Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine matches adult volunteers with children across Kennebec County and surrounding central Maine communities. School-based mentors meet their Little once a week; community-based matches get together two to four times a month for at least a year. This page covers how to apply as a mentor, what the screening involves, and how to support the program with a donation.
Mid-Maine is one of several Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates in the state, alongside councils serving Greater Portland, Downeast Maine, and other regions. Its territory is largely rural, and that shapes the work. Children in low-income households here often grow up with fewer organized activities, fewer community programs, and fewer chances to spend time with adults outside their own family than kids in cities have. A dependable mentor fills a gap that after-school programs would cover elsewhere.
Matches tend to lean on Maine's outdoor culture. Hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and trips to state parks cost very little, and they give a child steady one-on-one time with an adult who keeps showing up. The consistency matters more than the activity.
The affiliate runs two program formats. School-based mentoring means meeting a child weekly at school during the school year, often over lunch, games, or homework. Community-based mentoring means getting together two to four times per month on your own schedule, with a minimum one-year commitment.
As at every BBBS affiliate, applicants go through an interview and a background check before matching. Staff pair volunteers and children based on location, interests, and the child's needs, then check in regularly once the match is underway. Applications start at the volunteer page on bbbsmidmaine.org.
Maine has one of the highest volunteer rates in the country, and much of that energy comes from older residents. The affiliate is also working to recruit younger mentors, who tend to juggle tighter schedules and budgets — the low-cost, outdoor nature of most match activities helps there.
Financial gifts pay for the unglamorous parts of mentoring that keep it safe: background checks, professional match-support staff, and volunteer training. You can give through the official site at bbbsmidmaine.org, and if your employer matches charitable gifts, that stretches a donation further at no cost to you.
Families interested in enrolling a child can reach the affiliate through its website to ask about eligibility and the intake process. A child does not need to be in crisis to benefit; the program is built around steady, positive contact with one more caring adult.
Confirm the affiliate's 501(c)(3) status with the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov, and look up its profile on Charity Navigator. For any gift of $250 or more, keep the written acknowledgment for your tax records.
Sources: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine official site (bbbsmidmaine.org); our Maine charity guide research. Retrieved July 2026. We are not affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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