On this episode of the cityCURRENT Show, host Andrew Bartolotta sits down with Sarah Moseley, Alumni Little and Youth Board Member at Big Brothers Big Sisters Middle Tennessee to explore how one-to-one, professionally supported mentoring transforms lives and strengthens the Middle Tennessee community.
Sarah opens with her personal journey as a former “Little,” sharing pivotal moments that built confidence, belonging, and vision for her future—and why she now serves to ensure more young people experience the same support.
Together, Andrew and Sarah unpack BBBS MTN’s mission to ignite the power and promise of youth and its vision that all youth achieve their full potential.
The conversation demystifies what “professionally supported” mentoring really looks like—how BBBS coaches Bigs and families, safeguards matches, and measures outcomes like school attendance, academic progress, and social-emotional growth. Sarah explains the six BBBS programs and who each serves best:
Community-Based Mentoring – flexible, relationship-first outings
Site-Based Mentoring – structured, on-site connections in schools/partner locations
E-Mentoring – lower barriers through consistent virtual touchpoints
High School Bigs – near-peer mentoring that builds leadership and service
Sports Buddies – activity-driven bonding that’s easy to sustain
College Advancement Program – persistence and planning beyond high school
A highlight of the episode is the discussion of BBBS’s 2025 longitudinal economic study (Harvard University; 30 years of U.S. Treasury data), which reinforces the long-term value of mentoring with evidence of stronger life and economic outcomes. Sarah connects the research to local needs—where waitlists exist (especially for boys and specific ZIP codes), why diverse mentors matter, and how transportation and scheduling realities inform program design.
Listeners also get a clear, practical picture of the time commitment and the myths that keep would-be mentors on the sidelines. Sarah shares what actually makes a great Big (consistency, curiosity, and care—not perfection), along with easy, low-cost ideas for meaningful match activities.
For companies, the episode outlines a roadmap for high-impact partnerships—volunteer recruitment, sponsorships, workplace mentoring, and year-round engagement—framed as an investment in workforce readiness, safer communities, and long-term regional prosperity.
Learn more and get involved: https://mentorakid.org/
