Have you thought about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister but have some questions before you make the commitment? Below are some frequently asked questions about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AZ (BBBSAZ) and about becoming a Big!
- What exactly does a mentor “Big” do?
- Your goal as a Big is to build a positive friendship with a child in need of a role model. Bigs provide encouragement and advice, academic support if needed, and be a consistent support for their Little.
- Who are the mentees “Littles”?
- Our Littles are between the ages of 6-18, however we typically do not enroll youth into our program after the age of 15. Youth can stay in our program until they graduate from high school. All children and their families have to have the desire to be in our program. Every child we enroll expresses interest in having a Big.
- What is the time commitment?
- We ask volunteers to commit to seeing their Little 2-4 times per month, for at least one year.
- What are some of the activities that Bigs and Littles do together?
- This can be anything you both find enjoyable! Riding bikes, going to the park, checking out a museum, getting ice cream or going to a sporting event.
- What are some of the benefits of being a Big?
- One of the many benefits of being a Big is getting exclusive access to our ThinkBig Website. This is a unique opportunity for Bigs and Littles to get access to free ticket offers and discounts thanks to the generosity of our ThinkBig partners. Past donations have included tickets for all major sporting events, like the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Cardinals, passes for Museums like the Phoenix Children’s Museum and discounts for movies and other fun opportunities!
- Can I volunteer with my spouse or children?
- Absolutely! We have the option of enrolling you as a couple or family match. Couple and family matches will be matched to a Little whose family has already agreed to the couple and family match terms. Your children and/or spouse will also be interviewed.
- What support does BBBSAZ provide for Bigs?
- All of our Big and Little “Matches” are assigned to a Program Specialist. The role of the Program Specialist is to oversee the match. We always want to ensure that our Matches are on a successful path and we keep a detailed history of the entire match relationship.
- What are the programs I can volunteer in?
- We have lots of options for volunteering with our agency. Our two main programs are Community-Based and Site-Based. Our Community-Based program allows Bigs and Littles the flexibility to meet up in the community on days and times that are convenient for them. Our Site-Based program is where the Big and Little meet at one of our partner sites during either the child’s lunch break or after school.
- What are other ways I can support BBBSAZ outside of mentoring?
- You can donate your clothes and small household items to Savers Thrift Stores. You can advocate for us! Word of mouth is our most successful recruitment tool. You can also consider joining our Mentor Circle. It is the BBBSAZ monthly giving program. You can learn more about these opportunities here!
- I have additional questions, where can I get some more information?
- BBBSAZ hosts weekly virtual Volunteer Information Sessions! These 30 minute sessions contain valuable information about becoming a Big and is the first step needed in order to become a Big! You can register for these sessions here.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out to Community Outreach Specialist, Noelle, at nbish@bbbsaz.org
