Needs From: United Way Volunteer Connect

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama (BBBSSA) is the largest one-to-one mentoring organization in south Alabama serving over 600 children and a minimum of 1,800 people annually across four counties. Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We enlist adult volunteer, “Bigs”, and match them with “Littles”, who are children between the ages of 6-12 and would benefit the most from having a Big. The purpose of our services is to give children a caring and supportive adult mentor, who’s been thoroughly screened and trained, that will guide them to success, hold them accountable, and help them reach their full potential.

 Our School-based Mentoring program is in 41 schools (31 in Mobile County) and we currently have 39 local Corporate Partners, including The University of South Alabama, who allow their employees one hour a week to visit their Littles at school through our School-based Mentoring Program. School-based mentoring takes place on school grounds during school hours. Matches are encouraged to talk about academics, aspirations, and just have fun. It’s really all about friendship, guidance and building a relationship. A Match Specialist is assigned to each match and stays in contact with the Big, Little, school, and guardian through the entire relationship. Big Brothers Big Sisters is always there for Bigs; it’s a partnership.

 BBBS is America’s most impactful volunteer experience because our services provide a tangible way to change a life. Here in South Alabama, our 2019-2020 Youth Outcomes shows 98% of Littles maintained or improved academic performance;  99% of Littles maintained or improved upon social competence levels; 98% of Littles maintained or improved academically; 99%  of Littles reported having a very important adult in their lives.  

Requirements To Be A Big 

minimum one year commitment  time commitment is one hour a week in school-based and 4-6 hours a month in community-based able to commit to a one-to-one relationship minimum age requirement is nineteen has his/her own transportation and required state automobile insurance with valid drivers license for those in the community-based program must complete all components of enrollment process including background checks, references, in-person interview, and pre-match training be willing to communicate monthly with professional support staff

Our Littles

are primarily from single-parent or grandparent led households high percentage reside in high-risk, low-income neighborhoods ethnicity: 75% black, 21% white, & 4% other all Littles choose to be a part of the program

MENTORING BENEFITS

 Impact on your Little:                                                         Impact on the Big: 

provide stability                                                             ·happier attitude  they are more confident                                                 ·helps to relieve stress  they are more likely to steer clear of drugs and alcohol     ·fosters a clear sense of purpose and self-acceptance  do better in school                                                         ·great way to network with peers  get along better with family and friends                           ·receive valuable training  feel better about themselves                                          ·resume reflects valuable experience  change their perspective on life                                      ·improve job performance  push them to set higher goals                                         ·promotes leadership and skill development life changing for most                                                     · it’s a lot of fun

Impact in the Community:                                                   

creates quantifiable social impact helps bring community needs into focus improved likelihood that more of our kids will graduate high school provides skilled and talented volunteer pool, as professionals

 Enrollment Process

The enrollment process begins when you meet with one of our Match Specialists to complete the application paperwork.  Once the paperwork is complete, we begin the background and reference checks that usually take 4-6 weeks to get back.  While we wait, you will need to take our online volunteer training or attend one of the scheduled training's at the office.  Once the background and reference checks are complete, you will attend a volunteer orientation and ask any follow-up questions if needed. During the process, we will identify a Little for you.  When all of the following steps are complete, we will schedule a Match Meeting to introduce you to your new Little.  Big Brothers Big Sisters reserves the right to accept or deny participants, or close a match at any time.  

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Mentoring only requires that you be yourself.  Who could imagine that helping out with a Little's homework or playing a game of catch could reap such rewards?  You already demonstrate that you possess all the fundamental skills and abilities to be a successful mentor by your willingness to be there. Mentoring is about sharing your personal time.  It's not about money, gifts, or events. Mentoring is often as uncomplicated as engaging in what appears ordinary to most of us...helping a child with homework, playing games, talking, listening, letting a child run errands with you.  But to a child without a role model, these are extraordinary activities. The moment you become a mentor to a child, your experience is a success.  For these kids, your willingness to spend time with them is the most powerful act of all.

Let me know which program interests you, we would be happy to get you started on your way to becoming a BIG!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kelly at any time, kelly@bbbssa.org or 251-344-0536 ext 107.  We look forward to hearing from you!