Welcome
Dear Volunteer,
Thank you for choosing to make a difference in a child's life. There are all kinds of statistics that show what a huge difference a Big Brother or Big Sister can make in a child's life, but the numbers are often difficult to associate with real people and real life situations.
I invite you instead to think back to when you were younger. Who was the person in your life who made a difference to you? It may have been a neighbor who taught you a new skill, a cousin who took you to your first ball game, an aunt or uncle or family friend who taught you how to play catch or ride a bike or fly a kite or helped with math homework.
These are all magical moments for children that help them develop confidence in themselves and caring for the world around them. We all had someone in our lives, other than a parent, who made a difference to us. This is what you can do for a child in our program. It's so simple–it's just a matter of making yourself available on a consistent basis. It's showing you care. It's having fun with a child. It's listening to them talk about whatever is going on in their life. It's a series of small, teachable moments that in the end instill a sense of wonder, warmth, and magic into a child's life.
You are about to become a Big Brother or Big Sister–a friend to a child. And both your lives will be forever changed by the experience.
We're happy to have you in the Big Brothers Big Sisters family. I hope you have a wonderful experience.
Jeri Swinton
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
About BBBS
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been bringing a little magic into the everyday lives of children by matching them with high school and adult volunteers in fun and rewarding relationships since 1904. Our agency has been present in Louisville since 1967 and has expanded into 3 southern Indiana counties and into 8 additional counties in Kentucky.
We are very excited that you are considering being a volunteer with our agency. Friendship is a powerful thing. It's fun, it's easy and it's important. Experiencing fun activities together and forming a trusting bond with a child can have a powerful and positive impact on the child.
Regardless of whether you have chosen to participate in our site/school based program or our community program we hope you will be able to commit to meeting with your Little regularly for at least one full year.
We have two basic ways you can meet with your Little to build a fun friendship.
As a Big you can meet with a Little in the community, at a time convenient for both you and the child. You can take in a movie, go for a bike ride or whatever types of activities appeal to you both.
OR
Bigs and Littles can meet at the Little's school or other site, typically at the same day and time each week.
We have several site-based locations available to volunteers. Your Enrollment Specialist will discuss which site works best for you.
Who are our Littles?
Community Program Littles:
Children from our community who could benefit from having a positive adult role model. Children who like to have fun and are eager to participate. Ages 7 – 17: though once matched a child may remain in our program until age 18.
School-based/site Program Littles:
Children in our schools/sites who could benefit from having a positive high school or adult role model. Children are generally ages 5 to 14.
How do children come into the program?
Most children in our community program come to us through their parent or care-giver.
Most children in our site or school programs come to us through a teacher or counselor.
We also reach out to involve children through churches, youth service agencies, and other referral sources.
All children and their parents must want to be in our program.
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