VOLUNTEER
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do. Not to mention one of the most fulfilling. You can help shape a child’s future for the better by inspiring positive change and empowering them to achieve what they never dreamed possible. And the best part is, it’s a lot of fun.
Help start a Little on their path to big things!
If you’re ready to ignite potential and make a difference in a child’s life, take the first step by signing up and letting us know you’re interested in volunteering.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Pass a background check
- Have a valid CA drivers license, insurance, and vehicle
- Commit to at least one year in the program
- Big Couples must meet all of the above requirements and be in a relationship of 2+ years.
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
BENEFITS FOR BIGS
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Increased Self-awareness and Personal Growth
Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Role modeling for your Little how to achieve success in life can be substantially rewarding. -
Enhanced Cultural Awareness
Gain a better understanding of other cultures and develop a greater appreciation for ethnic, socio-economic status, and ideological diversity. -
Experience Impact
90% of our Bigs (mentors) share their Littles made more of an impact on their life than they made on their Little. That’s not by accident, the power of mentoring is reciprocal.
Studies show that volunteering returns to you $1,000 a year in well being (a measure of happiness and health).
BENEFITS FOR LITTLES
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Educational Success
Littles have a better sense of hope for their future and are likely to have better school attendance, improved grades, and increased post high school graduation success. -
Reduction and Avoidance of Risky Behavior
When Littles have an extra support person in their corner reminding them how much they matter, they tend to improve their overall behavior, including avoiding violence, alcohol and drugs. -
Get Along Better with Family and Friends
Littles become more confident, develop increased trust in adults, learn how to make better choices, and improve their social skills.
THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You’ll meet with your Little twice a month as a community mentor.
Together, you decide what you want to do and then your Little gets parent approval. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule of outings and see each other on a regular basis.
Volunteers can apply to be a Big if they are retired, in college or graduate school, or do not work outside the home. However, if a volunteer is between jobs we require they be employed at least one month before applying to be a Big.
In our Community Based program, Littles generally are initially enrolled between 6 and 16 years old. Youth are enrolled through high school in our Site Based program. We serve all youth, and any child is welcome, including those living in single-parent homes, growing up in poverty and coping with parental incarceration.
The quality of time invested with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend. That’s why we don’t encourage spending a lot of money on your outings. The goal of the relationship is to help them see the world through a different lens so you can inspire them to become something he never thought possible. If you are going to spend money, we encourage you to seek out low-cost activities, especially in the beginning. Shoot hoops at a local park, play a game together, or share that pizza that you were going to have for lunch anyway. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies offer donor-supported group activities that are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles. As a Big, you may also receive notices for free tickets to cultural and sports activities for you both to enjoy.
We conduct in-depth interviews with the Bigs, Littles, and parents/guardians enrolling in our program so we can get to know all parties and can make the best match! We make matches based on common interests, personalities, preferences, and geography.
We encourage Bigs in our Site Based program to choose a location they can commute to relatively easily. In our Community Based program we ask if Bigs are willing to drive up to 45 minutes but we try make matches where the Big and Little are within 30 minutes of each other. We recognize that lengthy travel takes up too much time and can undermine the longevity and quality of a match.
All volunteers and employees are subject to background checks that include obtaining references from people who know them well. Also we conduct a National Criminal Background Check at the time of enrollment and every 3 years if match remains active, Federal Background Check, DCFS Child Abuse/Neglect, Public Domain Search, Motor Vehicle Check, and fingerprinting.
In the Community Based program Bigs and Littles do normal, everyday activities that ultimately build friendships and change lives! Going out for ice cream, going to a baseball game, cooking a meal, visiting a museum – the Big and Little can decide what they want to do together! In the Site Based program fun and engaging activities are led by the Program Coordinator.
Bigs must be at least 18 years old to mentor in our Community Based program.
In the Community-Based Program it’s up to you and your Little, but most matches meet on the weekends.
Yes you can! You’ll have a dedicated and professionally trained Match Support Specialist who will assist you throughout the duration of the match with helpful suggestions designed to specifically enhance your relationship with your Little.
Yes, you will participate in a volunteer training workshop where we will walk you through situational scenarios to help prepare you for your match. We also have a series of online videos for you to watch to feel completely comfortable in your match. In addition, your match support specialist will be there every step of the way to offer customized support as your match progresses.
Yes! Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to ensuring its programs are inclusive to all youth and volunteers. Equality, diversity and inclusiveness are critical components of our mission. We encourage volunteers of all sexual orientations, races, colors, religions, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, ages, national origins, disabilities, marital status or military status to get involved. Click here to learn more about our commitment to our LGBTQ+ mentors and youth.
We handle this on a case-by-case basis. It is important that you disclose this to us and address it fully. In some instances an offense may not be an obstacle because it is minor or long ago. In other instances, for example a case that is still open, it is a disqualifier.
Yes. All volunteers either must be a legal US resident for at least 12 months.
In both the Community Based and Site Based programs, Bigs and Littles set goals around three outcome areas: Educational Achievement (improving attitudes about school, improving grades, addressing truancy, discussing career aspirations, etc), Avoidance of Risky Behavior (peer pressure, drug and alcohol use, gangs, making healthy choices), and Socio-Emotional Competency (developing healthy peer relationships, self-confidence, etc).
