Community-Based Mentoring

Many relationships between Bigs and Littles fall under our Community-Based programs. In the Community Programs a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple spends a few hours per month with a child and agrees to a year-long commitment. Couples married for at least two years are eligible to be a Big Couple. The volunteers are encouraged to engage in community service activities with their Little and take them to one-to-one outings and activities, doing things they enjoy doing together like:

1. Taking a walk in the park
2. Going to a museum
3. Going on a picnic
4. Volunteering at an animal shelter
5. Shooting hoops
6. Cooking or baking
7. Listening to music
8. Hanging out and talking

Discount rates are offered at many Greater Lafayette restaurants and recreational facilities for our Big/Little matches.

WITHIN THE COMMUNITY PROGRAM THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT PROGRAM TYPES:

1. Traditional Community
   Volunteers are matched with children enrolled between ages seven and fourteen years whose parent/guardian has requested a mentoring relationship.
2. Faith-Based 
   Volunteers may discuss their faith as well as encourage the faith journey of a child enrolled between the ages of seven and fourteen. The preference of the parents or guardians regarding a particular faith is always sought and honored.  
3. Partners
   Volunteers are matched with youth ages seven to 18 involved in truancy mediation or juvenile probation.  These youth are referred by Juvenile Probation, Truancy Mediation, or Cary Home for Children.