Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago pairs adult mentors with young people across Cook, DuPage and Lake counties in Illinois and in Indiana. The office is at 130 S. Jefferson St. in the West Loop. Community-based matches plan their own outings, often on weekends, while site-based matches meet at schools, community centers or workplaces after school or in the evening. The organization’s 2025 annual report says the group served 1,935 young people. Staff interview mentors, young people and parents to make matches based on interests, personality and geography.

What to know

• Mentors commit to at least one year and meet their match at least twice a month.
• Site-based mentors must be 18 or older; community-based mentors must be 21 or older.
• Screening includes fingerprinting, federal and national criminal background checks and a DCFS review.
• Adults in a community-based mentor’s household also go through background checks.
• Applications start with an online volunteer inquiry form.