Vikram Uppal is the co-founder of AID India in San Francisco, California. He has led the organization in all areas of philanthropy for more than 15 years. Vikram “Vik” Uppal engages with several additional charitable organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area manages several unique programs, including Community-Based Mentoring services. The organization’s core program, community mentoring involves pairing a highly qualified adult mentor, known as a Big, with one of the program’s enrolled children, a Little. Pairs regularly meet in one-on-one scenarios that allow both parties to develop trust and, from the Big’s perspective, a more nuanced understanding of a particular child’s needs.
There are no strict guidelines dictating how Bigs and Littles spend their time, except that activities should appeal to shared interests. Common examples include attending athletic events, engaging in various outdoor activities, and attending community attractions such as museums or zoos. Big Brothers Big Sisters focuses on the bond Bigs and Littles develop, which ideally translates to better grades for children, stronger relationships with family and friends, and a decreased risk for drug and alcohol abuse.
