Community Based Mentoring

Adult Mentors in the Community

The Community Based Mentoring Program is the core program available through Big Brothers Big Sisters. It is designed to replicate the original model established in 1904 in New York City. The primary reason a child is enrolled in the Community Based Mentoring Program is for the child to establish a friendship with a stable adult – one who can provide consistent support to the child.

Special programs within the core concept include:

• Mentoring Children of Prisoners: This community based opportunity is for children who have one or more parents under some type of state or federal supervision. There are over 5 million children in America who are growing up with a parent in prison. This program was created in order to break the negative cycle of incarceration by placing caring adults into the lives of these children.
• Couples as Bigs: This community based opportunity is for married couples that would like to mentor a child together. In this program, a child is matched with a couple to participate and share in activities together. The child may spend time with both the couple and individually on separate occasions This program was created to give couples a program choice to do together and an opportunity for our children to experience time spent with 2 caring adults.

Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship, where Bigs and Littles get together on their own to share fun activities they both enjoy. Matches typically meet for one hour a week. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekend. Others get together with their Littles in the evening. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them.

Getting together is a great time for both the Big and the Little. It doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activities; just a few hours every month to share the simple things you already like to do. Things like….

• Shooting hoops
• Playing a board game
• Sharing a pizza
• Taking a walk in the park
• Or just hanging out and talking

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters

The men and women who become Community Based Big Brothers and Big Sisters have the desire to make a difference in the life of a child. They must be at least 18 years of age, mature, stable, and responsible, as determined by the Big Brothers Big Sisters professional staff. Volunteers are asked to commit to the mentoring relationship for at least one year. The time spent with the Little Brother or Little Sister varies according to everyone’s schedule. Big Brothers and Big Sisters must complete an application process that includes orientation/training, criminal background check, home-visit/assessment, submit references, and an interview.

The Little Brothers and Little Sisters

Boys and girls are eligible to be Little Brothers and Little Sisters in the Community Based Mentoring Program if their parent/guardian completes the application/enrollment process and is willing to participate in the program. Families as partners is critical for success. The children may be struggling academically, emotionally, or socially. Many of the children have common emotional issues related to abandonment, rejection, grief, and isolation.