About Big Brothers Big Sisters
What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?
What is a “Big”?
How is Big Brothers Big Sisters different from other mentoring programs?
I don’t live in Washington County – is there a program near me?

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County (BBBS) is a non-profit agency, established in 1969, that serves Washington County. The mission of the agency is to put hope in a child’s future by putting a friend in a child’s life. BBBS offers one-to-one mentoring to children between the ages of 6-14 when matched. Volunteer mentors can choose between School-Based or Community-Based mentoring options.

What is a “Big”?
A “Big” is how BBBS refers to an adult who volunteers as a Big Brother or Big Sister to a “Little” or a child. The role of a “Big” is first and foremost a caring friend to a child, or “Little.”

How is Big Brothers Big Sisters different from other mentoring programs?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is the oldest and most highly respected youth mentoring organization in the nation, with over a century of proven success. Locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been serving Washington County children since 1969. During the thorough intake process, experienced staff gets to know the children and volunteers in the programs. The Enrollment Professional makes matches based on personality, shared interests and volunteer and parent preferences in an effort to make compatible, quality matches that will result in life-long friendships. After the match is made, the agency provides ongoing, professional support and resources to volunteers and families throughout their involvement with BBBS.

I don’t live in Washington County – is there a program near me?
BBBS agencies are located throughout America, including in surrounding counties and the entire state of Wisconsin. To find an agency location near you, please visit the national web site at www.bbbsa.org.

About Volunteering

Why should I volunteer as a Big?
For a few hours a month, a volunteer can be a kid again. Even better, a volunteer makes a big difference in the community and the life of a child. It’s fun, it doesn’t take a lot of time and volunteers continue to report that being a Big Brother or Sister is an unbelievably rewarding experience.

What volunteer options are available?
BBBS of Washington County offers two mentoring programs, Community-Based and School-Based. A Community-Based mentor is an adult volunteer who is matched one-to-one with a child that they meet twice a month for at least a period of a year. The match shares interests together through simple activities in the community. Individuals, couples or families can volunteer as a Community-Based mentor. A School-Based mentor is an adult volunteer who is matched one-to-one with a child at an elementary or middle school located in Washington County. The match enjoys academic and recreational activities once a week during the child’s lunch period for the length of a school year.

What qualifications do I need to have?
A person who is at least 18-years-old can apply to be a Big Brother or Sister. Volunteers don’t need any previous experience with kids or a special degree, they just need to be reliable and a responsible friend to a child. Also, volunteers need to possess the willingness to share a couple hours a month with a young person for at least a year. All Community-Based volunteers will also need to have a valid driver’s license and car insurance.

What sort of commitment do I have to make?
In order to build a friendship that will have a positive effect on a child’s life, BBBS asks volunteers to commit to meeting with their Little four to six hours a month for at least one year when volunteering as a Community-Based Mentor. As a School-Based mentor, volunteers are asked to commit to meeting with their Little for about one hour, once a week for the length of the school.

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I don’t have experience with kids – can I still be a mentor?
Definitely! Big Brothers and Sisters are not babysitters or social workers – they’re friends. A Match Support Professional will always be there to support the match on and to help if the match ever has any questions. And a one-time “BIG 101 Training” is provided to each volunteer to aide in the success of their match.

Will being a Big cost me a lot of money?
We encourage volunteers to spend little, if any, money on activities and not to give gifts to their Littles. Volunteers are not responsible for providing food, clothing, shelter or paying any other expenses for the child or his or her family. In the Community-Based program, volunteers may pay for expenses incurred during any outing or special activity (e.g. tickets to a Brewers game) they choose to participate in with their Little. (Some of these expenses are tax deductible. See a tax professional for further information.) The only cost to School-Based Bigs is transportation to and from the school. BBBS constantly provides information about free or inexpensive outings and events.

Where do the kids come from and what are they like?
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children between the ages of 6 but not more than 14 when matched, many from single-parent homes. Children are enrolled by their parent or guardian. The agency also receive referrals from schools and other youth service agencies, such as Washington County Social Services. Littles come from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds and live throughout Washington County. All the children in our programs could benefit from spending time with a positive role model or adult friend.

How do I know I’ll get along with my Little?
The main objective is to match the right mentor with the right child in order to create a successful, long-lasting relationship, thus striving to follow the volunteer’s preferences closely. Both the volunteers and families go through an application and interview process in which details about the child, the parent and the volunteer are gathered to help make the best possible match. These specifics include age, religion, personality, experience with children and family background. Once matched, one of the staff members will be assigned to oversee the relationship to make sure it’s rewarding for both the volunteer Big and the Little. Volunteers can always contact their Match Support Professional if questions or concerns arise.

What kinds of things do Bigs and Littles do together?
Being a Big is not about planning major events or outings – it’s just about sharing your time with a child. The activities chosen together will be based on mutual interests. Some examples include playing basketball, cooking a meal, planting a garden, helping with schoolwork, learning to play a musical instrument, going to the zoo or reading a book.

What is the process for becoming a Big?
To become a Big Brother or Sister, a volunteer needs to fill out an application (Mentor Inquiry Form) and provide BBBS with three references. The agency then performs background checks and one of our staff, an Enrollment Professional, will interview the volunteer to find out their preferences for a match, such as age, interests, personality and location. Based on these specifics the Enrollment Professional selects one of our unmatched children who they think would be a good match and will preview the Little with the volunteer. After hearing about the child, the volunteer can decide whether or not they’d like to be matched to that specific Little. Then the parent is given the volunteer’s profile. If the parent approves, the volunteer and the Enrollment & Match Professional will meet with the child and parent and make the match.

What type of support will I receive?
As a volunteer you are expected to have regular, ongoing contact with your Match Support Professional to make sure things are going well. The Match Support Professional is always available to answer questions, help with match concerns and provide match advice. Supporting the match is the agency’s biggest role and function after a match is created! Big Brothers Big Sisters also provides online activity ideas, e-mail alerts, mentoring resources, quarterly newsletters and a one-time “Big 101” training for all volunteers.

Are there other ways to support Big Brothers Big Sisters if I don’t become a mentor?
BBBS serves more kids when we have financial donations and new community partnerships to recruit volunteers. There is also a need for clerical/special event support from time to time. All of these are ways to support the mission of BBBS. Check out Get Involved and Fundraising for additional ideas.

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