Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, based in Greenville, has created and supported one-to-one mentoring matches between adult volunteers and children in the Upstate region of South Carolina for more than 50 years. Charlene Cheeks serves as CEO. The agency is at 620 North Main Street in Greenville. Website bbbsupstate.com; phone 864-242-0676.
The agency matches a child (a Little) with a vetted volunteer adult mentor (a Big) in a one-to-one relationship supported by professional staff. Its stated mission is to create and support meaningful one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
The mentoring relationship gives a child a consistent, caring adult presence, which research links to higher confidence, stronger school engagement, and resilience. Matches meet regularly for activities and conversation.
For more than 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate has created one-to-one matches between adult volunteers and children in the Greenville area and the wider Upstate. That longevity has helped the agency build the donor and volunteer base that sustains its mentoring work.
Charlene Cheeks serves as CEO, leading the agency from its Greenville headquarters at 620 North Main Street.
The agency serves the Upstate, the northwestern region of South Carolina centered on Greenville and Spartanburg. The Upstate is one of the state's fastest-growing areas, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities.
As with most BBBS agencies, demand for mentors exceeds the supply of screened volunteers, so the agency continually recruits Bigs, especially adults who can commit to a long-term, consistent relationship with a Little.
To become a Big, visit bbbsupstate.com or call 864-242-0676. Volunteers complete an application and screening process, then are matched with a Little and supported by agency staff throughout the relationship.
The agency takes part in the Greenville Mentoring Collaborative, a local network of organizations working to expand mentoring across the area.
Donations can be made at bbbsupstate.com. The agency is a 501(c)(3) organization, so gifts are tax-deductible. Corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and individual giving fund the mentoring work across the Upstate.
Gifts that fund match support help the agency keep relationships safe and effective over the long term.
The Greenville area has a strong nonprofit sector, including Boys and Girls Clubs and other youth organizations that reach children through group programming. For one-to-one, professionally supported mentoring across the Upstate, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate is the dedicated agency, with more than 50 years of history.
Its focus on sustained individual relationships complements group programs offered by other organizations in the region.
Last updated June 2026. BBBS of the Upstate location (620 North Main Street, Greenville), CEO Charlene Cheeks, more than 50 years of operation, Upstate service area, and Greenville Mentoring Collaborative participation from the agency (bbbsupstate.com) and the Greenville Chamber; EIN 20-4243553 from GuideStar and Cause IQ. We are not affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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