LUNCH BUDDIES
In our school-based Lunch Buddies program, Bigs and Littles meet at the same time and school each week for one-to-one meetings. They might share a lunch hour, play checkers, work on a project, or have a good conversation!
AFTER SCHOOL
The once-a-week After School Bigs & Littles Program offers youth the opportunity to develop skills needed to thrive by building safe, healthy relationships with screened, trained, committed high school student volunteers facilitated by BBBS staff.
BOWDOIN BEARS & CUBS
We partner with Bowdoin’s McKeen Center to match Bowdoin students with local children to share time and friendship. Activities on the Bowdoin campus for six Sundays per semester include games, crafts, sports, swimming, projects, and more.
COMMUNITY MATCHES
Community matches involve one-on-one outings and activities outside of school. Matches meet 2-4 times a month and do things they enjoy together, such as taking a walk in the park, going to a museum, listening to music, cooking, playing games, or simply just hanging out and talking.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
70% of Little Brothers & Sisters have an improved positive sense of the future.
83% of Little Brothers & Sisters have improved self-confidence
78% of Little Brothers & Sisters have improved ability to express feelings.
74% of Little Brothers & Sisters have an improved attitude toward school.
ENSURING CHILD SAFETY
We believe that all children and youth deserve to live in a world that makes them feel cared for a protected. Helping to ensure the safety and well-being of every child in our programs is our highest priority.
Big Brothers Big Sisters conducts a thorough background check on every volunteer in our program, and every relationship is closely monitored and supported by a professionally trained program manager.
We also provide child safety tips and training to you and your child, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Throughout the match, our professional staff will supervise the match partnership 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 significance on your child’s future success.
LITTLE REQUIREMENTS:
- Be ages 6 to 16 at the time of match
- Be resident of Brunswick, Harpswell, or Sagadahoc County
- Be available to participate in activities with their Big regularly (school-based programs 1 time a week; community based 2-4 times a month)
- Like the idea of having a Big Brother or Sister
- Be able, along with their parent/guardian, to communicate regularly by telephone with BBBs staff and the child’s Big
- Be willing to make a minimum one-year commitment once they are matched
STEPS TO ENROLL A CHILD
1. Complete the Enrollment Application. (Mentoring relationships are only successful when the child wants to be matched with a Big.)
2. Schedule an interview with BBBS staff to review the application and discuss the Little's needs and interests. For school-based programs, BBBS staff will set up a time to intervew the Little at their school. Our goal is to get to know the child well enough to make the best match.
3. When we think we have a volunteer who would be a good fit with the Little*, we will call you to share information about the potential volunteer to see if you think he/she is a good fit. If you and the Little agree that the potential volunteer sounds suitable, we will set up a match meeting to introduce everyone. At this point, the match relationship begins!
4. Once a match is made, Big Brothers Big Sisters' high-quality Standards of Practice require ongoing contact with Bigs, Littles, and parents. For community-based matches, that means a monthly connection to confirm that Big and Little are getting along well, ensure child safety, and support the relationship. School-and-site-based programs will have an initial second-week check-in with the parent/guardian and monthly check-ins with Bigs and Littles. Our agency will always work for the best interests of the child.
*Please note: Once the application process is complete, the Little will be placed on our waiting list for a Big Brother or Sister. Please understand that the wait for a suitable match can be lengthy, as our ability to match children depends entirely on volunteers approaching our agency to get involved. Your location and preferences regarding a potential Big may influence your child’s waiting time. BBBS staff remains in contact with families during the wait and may request updated information from time to time.
