By June in Tarrant County, the school-year hustle slows to a crawl. Baseball games replace bell schedules, and weekend hikes edge out hallway noise. But for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Tarrant County, the work is just getting started.
That’s because their “30 Men in 30 Days” campaign kicks off June 1 — part old-school recruitment drive, part community call to action. The goal is simple: Find 30 men to step up as mentors, or “Bigs,” by month’s end. The reason? Equally simple: 33 local boys, many from single-parent households, are waiting for a male mentor. Some have been on the list for over a year.
“For Father’s Day and for the summer, we really promote our community-based program,” said Taffy Olszewski, BBBS director of community engagement. “Our site-based programs take a break when school’s out, so this is the time when those boys really need someone.”
That someone doesn’t need to have coaching skills or a perfect résumé. They just need to show up — consistently.
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches each volunteer with a single child based on shared interests, lived experiences, and personality. The commitment is two to four outings a month. That could mean hitting the Fort Worth Zoo, casting a line at a local pond, or just grabbing burgers and talking life. Volunteers get support from BBBS staff, free YMCA memberships, and access to programs like “Bigs Outdoors,” which hosts monthly activities like archery, clay shooting, and guided hikes.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about that one-on-one connection,” said Olszewski. “Whether they’re fishing or playing basketball, it’s really about giving that child your attention. That’s where the trust builds.”
The program has a proven track record of longevity. Olszewski says she recently met a retired Arlington ISD teacher who became a Big when his mentee was five years old. That mentee is now 55, and the two still meet monthly for lunch. “Some of these relationships continue decades after the child has aged out of our program,” she said. “It just becomes part of your life.”
Even cross-gender matches leave a mark. “We had a young boy who got paired with a Big Sister when he was about nine. She never missed his football games — even when his family couldn’t go,” said Olszewski. “He just signed with the University of Arkansas, and she was right there on signing day.”
Volunteers undergo background checks, provide references, and sit through interviews to ensure the match is safe and intentional. Once matched, they’re guided by BBBS staff and connected to community partners.
“It’s not just about changing a child’s life — it changes the Big’s life too,” President of BBBS Ozzie Smith of Greater Tarrant said. “You realize how powerful a few hours a month can be.”
For men 18 and older, the application is straightforward. Info sessions will be held throughout June in Fort Worth, Arlington, and surrounding areas. And the organization hopes that local media, churches, fraternities, and businesses will help carry the campaign forward.
To apply, visit bbbstx.org/be-a-big-tarrant.
As Olszewski put it: “We’re not asking you to save the world. Just be there for one kid who really needs someone in their corner.”
