Volunteering as a Big Brother or Big Sister offers a unique one-on-one relationship to a 6 to 13 year old child from a one-parent home. The "Little" (child) and "Big" (volunteer) are matched through common interests they share.

The Big and Little go on various activities each week that they both choose. They might go to the zoo or to the beach. They might play catch, fly a kite or play a game. The Big Brother/Big Sister program schedules organized activities for the matches as well. There is the summer picnic, the Christmas party and tours to various businesses.

There are many benefits for both the Big and the Little in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. The child has a positive role model in his life who will add consistency and stability to his life. The child will have the opportunity to grow and learn from the volunteer. The volunteer will benefit from seeing the child grow and experience new things. The volunteer will also have the satisfaction of knowing that he/she can make a difference in a child's life. It is hoped that through this relationship a friendship will be formed. A friendship that will affect a child positively for years to come.

The close involvement with a child requires that a Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer possess the positive traits of mature character and judgement while maintaining stability in his or her own life circumstances. The Big's motive must be genuine as well as his or her love and concern for the children of today.

The role of a Big is to be a positive role model. A Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer may help prevent minor difficulties from developing into more serious problems later in a child's life. The volunteer must be understanding, kind, sincere, patient, and provide the child with security and consistency.

One of the first things that generally happens in a Big Brother/Big Sister relationship is that the child will test the limits of the volunteer to see if the friendship is truly genuine. The child most likely has experienced many disappointments in his/her young life and may be resistant at the beginning. This should be perceived as an attempt to protect himself from yet another disappointment. The volunteer needs to be patient and consistent in dealing with a child's behaviors in order to develop a secure and trusting relationship.

After the match introduction, the volunteer is required to see the child a minimum of three hours a week for a one year period.

Volunteering in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program is a serious commitment that can produce a healthy and trusting friendship to a child who has that lacking in their life.

Please consider volunteering today... Call Joe Tarquinio, Coordinator, Jessica Dirks, or Renee Gallagher at (814) 866-4500 for more information.