Mission, Vision, and Values — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado

Every Child Deserves a Champion

Together, We Defend Their Potential

Our Mission is Simple

Igniting the Power and Promise of Youth

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is to create and support mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, we are committed to building life-changing connections that ignite the power and promise of youth. Through our one-to-one mentoring programs and our school-based peer mentoring program, we create meaningful, relationships that empower young people to overcome challenges, build confidence, and pursue their dreams. Whether matched with an adult mentor or paired with a peer mentor at school, youth receive consistent guidance, encouragement, and a foundation of trust that helps them realize their full potential.

At BBBSC, mentorship is a powerful pathway to a brighter future. By standing with youth, we break barriers, open doors, and inspire lasting growth. Every mentoring relationship is intentionally built and supported to help young people thrive with confidence and resilience.

Our Vision is Clear

All youth achieve their full potential.

We envision a world where every child has the support and mentorship they need to thrive. Our goal is to ensure that all youth, regardless of their circumstances, have the resources and relationships necessary to reach their full potential.

We believe that when young people feel seen, heard, and empowered, they become confident leaders, changemakers, and contributors to a stronger community.

Our Values

The Heart of Every BIG Connection

Belonging

We value the acceptance of all, the celebration of unique differences, and the uncompromising inclusion of all perspectives. We work to ensure that all youth, regardless of background, have the support and resources they need to graduate high school, explore career pathways, and achieve success in life.

Resilience

We value and recognize the remarkable resilience of youth and families and the ability of our community to work together to overcome obstacles and adapt to challenges.

Accountability

We value transparency and uphold our commitments to the community and each other with integrity. Through taking ownership of our actions and their impact, we intentionally steward relationships and the resources entrusted to us to achieve our mission.

Vision

We value the ongoing evaluation and evolution of the agency to maximize our impact. We innovate with imagination and wisdom, transcending current notions of what is possible.

Empathy

We value leading with empathy and believe unconditional kindness has the power to form genuine connections and build community. We approach all interactions with authenticity and compassion to create mutual respect and understanding.

Our History

A Century of Mentorship & Impact

As part of the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages nine through young adulthood in Colorado.

1918

In 1918 Claude Blake, Chief Probation Officer in Denver, saw wartime conditions cause an increase in lawlessness amongst boys in his community. Recognizing that these boys needed guidance more than critics, Blake established Big Brothers of Denver.

1921

Big Sisters movement was active in Denver from 1921 until about early 1964. A few years later, in the spring of 1969 Big Sisters of Colorado began as a program out of the Southwest Community Center.

1967

Big Brothers Big Sisters-Pikes Peak was formed in 1967 as a program of Family Counseling Service. Later, the program became affiliated with the Pikes Peak YMCA.

1996

In 1996 Big Brothers of Denver merged with Big Sisters to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Colorado.

1997

In 1997 it became Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Inc.

2001

In 2001 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Inc. merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters-Pikes Peak.

We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Your Story Matters—Inspire the Next Generation

Were you a Big or a Little? Your journey can inspire others to step up and make a difference. Whether it’s a moment that changed your life or a lesson that shaped your future, we want to hear from you.