Big Brothers Big Sisters Expands Program to Excelsior Springs

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. —The Excelsior Springs Hospital hosted the community’s monthly SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environments) coalition meeting on Thursday, November 6, where Milca Aguirre with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City introduced the organization’s growing presence in Excelsior Springs and shared how residents can get involved.

Aguirre said the program currently supports three active matches in Excelsior Springs, with nearly 200 children across the Kansas City metro area waiting to be paired with a mentor—most of them boys.

“These kids may be growing up with one parent, living with relatives, or dealing with things like a parent’s incarceration, deployment, or illness,” Aguirre said. “Every child in our program has expressed a genuine desire for a mentor. We don’t force anyone—this is about building meaningful friendships.”

Proven Impact

Aguirre highlighted the program’s impressive outcomes:

• 97% of Littles report no involvement with juvenile court after being matched.
  
  
• 97% say their Big has had a positive impact on their life.
  
  
• 100% of high school seniors in the program graduated on time in both 2024 and 2025.
  

“These results show the power of consistency,” Aguirre explained. “When a child has someone who shows up, listens, and encourages them to think intentionally about their future, it changes their life.”

How the Program Works

Children in the program—known as “Littles”—range from second to 11th grade, and every one of them signs up voluntarily. Mentors, or “Bigs,” commit to spending time with their Little two to three times a month, engaging in everyday activities like going to the park, cooking dinner, or attending community events.

“This isn’t a babysitting program,” Aguirre said. “It’s about friendship—doing the things you already enjoy, just with someone who looks up to you.”

Each match is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist, a full-time staff member who checks in monthly to offer resources, advice, and ensure the match remains healthy and positive. The organization also employs a trauma-informed care specialist who provides additional guidance and connects families to community resources like utility assistance or sports equipment for kids.

Opportunities for Involvement

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers several ways for residents to participate:

• Become a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple. Couples who have been together for at least two years—married or not—can mentor a child together.
  
  
• Join a Board. The Big Impact Group focuses on fundraising and networking, while the JEDI Advisory Board (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) helps recruit diverse mentors who reflect the backgrounds of local children.
  
  
• Become a Matchmaker. Monthly donors sustain the program, with as little as $25 a month helping enroll a child, and $50 a month supporting a match for a year.
  
  
• Host a Clothing Drive. Through a partnership with Savers thrift stores, donated clothing directly funds Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.

Big for a Day Event

Those unsure about long-term mentoring can test the experience by signing up for the “Big for a Day” Flag Football event. Volunteers will be paired with waiting Littles—many of them boys from the metro area—for an afternoon of games, followed by a casual happy hour and informational session about the program.

Local Information Session

An informational dinner for community members interested in becoming mentors or supporters will take place Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Excelsior Springs Community Center. Sign-ups for the Excelsior Springs program will be available at the event.

For more information or to get involved, visit bbbsKC.org.

“My Big has brought me out of my shell,” one Little shared in the program’s annual survey. “My self-confidence and self-esteem have shot through the roof since being paired with my Big. She reminds me that I can do whatever I put my mind to, no matter how big the task is.”