Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada

What's Happening

We Moved!

In case you haven’t heard, we have moved! We purchased a building at 600 Mill Street, we have moved out of the Foster Drive office, and are working to settle into the new space. We can’t wait to welcome you into the space, host Match activities, Big roundtables, trainings, & so much more.

Actor and Avenger Jeremy Renner renovates decommissioned shuttle into mobile recreation center for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada on his new show, Rennervations, now streaming on Disney Plus!

Actor Jeremy Renner headlines a new show, Rennervations, which premiered April 12th on Disney +. In the show, Renner finds new purpose and life for his fleet of old decommissioned government vehicles and transforms them with a team of skilled builders to serve youth populations around the world. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada is a featured nonprofit partner and recipient of one of the buses in the third episode of Rennervations. For BBBSNN, Renner and his team take a former airport shuttle and create a mobile recreation center for the organization. The new bus is complete with a basketball hoop, soccer goal, tables with art supplies, a computer lab, and even a 3-D printer – and BBBSNN Littles had a blast filming with Renner and his team! This bus will be a fantastic resource to help the organization better serve youth in rural Nevada communities where youth activity options are limited.

BBBSNN is thankful for Renner’s generous contribution and his support of the northern Nevada community, in Reno/Sparks and beyond. This resource will help the organization expand service areas further into Fernley and Carson City, giving Bigs and Littles in these areas fun activities to do year round! On behalf of our staff, volunteers, and families, we extend deep gratitude to Jeremy Renner, Disney, and Lavazza Coffee for making this possible and serving as defenders of potential for the youth in our community. 

Little Brother Carson and Big Brother Tanner

Carson, 12, and Tanner were matched in January 2020. These two enjoy discussing life and school, riding bikes at Rancho San Rafael Park, jumping at Fly High, and singing and…

Match Story: Little Sister Isabell and Big Sister Diane

Little Sister Isabell, 17, and Big Sister Diane were matched in April 2015. It was…

Match Story: Little Sister Brendalynn and Big Sister Melina

Little Sister Brendalynn, 12, and Big Sister Melina were matched in March 2019. Their favorite…

Match Story: Little Sister Yamama and Big Sister Miranda

Little Sister Yamama, 12, and Big Sister Miranda were matched in March 2018. Miranda was…

Match Story: Little Brother Julian and Big Brother George

Little Brother Julian, 17, and Big Brother George were matched in November 2014. Their favorite…

Express Dream Big Project Winners

In September 2021, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America became the beneficiary of the Dream Big Project, Express’ ongoing giving and mentoring initiative. Express has set a goal to donate $1,000,000 nationally to fund Big Brothers Big Sisters initiatives that ignite the power and promise of youth.

As part of the Dream Big Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country submitted stories of Littles whose confidence has been strengthened by their mentoring relationship. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada was honored to have two local Littles selected out of the 50 winners nationwide: Little Sister Breeauna and Little Brother Pele. Each of these winners received a $500 Express gift card and a special shopping experience at the Meadowood Mall Express store. They were welcomed with balloons and signs in their honor, and even got to shop before the store opened to the public with the help of the amazing team at Express!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada would like to thank our friends at the Meadowood Mall Express store for making these once-in-a-lifetime memories happen for Breauna and Pele!

Click here to read more about Breeanua and Pele.

PHILANTRHOPIST MACKENZIE SCOTT DONATES 1.1 MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHERN NEVADA

Generous gift will support new growth and services to mentor kids in our region

RENO, Nev. (Wednesday, July 13, 2022) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada (BBBSNN) is thrilled to announce receipt of a $1.1 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The agency is excited and energized by Ms. Scott’s investment in defending the potential of our northern Nevada youth and grateful for her support of the power of mentoring, which includes more than $121 million for other BBBS agencies nationwide.

BBBSNN is one of just 38 agencies out of 230 nationally to receive funding. As This transformative donation, partnered with continued support received from the northern Nevada community and its charitable foundations, will lead to new growth and diversification in services for the nearly 150 children in our community who are waiting for one-to-one mentorship and nurturing. With sustained community support, BBBSNN’s plan is to use this funding to broaden its benefit to the community in several key ways over the next five years.

Click here to read the full story on Mackenzie Scott's donation

How does Big Brothers Big Sisters help Kasaius?

Matching

When Big Brothers Big Sisters works to match a Little with a Big, we take into account the needs, personality, interests, and goals of both the child and the adult volunteer. We introduce the Little and his or her family to the Big slowly and make sure everyone is fully committed to the match before it is made official. Little Brother Kasaius is outgoing and up for anything, so he needed a Big who was creative and had a variety of interests.

Relationship Management

Children like Kasaius get the most out of their one-to-one relationship with their Big when the Big, the parent or guardian, and the child talk openly with their Match Support Specialist. Working as part of the team helping the child succeed, the Match Support Specialist can help identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and connect the family with essential services.

Activities

When Kasaius’ Big Brother saw the email from BBBS saying that there were spots open in a free acting class, he jumped at the chance to take Kasaius. BBBS affiliates across the country provide activities for Bigs and Littles and also alert Bigs to opportunities in the community. This enables Bigs to get to know other Bigs, who might be experiencing similar things and who might have great suggestions for more new activities.

Screening and Training

Child safety is Big Brothers Big Sisters’ highest priority. To achieve the highest standards possible, we work constantly to review and strengthen our background check systems as new best practices in the industry emerge. We also make sure our Bigs and our staff have the training and resources they need to help Littles on their path to success.

Established in 2001, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our mentoring program is backed by 111 years of experience, proven success and positive outcomes. By pairing youth with caring adult mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada contributes to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for all.