As a parent, you recognize the potential of your child better than anyone. By giving them the opportunity to be part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, you’re starting them down a path to an even brighter, more promising future.
 
 Could your little one use a Big?
It all starts with the right role models. And Big Brothers Big Sisters is the place to start a relationship with one. For over 100 years, due in large part to private donations, we’ve been able to recruit, screen, match, and support mentoring relationships that have changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people across the country — one Little at a time.
You’ll feel the impact as much as your child.
A study for Big Brothers Big Sisters found that kids matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister:

  • are more confident
  • are more likely to steer clear of drugs and alcohol
  • do better in school
  • get along better with their family and friends
  • feel better about themselves


 
 

Safety from the start.
Your child's safety is extremely important to us. 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 match coordinator.
 

  • Client Eligibility Criteria

    • Aged 5 to 14 years (5 to 18 in School Based program)

    • Mentee should not be severely mentally or emotionally challenged

    • Parent/Guardian and child must want the services of a mentor

    • Live in Service Delivery Area (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale counties)

    • Must be in need of an additional same sex role model relationship

    • No evidence of drug or alcohol addictions

    • The absent parent must not object to the child’s participation in the program.

    • Mentee must be experiencing two or more of the following issues: 

    1. Single or non-parent home

    2. School problems (social, academic, behavioral)

    3. Strained relationship with parent

    4. Economic deprivation

    5. Poor social skills

    6. Culturally disadvantaged

    7. Peer relationships problems

    8. Family Problems

    9. Behavior issues at home

    10. Parent is disabled or has health issues

    11. Isolated Environment

    12. Poor self concept

    13. Controlling temper

    14. Juvenile Justice involved

    15. Referral from another social service agency, school counselor/therapist, etc.

    16. Parent or significant adult to child is incarcerated.

    17. Ability to form a relationship with an adult volunteer.


  • Parents are Our Partners

    About Your Role.                                        

    We need you to be an active Partner. You know what’s best for your child.  Working together, parents/guardians, Bigs, and BBBS staff members plan activities and opportunities that can have a powerful and positive impact on your child.  We’ll need your help from the start, providing information about your child’s strengths and needs. Together, we'll set goals for your child. Ultimately, you will have a chance to apporve the Big that our Match  Specialist feels will be best for them. But,  your role doesn’t end there. Here’s what you can expect to participate in as a partner in this match:

     

    Talk with Match Support monthly. We will contact you monthly to get your point of view about the match, observations and questions. This monthly contact is required - it allows us to provide support, and offer ideas if problems arise. Note that for safety purposes, we will suspend or terminate any match where consistent conversation is not occurring.

     

    Along with your child, participate in scheduled assessments and other requests, Big Brothers Big Sisters uses assessment surveys to identify resources you may need, to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and of course, to ensure safety of your child.

  • What about Child Safety?

    Making the best possible match between Little and Big is critical to the growth and development of a child. But before we begin the matching process, we start by thoroughly screening potential Bigs.


    Big Brothers Big Sisters National Standards of Excellence require each volunteer to complete an extensive screening process that includes:

    • Completion of a formal written application

    • Background and reference checks

    • An in-person interview

    • An orientation and training process that helps to equip the Big to support and encourage your child's development.


    Big Brothers Big Sisters also provides child safety tips to you and your child, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Throughout the life of the match, our professional staff will be 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 impact on your child’s future success.