How about a Big resolution?

We are three weeks into 2026, and there are probably plenty of people who have seen their New Year’s resolution become more of a New Year’s … suggestion.

If your goals including making a change in your life, Michelle Redman has some advice: Say yes.

“My hope for this new year is simple and bold,” said the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota.

Her hope is that “more people say yes to friendship, yes to showing up, yes to being present, yes to walking alongside a young person as they write their own story.”

As of Jan. 15, there were 337 “Littles” waiting for a “Big” across Steele, Dodge, Waseca, Rice and Olmsted counties.

The kids waiting for a match are pretty evenly split between genders, said Allie Mayer, marketing manager for BBBS of Southern Minnesota.

Because January is National Mentoring Month, the organization is taking a new approach this year, with what it’s calling an “Empower Hour” throughout the area.

“On Jan. 29, for one hour, in each of our communities, we will be hosting a little info session,” Mayer said. “It’s a quick gathering where people can stop by and get a free coffee, and learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, ask any questions they might have, sign up to be a volunteer,” or maybe just gather some information to make a decision later.

“We want to meet people where they are, get out into the community and let people know that the need is urgent,” she said. “It is here, still, in 2026. We have 337 kids waiting for a Big.”

Pick a program

Most people think of the community-based program of Big Brothers Big Sisters, which matches kids with adults in the community for a one-to-one mentoring relationship.

Bigs must be at least 18 years old; Littles may be enrolled in the program from age 5 to 15, though many matches continue long after the child hits 15 – or older.

Two other programs are specific to the schools.

School-site mentoring matches high school students with an elementary school student for a weekly meeting, typically 30 minutes per week.

The schools also partner with BBBS for adult-student matches throughout the school year, spending time together only during the school day. The meetings pause over the summer break, then resume in the fall.

Bigs and volunteers often choose to get involved with their spouse or children, to make it a family experience, Mayer said.

If a Little is open to a family match, “rather than providing one person for support, we’re building a network of maybe four or five people,” she said.

All matches are based on compatibility, interest and location.

Making a match

Anyone can be a mentor, Mayer said.

“We really want to give everyone a platform and a space to give back.”

For as many types of adult volunteers, “there are just as many unique Littles looking for that support,” she said.

Matches are not based on the amount of time a child has been on the list.

Instead, they are based on compatibility and interest, “and whether or not we think it’s a good fit for both a child and the volunteer, because more often than not, we hear about how much the Big is also getting out of the match relationship,” Mayer said.

“It can be hard” to wait for a match, she agreed, “but we know that a match made poorly is going to cause more harm than good, so the wait is necessary.”

BBBS also holds quarterly “Big for a Day” events with various community partners who provide volunteers to come in for an hour to help with an activity like BINGO, mini golf or a craft for Littles who haven’t been matched.

The event “gives the volunteer a chance to see what being a Big might look like, and also gives a Little a taste of what that mentorship could look like, as well,” Mayer said.

“We want them to know that just because we don’t have that perfect Big for them yet, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up. We’re still keeping up with their interests and what they’re looking for, because that changes over time, too, of course.”

Big meets Little

Each of the matches are paired with a Match Support Specialist, a staff person dedicated to making sure that everything’s running smoothly, that everyone is safe and happy. They also might provide activity ideas.

The MSS is involved for the entire relationship.

“They will be there from the start, all the way through the end of the match, so they (Bigs and Littles) always have a contact person,” Mayer said.

The specialist will check in with the Big, the Little and the parent about once a month over the phone, to make sure everything’s OK, and to answer any questions.

 “The parent partnership makes all the difference in the success of the match,” Mayer said, “so we really value the relationship that our parents get to build with the Bigs, as well as the staff.

“That holistic approach in supporting the match is extremely important.”

The organization also does what it can to level the playing field. It offers four to five free activities each month for the community-based matches to participate in.

“We don’t want money to be a barrier to becoming a volunteer, or feeling like you need to spend a lot of money to be a successful mentor,” Mayer said. “It’s simply about the consistency, and showing up.”

The organization’s new location at 141 E. Vine St. in Owatonna has been “tremendous for allowing us a better space to host things, and allow that kind of connection.”

Benefits for both

BBBS measures all programs for the success and growth in the child, but in the school programs, “we see a lot of parents reporting increased confidence, better peer relationships and communication,” Mayer said.

The school-age partnerships can see the pair connecting over shooting baskets during open gym, or spending time in the library, or maybe helping the younger student with a specific assignment.

“They can support in that way as well, but they kind of make the most of their time and bonding,” she said, over something as simple and timeless as a game of UNO.

The school program, Mayer added, “makes a big difference in the kids’ lives – both kids.”

A lot of the younger kids think of it as their special day of the week, she said, recounting the story of a recent snow day in Owatonna.

The elementary student “was so concerned that he had to call his mom and make sure it wasn’t his Big day, so he wasn’t missing his time” with the high school student, Mayer said.

“We hear that quite often, where they look forward to that special day of the week when their person comes” to spend time at school, she said.

In 2024, 100% of the Littles said their Big makes their life better.

Success stories

Matches can – and do – last long after the Little is old enough to become a Big.

“Our favorite stories are those that do (continue) through graduation, whether they were matched for 10 years or for two years,” Mayer said, with matches staying in touch long after the BBBS support has ended.

It proves that “we did our job, and that our mission has been accomplished in providing them with a lifelong friend,” she said.

Mayer recently learned of a match that has been getting together for more than 30 years. The pair stopped by the new office to say “hi” when they happened to be getting lunch together one day.

“Seeing those types of relationships are still intact are always super-special to us,” she said.

In 2024, BBBS of Southern Minnesota served 951 children, a record for the group. Volunteers and Bigs are always welcome.

“The new year is often filled with resolutions and expectations of chance,” said Redman, the executive director. “But the most lasting change doesn’t come from grand gestures. It comes from small, consistent moments: A weekly check-in, a shared hobby, a conversation during a walk or over a game.

“These moments add up,” she said. “They ignite confidence. They empower potential. And they reinforce that growth doesn’t happen alone.”

For more information, visit bbbssm.org, or find them on Facebook, X and Instagram.