The order of the steps in the application and assessment process can vary from agency to agency, but the following is a general overview of the process. You, the volunteer applicant:

· Completes an application with their local agency

· Submits a vulnerable sector screen, criminal records check, and three or four references

· Participates in a one-to-one interview with a staff member at the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency

· Depending on the program, may be asked to participate in an assessment of their home environment

· Successfully completes an orientation and child safety training

· Is notified of their acceptance/non-acceptance

· If accepted as a volunteer mentor, signs an agreement of confidentiality

Similar to the application and assessment process, the matching process can vary from agency to agency and from program to program, but in general:

· The caseworker, now familiar with the volunteer and the children and youth waiting to be matched, discusses a potential match with the volunteer, the child or youth, and, depending on the program, with the family

· The caseworker arranges for a meeting between the child or youth, the volunteer mentor, and often the parent or guardian

If everyone agrees, the match can begin!

First and foremost, mentoring is about being a friend, a mentor to a child or youth.

Mentors make a difference in so many different ways! See our testimonials from various Little’s and their parents.

For most of our programs, you do have to be 18 years old, but we do have some opportunities for youth between the ages of 14-18. We always need more teen mentors for our In-school mentoring program. Contact us to find out more! We’re also always looking for volunteers that would be willing to help at events and that’s a good way to get involved! There is no maximum age, as long as you are willing to be matched and do things with your match!

All of our programs are free to join, but there are minimal costs associated with activities you might choose to do with your match. We encourage low-to-no cost activities when possible, but some matches set aside $10 – $20 for their outings. When possible we get tickets and passes to things for our matches to help keep things low cost for everyone.

Matches are based on what is called “best fit.” This is why we ask about your interests during intake and find out more about why you want to be a mentor! We also want to know about things you are interested in learning and trying. We use all that information to match you to a youth, but we always check in with you on the potential match before we help organize a match meeting with everyone. We’re there to help the conversations get started!

Make sure to let us know during your intake and we can talk about options. There are opportunities that can work for anyone! If you are in a match and will be away for a period of time we just ask that you let us, your match, and their family know and find ways to keep in touch while you will be away through letters, postcards, e-mails, or texts.

We’re always an office visit, phone call, or e-mail away! We love to hear about the awesome things in the matches, but we know that could be bumps and we are here to help you! We check in at different times to make sure things are running smoothly too, so you’ll hear from us often ?