In the mountains of Cashiers, Highlands, Jackson County, and Macon County, one of the greatest gifts we can offer young people is the ability to set goals and work toward them.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina, this belief guides everything we do. Mentoring here is more than a service—it’s a community tradition rooted in the understanding that when local youth feel supported and encouraged, the entire region grows stronger.
For many young people in these rural mountain communities, goal-setting provides direction and helps them imagine a future beyond their challenges. It teaches that their dreams, large or small, are worth pursuing and that they have the power to shape their own lives. But young people often need guidance to break goals into achievable steps, especially when resources or role models are limited. That’s where a BBBS mentor makes a life-changing difference.
A Big Brother or Big Sister in Cashiers, Highlands, Jackson, or Macon County often becomes a steady, encouraging presence—a trusted neighbor who shows up and believes deeply in a child’s potential. In coffee shops, local parks, after school, and along familiar mountain paths, mentors help youth clarify what they want to accomplish and navigate obstacles along the way. They celebrate each win, teach resilience through setbacks, and reinforce a powerful truth: You are capable. You belong here. Your future has promise.
This transformation is at the core of the BBBS mission—to ignite the power and promise of youth. In communities like ours, that work is especially meaningful.
When a child in Jackson County gains confidence, that ripple reaches their classroom, peers, and future workplace.
When a teen in Macon County learns perseverance, the entire community benefits from the leadership skills they carry forward.
These locally rooted mentoring relationships do more than help youth set goals. They teach essential life skills—communication, problem-solving, planning, responsibility, and the courage to keep going. They give children stable adult support in a world that can feel unpredictable.
As we welcome a new year, there’s a meaningful opportunity for readers across Cashiers, Highlands, Jackson County, and Macon County to align personal goals with the needs of local youth.
For many individuals and families, the most impactful New Year’s goal is to support BBBS financially. Donations ensure that professional staff can recruit and train volunteers, support matches, provide safe programming, and reach more children across our communities.
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