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Welcome to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area

Our mission is to facilitate and enhance the positive development of youth through volunteer friendships, mentoring, and outreach services. Thank you for your interest in our program. On this site you can find out how our program works, why it is important, and how you can get involved. Whether you’d like to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, a member of our Board of Directors, or a participant in one of our fund-raisers, I invite you to take a look. And then invite your friends!

–  Exective Director, Tanya Ettenhofer

Volunteering is fun!  Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things you will ever do.

It’s easy, too. Your Little can join you for the kinds of activities you already like to do, such as:

  • Shooting hoops
  • Playing a board game
  • Sharing a pizza
  • Taking a walk in the park
  • Or just hanging out and talking.

Researchers found that after 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, the Little Brothers and Little Sisters, compared to those children not in our program, were:

  • 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
  • 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
  • 52% less likely to skip school
  • 37% less likely to skip a class
  • 33% less likely to hit someone
  • They also found that the Littles were more confident of their performance in schoolwork and getting along better with their families.


Our Programs

MENTORING MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE


We believe that there are three areas in which a Big Brother or Big Sister can have an impact on a child. They are competence, confidence, and caring. Through a 1995 study done by Public/Private Ventures, Inc. it was proven that children who are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are:

  • 46% less likely to start using drugs
  • 27% less likely to start using alcohol
  • 52% less likely to skip a day of school
  • 33% less likely to engage in violent behavior

In addition, participants have shown marked academic improvement, improved attitudes toward school, and better relationships both at home and at school.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring services through two programs: the community-based program, and the school-based program.

The community-based program matches volunteers from all walks of life with children ages 6 – 13. Every ‘Big’ must go through a screening process. Although thorough, the process is made quick and convenient for the volunteer. Volunteers are interviewed by BBBS professional staff to get as much information as possible. Children and families, too, are assessed to guarantee the best possible match. Matches are made based on similar interests, personality, background, and geographic location. Professional staff are looking for strengths in a volunteer that will complement the needs of the child. Once a match is made, the ‘Big’ and ‘Little’ spend time doing activities within the community that they both enjoy. They usually spend about 4 – 6 hours per month playing sports, gardening, playing board games, going to movies, or just talking. It is the power of that friendship that becomes a vehicle for change.

The school-based program matches classes of high school students with classes of elementary school students, or adult volunteers from local businesses and organizations with elementary students, on a one-to-one basis in the school setting. More structured than the community based program, the school-based program uses academics as the vehicle to start the relationship and interactive activities to build that friendship. At the end of the school year, successful matches have the option of moving into the community-based program and seeing each other outside of the school setting, or ending the relationship until the next school year. Results have been phenomenal!

As with the community-based program, volunteers in the school-based program must also go through screening and training prior to being matched with a child. They are matched on the same basis – common interests, strengths of the volunteer, needs of the child.

On-going support is provided through Big Brothers Big Sisters professional staff. Each match is assigned to a Program Coordinator who will remain in touch with the match throughout its lifetime. The match may continue until the child no longer needs the services, or the child turns 18 years of age.

Partnerships

COMMUNITY PARTNERING OPPORTUNITIES


Local businesses and organizations can ensure mentoring services will be available in the communities where they do business by becoming a Big Brothers Big Sisters Partner. Partners make an annual contribution at one of the 5 levels:

Champion of Potential – $5,000

  • Team Sponsorship for Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Hole Scramble
    • Four person golf team for the event and Hole sponsorship
  • Gun Raffle Sponsor
    • Logo on the back of Gun Raffle tickets
  • A Night to Indulge Sponsor
  • Hula for Moolah Sponsor
  • Sponsor one Class to Class Mentoring Program
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program
  • Sponsor one Corporate Mentoring Program
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program
  • Sponsor two Community Matches
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program
  • Logo on BBBS Newsletter
  • Website Link

Empower er of Potential  $3,000

  • Team Sponsorship for Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Hole Scramble
    • Four person golf team for the event and Hole sponsorship
  • Hula for Moolah Sponsor
    • Acknowledgement at Event
  • A Night to Indulge Sponsor
  • Sponsor one Class to Class Mentoring Program
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program
  • Logo on BBBS Newsletter
  • Website Link

Inspirer Maker Partner $1,500

  • Night to Indulge Sponsor or Hula for Moolah Sponsor
  • Sponsor one Corporate Mentoring Program
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program
  • Sponsor one Community Match
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program

Igniting  Maker Partner $1,000

  • A Night to Indulge Sponsor or Hula for Moolah Sponsor
  • Sponsor one Community Match
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program

Supporter of Potential Partner $500

  • Sponsor one Community Match
    • Choose Delta, Dickinson or Menominee Mentoring Program

Ally of Potential  (Personal Gifts) $ ____________

Each level has Media and/or Advertising opportunities, please contact the office for your Corporate Partnership Opportunities Today!

Volunteer Application

Possession of a driver’s license is required if you will be transporting a youth in any vehicle you are operating.
References:

I understand that:

  1. The references listed may be contacted by BBBS through mail, telephone, or email;
  2. The information provided may be used to conduct a background check, to include driving records check, criminal background check, and other records where required by local, state, or federal law for volunteers working with youth;
  3. The BBBS agency is not obligated to match you with a youth; and a signature in no way obligates you to perform volunteer services;
  4. As part of our enrollment process, we may ask you to provide additional personal

Contact Us

contact-us

  • Tanya Ettenhofer – 906-789-0060
    • Executive Director
  • Maureen Lark
    • Program Director
  • Ross Rahoi – Program Coordinator, Dickinson County (906-221-4673)
  • Julia Nutter – Program Coordinator, Marinette/Menominee  (906-290-6784)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area
1100 Ludington St. Suite 302
Escanaba, MI 49829

For more information about the program, call 906-789-0060.