ENROLL A CHILD
Could Your Child use a Big?
For over 100 years we’ve been recruiting, screening, and supporting mentoring relationships that have changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people across the country. We serve Tippecanoe, White, Benton, Warren, Fountain and Montgomery counties in Indiana. Not in our area? Search for a different BBBS by zipcode.
You’ll S
ee the Impact
A study for Big Brothers Big Sisters found that kids matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister:
- are more confident
- are more likely to steer clear of drugs and alcohol
- do better in school
- get along better with their family and friends
- feel better about themselves
.
Steps To Getting A Big
1. TALK WITH US
2. APPLY
3. COMPLETE TRAINING
4. MEET WITH US
5. PREPARE FOR A MATCH
6. MEET YOUR BIG
Families as Partners
When it comes to the future of our children and the well-being of our communities, we’re all in this together. So it should come as no surprise that we need the parents and guardians of Littles to be involved every step of the way.
You will help us identify your child’s strengths, personality, and needs to give us insight as to what sort of Big Brother or Big Sister will make a strong match. After you’ve approved your child’s mentor, you will remain highly engaged in many ways including:
- Approving and helping to coordinate activities and outings for your child and his or her Big.
- Asking your child questions about those outings, and sharing what you learn with the agency staff.
- Reporting your child’s progress and milestones to the agency on a regular basis (Big Brothers Big Sisters will contact you, but we welcome your feedback any time)
- Sharing with the agency about the relational development between your child and his or her Big.
- Participating in training on child safety offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff, and communicating with your child about the training he or she receives.
Child Safety
Making the best possible match between a Little and Big will result in positive growth and development for both parties. But before we begin the matching process, we start by thoroughly screening potential Bigs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters National Standards of Excellence require each volunteer to complete an extensive screening process that includes:
- Completion of a formal written application.
- Background and reference checks.
- An in-person interview.
- An orientation and training process that outlines the individualized needs of your child and provides information and resources on how to encourage your child’s development.
Big Brothers Big Sisters also provides child safety tips to you and your child, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Throughout the life of the match, our professional staff will be in ongoing communication with you, your child, and your child’s Big. It’s the best way to build a strong relationship that will have the greatest impact on your child’s future success.
For more information about enrolling a child, please contact Stacia Peters, Enrollment Specialist, at info@bbbslaf.org or 765-446-2227.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you can start something, you probably need a few questions answered.
It’s simple– Big Brothers and Big Sisters spend time with a child in need. They play, explore, talk and have fun together. As a dependable and supportive friend, Bigs offer guidance to Littles and help them navigate life’s challenges and choices.
We ask that each match participant (child, parent/guardian and volunteer) commit to at least one year of participation, with Bigs and Littles meeting 3-4 times a month.
A mentor acts as a positive role model, providing guidance to a person in need. He or she helps someone set and reach goals, identify and pursue opportunities, develop new skills, and improve self-esteem. Big Brothers and Big Sisters volunteer as mentors to children, offering support and stability and helping them build a strong foundation for the future.
No. You don’t have to pay to be a Little Brother or Little Sister. Our program is about developing a positive relationship with a Big Brother or Big Sister and spending time together.
We encourage participation in no-cost or low-cost activities and even provide Bigs with an ongoing calendar of fun, free activities. If, on occasion, your child and their Big take part in an activity that is not free, we ask the Big to cover the total cost, but ask families to send money for the Little’s cost when possible.
Research conducted for BBBS found that Little Brothers and Little Sisters are more confident, more likely to steer clear of drugs and alcohol, improve at school, get along better with their family and friends, avoid early parenting and feel better about themselves. Spending time with their Big helps Littles develop skills and abilities that contribute to a brighter future.
We serve Tippecanoe, White, Benton, Warren, Fountain and Montgomery counties in Indiana.
The enrollment and interview process help us get to know each other. It allows us to understand what kind of match relationship suits your child best. We consider your child’s personality, interests, background and location, but the final decision to accept or decline a match is yours.
Some matches take longer to make than others, depending on our enrollment levels, and your child’s specific needs. Boys sometimes have a longer wait due to lower numbers of men volunteering to be Bigs.
We recommend that Bigs and Littles keep a consistent schedule for outings and see each other on a regular basis. We ask that each match participant (child, parent/guardian and volunteer) commit to at least one year of participation, with Bigs and Littles meeting 3-4 times a month, mostly in-person, on a consistent schedule.
Matches must:
Maintain consistent and frequent communication and interaction to ensure safety, healthy match development and growth in the mentoring relationship.
Connect 3-4 times per month through in-person or virtual outings (e.g. video call) with a majority of activities being in person.
Engage with each other at least 4 hours total per month, which may include all outings, calls, texts, etc.
We encourage Bigs and Littles to do things that give them something to talk about and help them get to know each other. For example, they might play a board game, go for a hike or listen to music together. We want your child to have fun with their Big Brother or Big Sister. After all, playing is learning.
We do everything in our power to make matches that last. However, we realize that sometimes situations change or thing don’t work out. If this happens we’ll try to mediate and resolve the problem first, but if mediation is unsuccessful we will end the match. Your Match Support Specialist will support you and your child every step of the way, working toward the best possible outcome for everyone.
Although we ask for a minimum commitment of one year, matches in our program can continue until your child turns 18 and/or graduates high school.
After age 18, matches have the option to transfer to our Big Futures program. In Big Futures, the mentoring relationship remains active as your child transitions into adulthood and begins post-secondary education, prepares for the workforce, or enlists in military service.
But even Big Futures doesn’t have to be the end of your relationship– many friendships between Bigs and Littles last a lifetime.