A Mentor's Role

If you are a person who cares about the community around you and have a little bit of time to devote on a fairly regular basis to a child, you could be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Professionally-trained staff members screen all applicants thoroughly before matching them with children and consistent agency support is given to the volunteer, child and child's parent or guardian. Being a Big Brother or Big Sister means being an unconditional caring friend to a Little Brother or Little Sister, but most of all it means just being there.

Kids need an older role model, someone in addition to parents and friends, who can guide them in the right direction and support them through life's experiences.

The children (Littles) in the BBBS program are between the ages of 5 - 14 years old when they enroll, and can stay in the program until they reach 18 years of age. Littles come from all kinds of backgrounds, but a majority of them are growing up in a single-parent household. These children are looking for volunteers (Bigs) who can they care share their interests, stories and fun experiences with. Having a Big allows these children to broaden their horizons as they learn from someone who may different lifestyle or experiences then they are familiar with.

You don’t have to be a superhero or rocket scientist to be a Big Brother or Big Sister! Bigs are neighbors, friends, co-workers, retirees and community members. Our volunteers are every-day people who are willing to spend a little time on a consistent basis with a child who could use a friend to guide and support them.

A Big spends quality one-to-one time with their Little doing normal, everyday things.

• In our Community-Based Program, Big and Little "matches" enjoy activities that interest them both. There is no set amount of time you have to spend with your Little. How long you meet and when you meet depends on the match’s schedule! Matches play sports, see movies, attend agency events, visit museums, volunteer in their communities, or just hang out.
  
  

• In our Site-Based Mentoring Programs, volunteers visit their Little at school or at the Boys and Girls Club. In the schools, Bigs meet their Littles during the school day for one hour, once a week and can eat lunch together, visit the library or simply just talk. At the Boys and Girls Club site, matches meet after school or during the day in the summer. At the Club, matches can play basketball, work in the computer lab, box, swim or just hang out. This is a great program for those with a busy schedule. You can volunteer in as little as 4 hours a month, and 36 hours in a whole school year!
  
  

• In the High School Bigs Program, high school students are matched as Big Brothers or Big Sisters with an elementary or middle school Little Brother or Little Sister during the duration of a school year. A BBBS staff member accompanies each High School Bigs group to visit their Littles in a group setting for one hour, once a week. The visits occur either before, during or after school. The Big serves as a role model for the younger child by spending individual time with him or her. Littles love their High School Bigs!