Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor-supported volunteer youth mentoring organization, which places caring adults in the lives of children in one-to-one mentoring relationships. Through the positive impact of those friendships, children with a Big Brother or Big Sister are more likely to graduate from high school and are less likely to begin using drugs, begin using alcohol or engage in negative conflict. Our professional staff carefully works with both the volunteers and the children to ensure that the experience of Big Brothers Big Sisters is one that is dynamic, fulfilling, memorable and enjoyable for both the child and the volunteer. We offer two main programs for our volunteers; community-based and school-based. Community-based matches participate in activities in Waco you both enjoy, such as visiting the Cameron Park Zoo, playing basketball or visiting the library. Our school-based programs allow volunteers to meet with a child at their school for 30-45 minutes a week, playing board games, reading books or playing kickball. Did you know in addition to being a Big Brother/Sister, you can also be a Big Couple or Big Family? Contact us to learn more! ldevens@bbbstx.org  

Talitha Koum is a mental health therapeutic nursery for infants and children born into a chaotic and violent neighborhood where a life of early pregnancy, dropping out of high school, even drug addiction, imprisonment and early death have become the norm. To intervene and alter those outcomes, Talitha Koum offers an intensive care program combining play therapy, all-day nurture, and the proven High/Scope cognitive curriculum for birth to six-year-olds, alongside comprehensive support for parents. In addition to the work at the nurture center, Talitha Koum is currently developing training techniques that will help individuals dealing with early brain trauma and development in fragile families. To learn more, go to www.talithakoum.org or call 753-1144.