Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Huge Rewards
By Teresa Ambord
Chances are, you've heard of Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS). But have you ever checked it out? For the past 100 years BBBS has been pairing responsible, caring adults with kids who lack one or both parents.
How Does BBBS Work?
It's a simple concept that is treated with the greatest care. Trusted adults are matched with children who need the influence of a man or woman with their best interests at heart. The adults, also known as "Bigs" commit to spending three to five hours once a week with their "Littles" over a period of a year.
BBBS is an entirely volunteer program. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and generally must have lived in the area where they wish to volunteer for a specified period of time. Great pains are taken to thoroughly screen adult volunteers for appropriateness and safety. Once accepted into the program they receive orientation and training about mentoring and child development. At every stage, the program is professionally monitored and managed to ensure quality and safety.
Does BBBS Get Results?
Unlike many government programs that are so mired in red tape that they lose their effectiveness, BBBS has proven results. A national survey of BBBS showed the following statistics. Littles who met regularly with their Bigs were:
- 46% less likely to use drugs
- 27% less likely to use alcohol
- 33% less likely to engage in violence
- 52% less likely to miss school
Not only did the Littles miss less school, but their grades improved slightly. Their overall perceptions about school and life in general were better. And they felt their relationships with their peers were more positive.
A Sense of Community
Some BBBS programs offer the Littles a chance to participate in community services, such as stocking shelves at food banks. This broadens their view of the world, lets them feel like a part of the larger society, and gives them a sense of pride in being able to help someone else.
Three Avenues of Participation
If becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister sounds like a noble activity to you, there are three different ways to do it:
- You can be a community-based mentor, committing to a one-year program, spending weekly time with your Little, serving as a friend and role model, enjoying activities that you both share.
- You can be involved in school-based mentoring, spending one to two hours each week for three months, doing homework, school projects, or shooting hoops together.
- You and your spouse and/or children could participate as a couple or a family. This is similar to community-based mentoring. Couple/family mentoring matches the mentors with a child based on similar interests. The couple commits to spend time with the young person every week for a minimum of a year.
There May Be a Child Out There Who Needs You
BBBS is one program that really works. You don't have to be a rocket scientist, a beauty queen, a star-athlete, or even a social worker. You just have to have a heart big enough to reach out to a kid and show them that there are decent people in the world who care about them.
