The Big Brother or Big Sister Program has changed lives for the better for decades. You can get involved in this rewarding program and contribute to the life of a young boy or girl in a just a few hours each week. The program joins young boys and girls from single parent homes where a male or female influence is missing – with older male or female ‘big brothers or sisters’. As a Big Bro or Sis you will spend two to four hours per week with your ‘little’ brother or sister in a spirit of friendship, guidance and supportive companionship. Exact age groups differ from community to community but the general age is between seven and twelve and you will need to be at least nineteen to sign up. Read on to find out how you can become a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child.
Who Qualifies as a Volunteer?
Anybody can volunteer for the program but in general an applicant should be a caring individual over the age of 19. There is no upper age limit for the Big Brother or Big Sister program.
You don’t need any special skills to join the program and your religion and culture is not important. The one thing you DO need is a strong and passionate commitment to sharing your time with a young child. It helps to be an active and healthy individual so that your time together can be as enjoyable as possible.
What do Big Brothers and Sisters Do?
As a Big Brother or Big Sister, you will be expected to spend about two to four hours each week with your little brother or sister and commit to doing this for a full year.
How Long are ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ Paired For?
On average, a match will last for about two to three years but some ‘Bigs’ stay involved with the child for many years or until the boy or girl turns nineteen.
Will I Need to Own My Own Car to be a Big Brother or Big Sister?
It’s not essential to own a car to join the Big Brother or Big Sister program. There are many Big and Little Brothers / Sisters that happily make use of public forms of transportation. If you become a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child it doesn’t matter how you get around – only that you get along!
Where Do the Children Come From?
All the children have one thing in common: they are all from single parent families. There are parents who are on welfare assistance in the program but most are working mothers.
The program is not intended as a form of intervention or assistance for family problems but as a source of friendship and guidance for young children. In fact ‘Bigs’ are advised not to become involved with problematic family issues.
Most children may be called typical youngsters who could benefit from a meaningful friendship with an older ‘brother’ or ‘sister’.
Are There Any Costs Involved?
It is free to volunteer as a Big Brother or Big Sister but you will need to pay your share of any costs involved in the activity you do with your little brother or sister.
The child’s parent is asked to cover his or her share. You may decide to pay for all the expenses involved but it should not be done on every occasion. Low cost excursions that can be accommodated by the parent’s finances are encouraged.
What Do the Kids Enjoy Doing?
Little Brothers and Sisters love the outdoors and swimming, mountain biking, and roller-blading are very popular activities but they also like movies, video games or other activities unique to their specific interests. Some children enjoy team sports while there are those who lover creative activities like art, model building, Lego and wood working.
You don’t need to overspend on an excursion – the idea is to spend some quality time with your little brother or sister each week, doing an activity you both enjoy.
Some states and communities offer two forms of the Big Brother or Big Sister program:
1) Community-based programs in which the matches are based on a one-on-one friendship with a child from a single-parent family. The goal is to increase the child’s self esteem and provide scope for the adult to enjoy time with the child while sharing friendship with somebody who needs their support and guidance.
2) Site-based or School-based programs in which children of elementary school age meet with volunteers from businesses, high schools or colleges. These volunteers join in activities on-site for perhaps an hour each week.
We hope you found the above basic information about the Big Brother or Big Sister Program helpful. If you feel inspired and want to become a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child we suggest you contact an organization in your state or community for their specific requirements as these do vary across the different regions of the United States. You can also contact the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association at http://www.bbbsa.org for links to specific community branches of the program and more in depth information on this exciting and mutually rewarding program. Happy mentoring!