The benefits of being a mentor include improved leadership skills, greater empathy, reduced stress, stronger community connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Research shows that mentors experience personal and professional growth as they help young people build confidence, resilience, and skills for success. Mentorship is not one-directional; it transforms both lives.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, we see this transformation every day. When someone chooses to become a Big (mentor), they do more than show up for a young person. They gain perspective, develop patience, and rediscover the power of human connection. Our mentors consistently report that the relationship gives them as much as they give.
Key Takeaways
- Mentorship changes both mentors and mentees emotionally, socially, and professionally
- Colorado mentors gain leadership, empathy, and purpose through connection
- Little’s experience improved confidence, academic performance, and belonging
- Even small, consistent time investments create lifelong impact
- Learn how to become a Big today →
The Ripple Effect of Mentorship
When one person shows up for a child, everything begins to shift.
Youth gain confidence, families gain support, and mentors rediscover the power of human connection. Each relationship sends a ripple through schools, workplaces, and communities across Colorado.
A mentor doesn’t replace a parent or teacher; they fill a different role: someone who listens, encourages, and believes. That trust becomes the foundation for growth on both sides.
According to MENTOR National, youth with mentors are 130% more likely to hold leadership roles later in life. But what’s less discussed is how much the mentors grow, too.
How Mentorship Changes a Young Person’s Life
For many Littles in Colorado, mentorship is the first time they have had a consistent adult outside their family who shows up with no judgment, no agenda, just support.
Through that stability, they build:
Confidence: Knowing someone believes in them changes how they see themselves. At BBBSC, 94% of Littles report feeling confident they will achieve their goals, even when facing significant barriers.
Academic progress: Mentored youth are more engaged in school and less likely to skip class. In 2025, 78% of BBBSC Littles maintained or improved their grades.
Resilience: Having someone to talk to helps them navigate stress and challenges more effectively. Research shows mentored youth are 52% less likely to skip school and 46% less likely to begin using drugs.
Social skills: Mentorship models communication, patience, and empathy. These skills build the foundation for healthy relationships throughout life.
BBBSC matches last an average of 3.6 years, providing the kind of long-term stability that produces the strongest outcomes.
Read more about youth mentoring outcomes →
How Mentorship Transforms the Mentor
Every mentor joins to give, but most stay because of what they receive.
BBBSC mentors often say that mentorship helps them see the world with fresh eyes. Spending time with a Little reminds them of patience, optimism, and the joy of small wins.
Mentors report:
Improved leadership and communication skills: Guiding a young person through challenges builds the same skills that make someone effective at work and at home.
Greater empathy and understanding: Mentors gain perspective on experiences and communities different from their own.
Lower stress and stronger sense of purpose: Research consistently shows that helping others reduces stress and increases life satisfaction.
Renewed community connection: Mentors become part of something larger than themselves, contributing to the health of their neighborhoods and schools.
It is not about being a perfect role model. It is about being real, consistent, and open to growth.
As one BBBSC mentor shared: “I started mentoring to help a kid. But I didn’t realize how much I needed it too.”
The Research Behind Why Mentorship Works
Mentorship is one of the most effective forms of positive youth intervention because it is built on consistency, empathy, and belonging.
According to Big Brothers Big Sisters national research, mentored youth are:
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 46% less likely to begin using drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 20% more likely to enroll in college
A 2025 study by Harvard University and the U.S. Department of the Treasury found that mentored youth earn 15 to 19 percent more in early-career wages than peers without mentors. Every dollar invested in quality mentoring returns three dollars in societal benefits.
When a young person thrives, the mentor learns how to help them thrive again. It is an emotional feedback loop of growth that benefits both sides.
Stories from Colorado
In Denver, A mentor named Lisa started her match, unsure if she had the right personality for it. A year later, her Little had improved grades, joined the student council, and inspired Lisa to volunteer more often.
In Colorado Springs, A retired veteran became a mentor to a 13-year-old who struggled with confidence. Their bond grew through hiking and cooking together. Two hours a month changed both their routines and outlooks.
Each story reflects BBBSC’s mission in action: consistent presence, real relationships, measurable results.
Learn how these matches begin →
Why Colorado Needs More Mentors Right Now
Across Colorado, nearly 300 young people are waiting to be matched with a mentor. Most of them are boys who have been waiting for months.
BBBSC needs mentors from all backgrounds: professionals, retirees, students, and parents who can give a few hours each month. With staff guidance, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive training, anyone 18 or older can become a Big.
In 2025, BBBSC served 1,641 youth across the Denver Metro and Pikes Peak regions. Our volunteers contributed 46,416 hours of mentoring, valued at nearly $1.8 million.
If mentoring does not fit your life right now, donations help create and support these matches, ensuring no child is left waiting.
How to Become a Mentor Through BBBSC
Volunteering with BBBSC is clear and rewarding:
- Apply online through BBBSC’s secure portal.
- Complete a background check to ensure safety for all participants.
- Attend training on child safety, goal-setting, and relationship building.
- Get matched with a Little based on shared interests, location, and availability.
- Receive ongoing support—BBBSC staff check in regularly, provide resources, and celebrate milestones.
Bigs typically dedicate four to eight hours each month, yet the impact lasts a lifetime. By stepping up, you become a Defender of Potential: someone who champions youth so they can thrive.
Two lives. One connection. Endless impact.
The benefits of being a mentor extend well beyond the mentee. Bigs gain empathy, leadership skills, and a profound sense of purpose, while Littles discover confidence, resilience, and academic momentum. In every match, BBBSC’s BRAVE values come to life: Belonging, Resilience, Accountability, Vision, and Empathy.
Now is the time to experience mentorship’s transformative power. Whether you become a Big, enroll your school in the STARS program, or support BBBSC through donations, your involvement fuels a statewide movement to ignite the power and promise of Colorado’s youth.
Related Programs: Community-Based Mentoring | School-Based Mentoring | Sports Buddies | View All Programs
