each match over time.

Where does the program operate?

It works from five regional offices serving the OKC, Tulsa, Norman, Stillwater, and Bartlesville areas. Families in those communities can take part.

How do I enroll my child?

Use the Enroll section of the website or call statewide enrollment to begin. Enrollment criteria are on the official site.

Can I volunteer to be a mentor?

Yes. Adults ready to give consistent time can begin the screening and matching steps through the same channels. The organization answers questions first.