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| FAQ’s
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Why a mentoring program? Why not just play ball with the neighborhood kids? |
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1. Our program recruits volunteers who can make the commitment to making a difference for young people. 2. More than a pickup game of basketball, Bigs provide long-term friendship on a consistent, regular basis.
3. Volunteers in our program are screened for safety and trained in mentoring techniques. Matches are supervised the entire time they are meeting, to ensure that children are having a positive experience.
4. Match Support Specialists are trained staff who have experience working with families. Match Support Specialists connect families to resources in the community and provide support and encouragement to volunteers.
5. Finally, we have several structured and free activities throughout the year for matches. Local businesses and organizations regularly donate passes or tickets for services and events.
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What does the Big Brothers Big Sisters program cost? |
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Our programs are FREE for the children and families we serve. This is possible through the generous support of local businesses and individuals during our annual fundraising events. Visit the "Contribute" section of this site to learn more about how you can donate to our agency.
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Who are the professional staff? |
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Match Support Specialists are required to have a bachelor's degree and to pass a background check. Match Support Specialists have experience working with children and families and demonstrate knowledge of social work principles. Match Support Specialists are guided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's Standards of Practice for One-to-One Service.
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Is this a government agency or a national program? Where does the funding come from? |
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast is a local non-profit and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The Board of Directors helps guide the organization and coordinate our fundraising efforts. Please visit our "Community Support" page for more information on how local businesses and individuals contribute to our program.
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Who are the Little Brothers and Little Sisters? |
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Children who lack regular contact with one or both parents make up most of our Littles. Parents or guardians call us because they are worried about their child feeling lonely or isolated without a positive adult role model or friend. Children must be at least 6 to participate; once matched, youth can remain in our program until their 18th birthday. Visit the "Becoming a Little" section for more information.
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Who are the volunteers? |
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Bigs are volunteers of various ages and backgrounds. We recruit mentors who are active, fun-loving, patient and non-judgmental. Ages range from 15 to 80. Visit the "Be a Big" section to learn more about what we look for in Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
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How does Big Brothers Big Sisters differ from other youth organizations? |
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Most other youth organizations focus on group activities for children and teens. Our program is unique in that it provides children and teens with one-to-one attention from an adult who is there just for them. We encourage families to pursue other community opportunities for their children in addition to our program; including sports teams, afterschool programs, and youth-focused organizations.
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Are Big Brothers Big Sisters programs effective? |
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Most of us can recall an adult or grownup friend whose friendship was a positive, guiding force when we were children. Our program offers that experience to children who might not have "natural" mentor in a parent or other family member. Many institutions have conducted research on positive youth development and have concluded that one-to-one adult mentoring is one of the keys to youth achieving their full potential. One private study of the Big Brothers Big Sisters model concluded that children who are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are: 54% more likely to avoid illegal drugs73% more likely to refrain from using alcohol48% more likely to show up every day for school63% more likely to be truthful with their parents
You can read this study on mentoring and others like it by visiting the website of Public/Private Ventures and clicking on the "Publications" section.
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