Welcome to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area
“Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. 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!”
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:
Pillars of Potential Partner – $7,00
Major Sponsorship for Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Scramble (Four Person Team Included)
Gun Raffle Sponsor – Logo on the back of Gun Raffle Tickets
A Night to Indulge Table Sponsor – 10 Tickets
Golf Ball Drop Sponsor
Any New Fundraising Sponsorship option
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
Champion of Potential Partner – $5,000
Team Sponsorship for Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf 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
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
Empowering Potential $3,000
Team Sponsorship for Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf 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
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
Golf Ball Drop 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
Contact Us
Tiffany Hewitt – 906-241-2396
Executive Director
Patrick Bradway
Program Director 906-241-2121
Terri Branstrom
School Programs Coordinator 906-399-1519
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area PO Box 398 Escanaba, MI 49829
For more information about the program, call 906-241-2396.
Our Board of Directors
Nickie Lauerman – President, Self Employed
Allison Dagenais-Watkins, Dagenais Foundation, First Bank
Jacquelyn Trask-Rahn – Vice President, Edward Jones
Tracy Lektzian – UPCAP
Melissa Bonifas-Ness, Secretary
Kyle Closs – First Bank
Mike Dutkavich – Siemens
Menominee/Marinette Advisory Board Becky Noble Steve Martin Dean Furton Jeanne Albert Ray Krueger Andrew Laurin Karianne Lesperance
Dickinson Advisory Board Trisha Peterson Michelle Rexses Dawn Smith Mark Young Susan Noble Cindy Weber Jim Helgren
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