Client Program Information

It is the belief of Big Brothers Big Sisters that every child deserves a person in his or her life that they can count on to be there through all the successes and struggles of childhood – someone who will take the time to listen and guide that child in developing a positive self image and sense of well-being.

 What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?

 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is a non-profit agency serving children between the ages of seven and fourteen living in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Morrison counties.  We match these children with caring volunteers who provide role modeling and support in an effort to promote the child's social, emotional and character development.

 Volunteers:

 Volunteers can include Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Big Couples and Big Families.  We understand that parents/guardians place a great deal of trust in Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide their child with an appropriate volunteer.  Our volunteer assessment process is designed to identify appropriate volunteers and acquaint them with their roles and responsibilities as a volunteer.  Our screening included an in-depth interview, personal reference checks, a national background check and driving record check.  Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to commit to consistent meetings with a child for a minimum of 12 months.

 Children:

 The assessment process for the child and parent/guardian is designed to identify the needs and abilities of a child and determine the child's motivation for participation in the program. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Child must be between the ages of seven and fourteen.
• Child is a permanent resident of Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Morrison counties.
• Child and parent/guardian must be able to actively participate in the program for a minimum of 12 months.  This includes in-person meetings and regular phone contact.
• Child must be capable and have a desire to form a relationship with a volunteer.

 Matching Process:

1. After determining the child's eligibility and commitment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program the parent/guardian must complete a Client Application and submit the completed form to the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency office.  The parent/guardian will be contacted by a Child Enrollment Specialist to schedule an interview with the child and parent/guardian.
2. The interview will include the parent/guardian and child being interviewed separately to determine the eligibility, needs and abilities of the child for the program.  The parent/guardian will be given a Child Safety packet and asked to review it with the child.
3. After all information has been obtained and assessed the Child Enrollment Specialist will make a determination regarding the child's acceptance into the program.  The parent/guardian will be notified upon the child's acceptance. 
4. Upon the child's acceptance his/her name will be added to the Waiting List until an appropriate volunteer is identified.  The agency will regularly contact the parent/guardian for updates in order to reassure that the child is still on the waiting list and to confirm that contact information is updated for future use.  The child's family will also start receiving monthly newsletters to keep in touch with the agency and be notified of available agency activities for the child.
5. Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully chooses an appropriate volunteer for the child.  Factors considered include: interests, personalities, location, abilities/needs of child, preferences of parent/guardian and volunteer and how long the child has been on the Waiting List. When an appropriate volunteer is found the parent/guardian will be contacted to schedule a match meeting.  It is important for all contact information be up to date.
6. The parent/guardian, child and volunteer(s) will meet for the first time with the assigned Case Manager.  Everyone must approve the relationship before the match is official. 
7. The volunteer(s) and child are asked to meet for two to five hours on a consistent weekly schedule.  The volunteer(s) and parent/guardian will schedule these weekly meetings and the parent/guardian must approve of match activities. 
8. Match activities are chosen by the volunteer and child and can vary from shooting hoops, cooking dinner, seeing a movie or running errands.  Some match discounts are available in the community but children are expected to pay for their part of a match activity. Parent/guardians and volunteers are strongly encouraged to regularly discuss the cost of activities.  Agency policy allows for sleepovers upon approval of the Case Manager and after the match has passed six months together.
9. During the first 12 months of a match the parent/guardian, child and volunteer are required to maintain contact with their Case Manager on a monthly basis.  This is done for the safety of the child as well as to support the match and promote growth.  It is important for match well-being for the Case Manager to be notified of any successes and concerns.
10. Each child and match is unique.  Typically we see an improvement in the child's self-esteem, family and peer relationships, ability to trust and academic performance.  Our goal is to provide an additional, positive role model that can offer guidance and support in dealing and succeeding through the struggles of childhood.

Parent/Guardian & Youth Expectations

What to expect from Big Brothers Big Sisters:

• Good customer service – via phone, email, mail and in-person consultation.
• Identification of areas of growth for the child and support of his/her progress.
• Assistance to all parties if difficulties arise in the match.
• Satisfaction surveys and program evaluations.
• Resources, referrals and a listening ear when needed.

Parent/Guardian Expectations:

• Provide the volunteer(s) and Case Manager with up-to-date phone numbers, addresses and emails and appropriate information for emergency contact.
• Schedule weekly meetings with the volunteer(s) via phone/email.  Also expected to respond to contact from the volunteer in a timely and efficient manner.
• Encourage the child to communicate with the volunteer(s) through phone calls, emails and through conversations when they are together.  Remind the child to use manners.
• Understand that the time your child spends with the volunteer(s) is important.  Never use this time as a reward or punishment.  If there are difficulties with your child, communicate this with the volunteer(s) and use them as your ally.
• Make decisions on whether to approve or not approve each activity and tell the Case Manager if there are any concerns about the match relationship.
• Notify the Case Manager if the volunteer(s) wants to exceed weekly contact, is spending sums of money on gifts, clothing for the child or family, or violates agency policy.
• Remember that this is a friendship between the child and volunteer(s).  Don't expect special favors from the volunteer(s), allow others to go with the match for activities, or become too involved with the volunteer(s).
• Discuss the cost of match outings with the volunteer(s) regularly.  The child is expected to pay for their share of an activity.  Remind your child not to ask for gifts or expensive outings.
• Ensure the child is appropriately dressed and ready on time for each meeting.
• Contact the volunteer as soon as possible if your child is unable to attend a scheduled meeting with the volunteer(s).
• Make arrangements with the volunteer(s) if you cannot be at home when your child is to return from the match outing.
• Maintain contact with the Case Manager as required throughout the match.  Make and return calls/emails in a timely manner.  Matches can be suspended and closed if these contact requirements are not fulfilled.

Child Expectations:

• Share interests and ideas to help plan match activities with the volunteer(s). 
• Talk with the volunteer(s), share thoughts, problems and learn together.
• Be ready on time and dressed for the activity.
• Always use manners, say please and thank you.
• Do not ask to bring friends or family along on match meetings.
• Do not expect the volunteer(s) to spend money or buy gifts.
• Follow safety rules with the volunteer(s).  Ex. wear seat belt, life preservers, helmets.
• Talk with your parent/guardian and Case Manager about your match and what happens during match activities.  If the volunteer(s) makes you uncomfortable tell someone.  Do not keep secrets with your volunteer(s).
• Talk with the Case Manager as required throughout the match.  Contact the Case Manager if there are ever any problems.

Volunteer Expectations:

• Understand you are committing to a friendship, not a parenting role.
• Schedule match meetings and obtain approval for activities with the parent/guardian in a timely, consistent manner. 
• Discuss the cost of match outings with the parent/guardian regularly.  The child is expected to pay for their share of an activity. 
• Consistently meet with the child once a week for two to five hours.
• Contact the parent/guardian as soon as possible when you are unable to attend a scheduled meeting with the child. 
• Pick up and drop off the child at his/her front door.
• Never leave the child unsupervised or in the care of another adult.  Do not allow others to drive the child anywhere.
• Follow safe driving rules. Ex. do not speed, wear seatbelts, small children sit in back seat.
• Model appropriate use of safety gear. Ex. Helmets, life preservers.
• Do not use alcohol/illegal drugs prior to and during any match meeting.  Do not use tobacco during any match meeting. 
• Use appropriate language. Ex. No swearing, do not use phrases like “gay” or “sexy.”
• Report any safety issues surrounding the child to the Case Manager.
• Attend agency activities whenever possible with the child.
• Continue to carry the state required car insurance.

Fact Sheet

Mission:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota helps children reach their full potential by providing positive growth experiences through one-to-one professionally supported mentoring relationships with caring, trained volunteers.

Vision Statement:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota will match every child in our service area who needs and wants one with a caring and professionally trained mentor and friend.  Our caring volunteers nurture children through positive life experiences that will impact the children's life forever.  Little Moments. Big Magic. Huge Impact.

Historical Information:

Big Brothers Big Sisters was organized in 1904 in New York City.  The Big Brothers movement was initiated after a local judge secured promises from a group of influential men that each one of them would befriend one boy who had been before the court.  In 1969, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota was incorporated to serve the central Minnesota counties of Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and Morrison.  The agency's main office is located in St. Cloud, with a satellite office in Elk River.

Statistics:

A nationwide study conducted over an 18-month period by Public/Private Ventures confirmed the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.  This study followed 959 children between the ages of 10 and 16.  Their findings demonstrate the importance of the BBBS mentoring relationship.  Of the children in the study who were involved in a Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship:

                                    52% were less likely to skip school
                                    32% were less likely to use violence
                                    46% were less likely to begin using illegal drugs
                                    27% were less likely to use alcohol
                                    36% were less likely to lie to a parent

Locally, BBBS surveys of children involved in a school-based match relationship also show dramatic results:

            65% of teachers reported an improvement in the child's attitude toward school
            60% of teachers reported improved academic performance
            80% of children improved their grade in at least one subject, of those, 35% improved in three or more
            62% of Bigs and 70% of teachers noted increases in the child's self-confidence

Relationships and Mentoring:

Historically, mentoring has had a helping-to-learn aspect to it; for example, an older person guiding a younger person, usually around some prescribed activity or aspect of life.  Big Brothers Big Sisters work,  however focuses on friendship as the primary aspect of the relationship,  which will lead to a feeling of trust over time, and which then may lead to some aspects of learning, regardless of the subject or behavior.  But the relationship – the trust, the mutually shared experiences of everyday life – is the essence of service.  While the word mentoring is now used, for the most part, interchangeably with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America emphasis is on the quality of the relationship between the volunteer and the child, and not on a set of prescribed activities.

Program Options:

Community-Based Program:  Community-based mentoring is a one-to-one mentoring program where a Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple or Big Family has the opportunity to be matched with a child who shares similar interests.  Community-based matches are matched for a minimum of one year and are professionally supported by a case management team.

School-Based Program:  School-based mentoring is a one-to-one mentoring program where a Big Brother or Big Sister meets with a child in the child's school, 1 to 2 hours per week, for one academic year, and maintaining contact over school breaks.  The school-based program offers a great new option for people who want to impact a child's life and develop a rewarding friend, but may be limited by their busy schedules.

Site-Based Program:  Site-based mentoring is a one-to-one mentoring program where a Big Brother or Big Sister meets with a child in a particular site location (Ex. Boys & Girls Club, Bel Clare Estates), 1 to 2 hours per week, for one year.  The site-based program offers another option for people who want to impact a child's life and develop a rewarding friendship, but may be limited by their busy schedules.