BBBS enhances children's lives in San Juan County through one-to-one relationships with adults.
What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit agency that matches children with adults who help by simply being a friend and positive role model.
Who can be a 'Big'?
A Big is a mature adult 18 years or older who is interested in being a part of a child's life at least 2-4 times a month for a minimum of one year. A Big may also be a junior or senior, 16 years or older, in selected high schools who want to be a friend to a child in an elementary or middle school.
Who can be a 'Little'?
A Little is a boy or girl in our program between ages 6-14. Our Littles come from all different backgrounds and socioeconomic groups.
How do the children and parents get into the BBBS program?
All of the children and their families join Big Brothers Big Sisters because they are wanting to get involved with a positive program that works. They usually hear about us through word of mouth, from their friends, relatives, schools, and other Bigs and Littles.
What is a 'Match?'
A match is the pairing of a Big Brother to a Little Brother, a Big Sister to a Little Brother/ Little Sister, or a Big Couple/Big Family to a Little Brother/Little Sister. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches volunteers with children who have similar interests in order to make the best possible match.
What is a Match Support Specialist?
A MSS is a staff member who acts like a case manager and who provides support for every child, family and volunteer by offering advice, problem resolution, outing ideas and service referrals.
What is the benefit of having a Big Brother or a Big Sister?
The individualized attention and companionship children who participate in our program receive as a result of being matched has proven to help keep them away from drugs and alcohol, keep them in school and greatly reduce the likelihood they will act out with delinquent or aggressive behaviors.
Does being a Big Brother or Big Sister require experience?
You do not need any special skills or experience to be a Big. Just spending time and caring about your Little makes a difference in the life of a child. We were all kids once, it does not take special skills to be a friend.
Why should I become a Big Brother or Big Sister?
Many Bigs describe their experiences with their match by saying, 'I get to be a kid again.' At this time, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Juan County has over 150 active matches in San Juan County. Imagine a child's eyes lighting up the first time he or she walks into a baseball stadium or sees the ocean. Not only can you be there when it happens, but you can be the reason it did.
Does being a Big Brother or Big Sister take a lot of time?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Juan County has many flexible volunteer opportunities to fit anyone's busy schedule. As a Big Brother or Big Sister in the Community-Based program, you see your Little Brother or Little Sister about 2-4 times per month and do things that you already do. The average outing is anywhere from one to four hours. Bigs in the School-Based program go into the Little's school and spend about 45 minutes to one hour to join their Little for Lunch, visit after school or to play games and do homework.
Which Schools and Sites do Big Brothers Big Sisters serve?
The following schools/sites have children that can be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister in San Juan County: click here!
What do Bigs and Littles do together?
Bigs and Littles enjoy playing sports, seeing movies, cooking, going over school work, visiting museums, washing the car, taking walks, volunteering in their communities or just hanging out. Most everything that Bigs and Littles do together is fun and beneficial to both the adult and child.
Does it cost a lot of money to be a Mentor?
The idea is not to spend a lot of money, but instead to spend fun, quality time with a child. You can take a hike, go jogging in the park or just talk. It does not have to cost anything. Also, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a discount program that includes entertainment and recreational businesses. Additionally, Big Brothers Big Sisters offers many free agency outings or holds parties and picnics. Big Brothers Big Sisters when able to offers free tickets to local events.
As a Big, what kind of support will I get from Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Each match has a professional Match Support Specialist, or case manager who is there to support the child, parent and volunteer. The Match Support Specialist helps with any problem solving, feedback and information to help the match along.
What is the application process like to become a Big Brother or a Big Sister?
The application process includes filling out and turning in an application, providing personal and professional references, a confidential interview, passing local, state, and national background checks, and driving record check (only for community-based program). If you are under 18, your guardian will need to sign some of the forms for you to participate and teachers' references will suffice.
The entire process can take around 2 months to complete because the background checks alone can take up to 6 weeks to come back. We ask all applicants to be patient. At any time in this process feel free to call our agency with any questions/concerns. Our only goal is to make this a memorable and positive experience for Mentors and safe for children!
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