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 Program Outcome Evaluation Metrics revealed 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. These results galvanize our relentless commitment to fighting for the children of Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile and Monroe Counties.
We are not saviors or heroes. Instead, we create and professionally support meaningful match relationships to help children ignite and harness their own potential—the potential they have had all along. And Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country have been doing just that for 120 years; locally we’ve been serving families for over 20 years. We clear a path to a child’s biggest possible future in partnership with the child’s parent/guardian and Big. Big Brothers Big Sisters regularly keep a waiting list of children and schools requesting their services. Our Littles have the potential to change the world, and we are standing together to defend them. Join us.
Requirements to be a BIG:
- Minimum of one year commitment
- One hour a week, based on your schedule
- Ability to commit to a one-to-one relationship
- Minimum age of 19
- Has a vehicle for transportation
- Mist complete all components of enrollment process including background checks, references, in-person interview, and pre-match training (offered onsite at your company)
- Willing to communicate monthly with Match Specialist for support
Enrollment Process
The enrollment process begins when you meet with one of our Match Specialists to complete the application paperwork, background forms, and interview. 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. 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!
