Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cranbrook has been creating friendships since 1977. We began with one program matching Big Brothers (adult men) with Little Brothers (boys) and have grown to include a variety of community and school one-on-one and group programs that serve both boys and girls assessed as needing a mentor and friend.   

In 1990 we became a joint agency providing programs for girls as well as boys. We started the Big Sister program where adult women are matched with a Little Sister (girls). 

Boys and girls are eligible to apply for the community mentoring programs Big Brothers Big Sisters from age 6 to 12 years of age; the child's legal guardian must complete the screening process; referrals are accepted from other agencies; after acceptance the child can stay in the community program until the age of sixteen. 

Our Agency expanded our traditional one-on-one friendships in 1994 to include the Couples for Kids program whereby adults can volunteer with their spouse and are matched with a boy or girl. Cross gender matching was also introduced in 1994 where Big Sisters spend time with Little Brothers, boys from mother absent homes.

The traditional Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Couples for Kids programs are operating in the communities of Cranbrook & Kimberley. 

The In-School Mentor program which started in January 2001, provides an adult mentor and friend to a student in grades 2-6. This school mentoring program is available at T.M. Roberts and Amy Woodland Elementary Schools in Cranbrook. Students are referred by their teachers. 

Go Girls is a new Big Brothers Big Sisters program that offers an interactive group experience for adolescent girls at Parkland and Laurie Junior High Schools which began in January 2009.  If you're an adult women under the age of 35 we're always recruiting group leaders for Go Girls!  Students are either referred by a school counselor, a parent or students themselves can register for Go Girls.