Big futures: Extending the power of mentorship into adulthood
For 30 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas has been igniting the power and promise of youth through mentoring relationships. As our agency celebrates this milestone, we are looking ahead to the next chapter of impact with the launch of Big Futures, an innovative program designed to support young adults ages 18–25 as they navigate the critical transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Meeting a Critical Need in Our Community
Many of our “graduate Littles” express a strong desire to stay connected beyond high school, and mentors often want to continue supporting their mentees during this formative period. Yet until now, there has not been a formal framework to meet this need. Big Futures fills that gap by offering ongoing mentoring relationships that provide guidance in higher education, employment, independent living, and personal development.
Building on three decades of proven mentoring success, Big Futures is designed as a natural extension of our core programs. Participants will benefit from structured activities, strong role models, and opportunities for self-directed growth—a holistic approach that empowers young adults to build confidence, resilience, and purpose during one of life’s most pivotal stages.
A Vision Guided by Experience
The program is being championed by a team with deep roots in mentoring. Caitlin Duru, Program Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, saying:
“Big Futures will allow us to walk alongside young adults during a time when decisions about education, careers, and identity can shape the rest of their lives. By extending mentorship beyond high school, we’re ensuring that the relationships built in our programs continue to provide guidance, encouragement, and opportunity when it matters most.”
Fueling Growth with the Lilly Endowment Grant
The development and launch of Big Futures is being made possible in part through a generous Character-Driven Mentoring grant from the Lilly Endowment, which will help fund the program’s initial planning, staffing, and curriculum design. Reflecting on this investment, CEO Lance Johnson shared:
“Receiving support from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Lilly Endowment is a powerful affirmation of our vision for Big Futures. This grant enables us to build the infrastructure needed to guide young adults through one of the most critical transitions of their lives. With this support, we can ensure that mentorship continues to light the path to confidence, resilience, and purpose for years to come.”
A Bold Step Forward
Launching Big Futures is more than a program expansion, it’s a commitment to ensuring that mentorship remains a guiding force well into adulthood. By embedding this initiative into our strategic plan and engaging alumni Bigs and Littles in leadership roles, we are laying the foundation for sustained impact across Northwest Arkansas and beyond.
As we prepare to launch Big Futures, we invite our community of supporters to help us build a strong foundation for young adults entering the next stage of their journeys. Together, we can ensure that every young person has the guidance and encouragement they need to thrive.
To learn more about Big Futures or to get involved, please email info@bbbsnwa.org
