Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area

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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

Reference Information

Please list information for at least three references below including:
1. Your spouse or domestic partner (i.e., if you live with a significant other/partner) OR a
family member, if you do not have a spouse, partner, or significant other);
2. Current or former employer or co-worker you have known for at least one year [or agency
guidelines], or someone from your school if you are a student; AND
3. A friend or neighbor you have known for at least two years.

1st Reference Name: *

1st Reference Relationship to Applicant: *

1st Reference Address: *

1st Reference Address:

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Country

1st Reference Day Phone #:

1st Reference Cell #:

1st Reference Email: *

2nd Reference Name: *

2nd Reference Relationship to Applicant: *

2nd Reference Address: *

2nd Reference Address:

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Country

2nd Reference Day Phone #:

2nd Reference Cell #:

2nd Reference Email: *

3rd Reference Name: *

3rd Reference Relationship to Applicant: *

3rd Reference Address: *

3rd Reference Address:

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Country

3rd Reference Day Phone #:

3rd Reference Cell #:

3rd Reference Email: *

Youth Service Organizations

In addition to the references above, Big Brothers Big Sisters requires references from all
youth-serving organizations at which you have worked or volunteered in the past. Please
list additional on a separate page, if needed.

Organization Name:

Direct Supervisor:

Address:

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal

Country

Day Phone #:

Cell #:

Email:

Dates of Involvement/Employment:

Reason for Leaving:

I CONSENT TO AND UNDERSTAND THAT:
1) The references and youth serving-organization I listed may be contacted by mail,
telephone, email, or in-person;
2) The information I provided may be used to conduct a background check, to include a
search of public domain records, driving records check, juvenile and adult criminal
history check (see attached authorization), military records, and other records where
required by local, state, or federal law for volunteers working with youth;
3) I am in no way obligated to perform any volunteer services;
4) The BBBS agency is not obligated to match me with a youth and may deny my
application or close my match at any time, and to protect all participants’ confidentiality,
BBBS is not required to disclose reasons for doing so;
5) Other BBBS agencies and youth organizations where I have worked or volunteered may
be contacted as references;
6) As part of the enrollment processes, I will be required to provide additional personal
information, including completion of an in-person interview;
7) I understand that the information I provide in the enrollment process will be kept
confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.
a. I understand that detailed accounts of child abuse or neglect, past or present, will
be reported to proper authorities;
b. I understand that certain relevant information about me will be discussed with the
parent/guardian of a child who is a prospective match (this might include
demographic information, information relevant to parent/child preferences, and
any information relevant to a child’s safety or well-being);

8) It is my responsibility to update the agency if any of the information I provide on this
application, in my interview, or any other information provided during the enrollment
process changes (i.e. address, phone number, auto-insurance, new criminal charges,
etc.).
9) I agree to complete questionnaires throughout my time in the program to evaluate and
improve program services;

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

© Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, 2020. Unauthorized use, distribution, transmission, and/or duplication of this material without express
and written permission from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is strictly prohibited.
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10) I agree to timely communication and follow-up with all agency staff as required by the
agency.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
BEFORE SIGNING THIS APPLICATION
I understand that this is an application for a volunteer opportunity and is not a promise or
commitment by Big Brothers Big Sisters.
I certify that all information I have provided or will provide to Big Brothers Big Sisters, including
this application, is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I have
and will answer all questions to the best of my ability and that I have not and will not withhold
any information that would affect my application for a volunteer position. I understand that
information contained in my application will be verified by Big Brothers Big Sisters. I understand
that misrepresentations or omissions may be cause for my immediate rejection as an applicant
or my termination as a volunteer.
At any time while involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, I agree to immediately
inform my Big Brothers Big Sisters contact person of any and all infractions, violations, charges,
and convictions related to any civil, domestic, or criminal matters. I understand that BBBS staff
needs to be fully informed to provide the best guidance or support possible.