Interview by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham is working to grow its impact in Walker County by connecting more children with positive, one-on-one mentors. Through school-based and community-based programs, the organization pairs student “littles” with caring adult “bigs” who provide encouragement, support, and consistency.
Two individuals contributing to that effort locally are Kiranda Robbins, Program Director for Walker and Winston Counties, and Colby Morrison, Enrollment & Mentoring Specialist. Both started as volunteers and now help others get involved in changing a child’s life through mentorship.
In this Walker Leader Q&A, they share why the need is urgent, how the programs work, and how more volunteers can get involved.
WL: Why is it important for Big Brothers Big Sisters to have a stronger presence in Walker County right now?
KR: We all see the challenges in Walker County, just like many rural counties. There’s substance abuse, a lack of consistent role models, and other issues our youth are up against. Parents and the community can only do so much. That’s where we come in.
When you pair a child with a one-on-one mentor, it’s life-changing. It gives that child someone to rely on, to look up to, and to learn from. Everyone, no matter their background, benefits from having a mentor. That’s what we do.
CM: I started as a volunteer while I was a student at Curry High, and I was paired with a second-grader. He told me he didn’t know if he even wanted to graduate from high school. And that’s tough. But it’s not unique to Curry. Kids in rural areas often feel limited by what they see around them. If what you see is what you believe you’re capable of, you won’t push beyond it. Mentorship helps them realize there’s more out there. It helps shape not only their future, but their mindset toward education and life right now.
WL: What do you want people in this area to truly understand about the work you do beyond the surface level?
CM: I’m young, and people love to say, “You’re the future generation.” But really, we’re the present generation, and we’re already making a difference. In our high school-based program, high school students walk to the local elementary schools and mentor younger students. The kids are already here. Why not invest in them now? Let’s build the foundation so they grow up seeing what mentorship looks like.
KR: From the volunteer’s perspective, a lot of people think they don’t have enough time or anything to offer. I’ve heard so many people say, “I’m not anything special.” But everyone has something to give. The school-based program is just one hour a week, and that hour makes a huge difference. We’ve had kids who didn’t want to come to school until they found out their “big” would be there. It doesn’t take a superpower. Just be yourself. That little bit of time can change someone’s life.
CM: For the community-based program, volunteering can be as simple as taking your “little” to the park, getting ice cream, or going to a ballgame. It’s stuff you might already do anyway, but now it’s purposeful.
WL: What impact have you already seen in local schools?
KR: Right now, we’re partnered with Curry and Meek. We’ve seen it firsthand: kids who are being raised by someone other than their parents, or who come from unstable home lives. But even kids with more typical home situations need someone to spend one-on-one time with them. That kind of consistency is powerful. When a child realizes someone shows up just for them, that’s transformative. Families are busy, life gets hectic, and kids don’t always get that kind of individual attention. This fills that gap in a really meaningful way.
WL: What kind of adults are you looking for as volunteers? Do they need to have any special qualifications?
KR: People who want to make a difference! We do interviews and training, but you don’t have to be “great with kids” to be a good volunteer. You just have to want to make a difference in someone’s life.
CM: I once had someone apply, and when I called them, they said, “I want to volunteer. I just don’t know where to start.” And they’ve done great so far. You don’t need to be a superhero or a community leader. Just show up and be willing. That’s what matters.
KR: We’ve had people with rough pasts, too, and that’s okay. We evaluate everyone individually. Sometimes, people who have gone through difficult experiences are the best mentors. They can relate, encourage, and help a child navigate similar challenges.
WL: What goes into matching a “big” with a “little”?
CM: After someone expresses interest, I do an intro phone call and walk them through the process. We require a background check and references, followed by an in-depth interview where we discuss lifestyle, interests, personality, and preferences. We also interview the children and their parents or guardians, asking about interests and the type of mentor they envision. If someone wants to be paired with a kid who loves art, we try to match accordingly. A lot of people are nervous that they’ll be sitting across from a child with nothing to talk about, but that’s rarely the case when the match is thoughtful.
KR: One thing that’s unique about our program is the match support. Once a match is made, we follow up regularly. I visit our high school matches in person to check in and help troubleshoot any challenges that may arise. We don’t expect volunteers to be therapists or social workers; we’re here to support them and connect kids with resources when needed.
WL: If someone wants to get involved, what’s the first step?
CM: They can visit our website (bbbsbhm.org) and submit an interest form. It’s not a commitment, just a way to learn more. They can also email me directly or the main office. I’ll reach out and discuss everything, from expectations to next steps.
WL: You both started as “bigs” with the organization. Could you elaborate on how that experience shaped you?
CM: I was matched with a second grader. We started by playing Connect Four, and he told me he always beat his uncle at it. That’s how the conversation started, something small and simple. What I learned is that these kids don’t need much—just someone to show up and be there. I remember being that age and looking up to people, wishing they’d spend time with me, take me places. I still volunteer today. The impact it has far outweighs the time it takes.
KR: Most of our staff have volunteered at some point. I was matched with a girl from the time she was in third grade through twelfth grade. We still talk today, and she’s been out of school for five or six years. I’ve been with the organization for 19 years, and when you believe in what you do, it’s easy to stay passionate. You get to see real change. You see a child’s whole world light up because someone is there for them. You’re not the entire solution, but you’re part of building resilience, and that matters.
WL: What are your hopes for the program’s future in Walker County?
KR: I want to be busting at the seams! I want to have every high school serving every elementary and middle school. It’s ambitious, but doable. Other counties have hundreds of matches. Shelby County is in almost every school. We’re rebuilding in Walker County after setbacks from COVID and the early 2000s recession, but we’re on our way. People just need to know we’re here.
CM: We can always find more kids. What we need is more volunteers. Especially for our community-based program, we have a waitlist of kids ready. We just need more people willing to step in. We’ve been on the ground recently, making progress. We’re setting up meetings and talking to community partners. The future’s looking bright. The hardest part is just getting started. After that, it’s easy.
To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, visit bbbsbhm.org WL
