Beyond School Walls recruits New Business Partners, Mentees for 2026/2027 School Year

‍Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County (BBBSWC) continues to focus on two mission-critical priorities this summer; recruiting new business partners and high school students to participate in their Beyond School Walls (BSW) career mentoring program that engages new students “Littles” who need career guidance and support from a career mentor “Big.”  

Beyond School Walls (BSW) is the official workplace mentoring program of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. It is designed to prepare students for life after high school by connecting them with professional mentors who provide guidance, support, and real-world exposure to career environments.

In 2025, BBBSWC entered partnerships with Quad Graphics in Hartford and West Bend Insurance in West Bend to launch BSW to Washington County High School Students. BBBSWC is looking to expand their BSW program in the 2026/2027 school year. Over the course of the school year, mentors and students met monthly for an hour and a half session that focuses on mentorship, skill building, career readiness, relationship development and more.

In addition to retaining their current relationship with Quad Graphics and West Bend Insurance, BBBSWC is thrilled to announce that Quad Graphics in Sussex, Alto Shaam in Menomonee Falls, and Manitou Group in West Bend have also entered into partnership with BBBSWC to participate in the BSW program for the next two upcoming school years. Further business partners will be announced as the summer progresses.

‍BBBSWC is also actively recruiting high school students this summer and early fall to apply to become a career mentee “Little.” Sophomores, juniors and seniors in the 2026/2027 school year who are interested in exploring different career paths and what profession might suit them after high school would receive the most benefit from applying to and participating in the BSW program. If interested, prospective students along with their parent or guardian must complete an application and interview with BBBSWC staff members to be accepted into the program and paired with their career mentor (“Big”).  

‍In addition to recruiting business and student participants in BSW in the 2026/2027 school year, BBBSWC is always accepting applications for youth as young as 6 in Washington County to become one of our organization’s “Littles.” BBBSWC is ready to match children, particularly in the Germantown area, where local “Bigs” are waiting to be matched, with positive, adult role models to help them unlock their full potential. BBBSWC supports children who struggle in school, exhibit attention-seeking behavior, struggle to develop positive relationships, have social anxiety, or struggle mentally with self-confidence. They must also have an engaged parent or guardian, and live or attend school in Washington County. Participation in the program is free, and youth remain enrolled until they graduate from high school or turn 18.

“For the past 56 years, children who enroll in BBBSWC have benefitted from another consistent adult who can be a friend and role model who can pave the path for a child’s bright future,” says BBBSWC Outreach and Development Coordinator Caitlin Elftman. “Year after year, our data shows that “Littles” in Washington County are more likely to succeed in school, say no to drugs and alcohol, have healthier relationships, and have greater self-confidence. Mentorship truly makes a BIG difference mentorship makes in the lives of our youth and their families.”

‍Parents or guardians who want to enroll their child to become a BBBSWC Little must first visit www.bbbswashco.org and submit an inquiry or application online.  The Enrollment Specialist will then reach out to walk through the enrollment process with the prospective “Little” and their family. This match enrollment process usually takes one to three months to complete.

‍BBBSWC continues to foster positive and enduring relationships that have a direct impact on the lives of young people. Keeping youth in our community connected to their career mentor “Bigs” in the BSW program and continuing to recruit youth who need a one-to-one mentor is critical for their future as tomorrow’s leaders. To learn more about BSW and how high school students can apply to be career mentees “Littles” in the 2026/2027 school year, please call BBBS at 262-334-7896, Email: caitline@bbbswashco.org or visit our website at www.bbbswashco.org.