Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota

Everyone needs someone in their life to lift them up, encourage them, and support them - through good times and bad. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, we make sure that every kid in Central Minnesota has that someone in their life.

At BBBS, we live our mission of creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships to ignite and defend the potential of youth every day. From finding the right mentor for each kid to making sure our mentors and mentees are supported every step of the way through their match, we help local youth find that someone to hang out with, talk to, and go to when they need a little extra support.

For Andrea - the 2023 Central Minnesota Little Sister of the Year - that someone is her Big Sister, Tammy Stafford. Andrea and Tammy were matched in 2019, and Tammy noticed right away that Andrea thrived in safe, encouraging one-to-one relationships. Tammy made sure Andrea knew that she was someone Andrea could talk to, and the match has flourished ever since. “I like how being in Big Brothers Big Sisters influenced me,” Andrea said. “I like being a Little and being able to learn something new, being able to have a good role model in my life.”

Since being matched with Tammy, Andrea has also opened up more to the idea of college, and talks more about her future. “Hearing her talk positively about her future, going to college, having those goals, is really cool to hear because I take that to mean that she’s seeing what potential she has,” Tammy said.

With your support, BBBS of Central Minnesota can make more matches like Andrea and Tammy, and help youth in Central Minnesota figure out their life path - with a steady, consistent friend and mentor by their sides. Will you stand with us and help support our mission to find a match for every youth in Central Minnesota who needs one?