Will I have the time?

We ask Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Big Couples to spend a few hours with your Little Sister or Little Brother on a weekly basis. In-School Mentors spend one hour a week with their mentee during school hours on school property during the school year. All of our volunteers lead busy lives, but find that the time spent with their “Littles” is an enjoyable and rewarding part of their week. We also recognize that there are occasional times that you may not see the child because of scheduling conflicts, vacations, etc. At those times, it is important that the child, the parent or the school are aware beforehand of these changes.

Can I make the one-year commitment to the child?

Children in our program are living either in a single parent household or in a disadvantaged situation. This means they have already suffered loss or disappointment in their lives. It is extremely important that you are prepared to follow through on the one-year commitment. More than 95% of our matches complete the first year successfully.

How can I be sure that the child and I will be compatible?

In the Traditional Program we spend lots of time getting to know our volunteers, the children and their families so that you and your “Little” are a good fit. We also give you the opportunity to pick a child from information we provide and to meet the child’s parent before you meet the child. In the In-School Mentoring Program we receive referrals for each child from the school staff, allowing us to match you with an appropriate child. Our success rate tells us that we are making good matches.

Should I be concerned about FALSE allegations of abuse?

Many people are fearful that a child might falsely accuse them of sexual abuse. Anyone who wants to work with children, either professionally, or, on a volunteer basis, must be prepared to deal with this issue. A false accusation, however, is an extremely rare occurrence even in the general population. We provide training on how to avoid any actions that someone else might misconstrue as abusive.  A serious concern for us is the possibility of real abuse taking place, whether it is physical, emotional, or sexual. We are committed to protecting the children, the community standing of our program, and the reputation of our volunteers. Our screening, training, and match follow-up  are the best that is realistically available.

What impact will I have on the child?

The friendship of a mentor can have a profound impact on the direction of a child’s life. More than 75% of matched children will improve their school performance and more than 90% have better relations with other children. You truly will “Make a Difference for Life”!