Now Recruiting: High School & Middle School Bigs
Big Brothers Big Sisters is now recruiting mentors for the High School/Middle School Bigs program for the 2024-2025 school year!
HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL BIGS
In this mentoring opportunity, a high school or middle school mentor (who we call a “Big”) will meet with their mentee (who we call a “Little”) at their school for 30 minutes, once per week, for a minimum of one school year.
If you’re interested in being a mentor in the High School or Middle School Big program or if you know someone who might be, contact BBBS to learn more and sign up!:
Call: 269-382-6800
E-mail: CustomerRelations@bbbbsmi.org
WHAT HIGH SCHOOLS/MIDDLE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE?
Big Brothers Big Sisters currently partners with the following schools:
- Battle Creek Central High School
- Gull Lake High School
- Marshall High School
- Parchment High School
- Plainwell High School
- Portage Northern High School
- Schoolcraft Middle School
- Springfield Middle School
Note that this list is just the beginning; we partner with new schools all the time!
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIGS TO ENROLL?
You will attend our volunteer training at your school to set you up for success as a mentor.
You will participate in our screening process including an application, interview, and two references so that our Enrollment Team can determine whether Big Brothers Big Sisters is a good fit for you.
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE A MENTOR?
Your life experience alone is enough knowledge to help you be a great mentor! On top of that, BBBS provides you with training before you meet your Little. Additionally, your match is assigned a Mentoring Relationship Specialist (MRS) who will oversee your match. The MRS provides support and coaching throughout the length of your match. This means that if you have questions, we have answers!
WHAT ABOUT DURING WINTER/SUMMER VACATIONS?
You will meet exclusively during the school year, at your Little’s school, when school is in session. You will not meet with your Little during summer vacation, school breaks, snow days, etc.
HOW DOES BBBS DECIDE WHO I WILL BE MATCHED WITH?
BBBS practices what we call “intentional matching.” The team makes sure that you and your Little are paired because you have something in common. This commonality will be a foundation upon which to build your friendship, whether that’s a love of sports, animals, nature, theater, computer games, cooking, you name it. This focus and care help to ensure the quality and longevity of your match.
WHAT SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?
Your match will be overseen by your Mentoring Relationship Specialist (MRS). After two weeks of being matched, the MRS will reach out to you and your Little to see how things are going. After that, the MRS will check in with each of you monthly to complete what we call Match Support. There is also an open invitation for you to reach out to your MRS at any time.
BBBS staff are truly there to help you and your Little build a friendship that helps your Little realize their potential!
WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY LITTLE?
BBBS provides an activity kit that includes various board games, card games, and arts & crafts that you and your Little can do together while you are building your friendship.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR YOUTH HAVING A MENTOR?
Improved social-emotional learning (SEL), tailored goals based on each Little’s needs and desires, having an additional person to empower their potential… the list goes on and on. Plus, it’s super fun!
IS CONSISTENCY IMPORTANT?
Consistency is critical. Inconsistency can actually be more detrimental to a child than never being matched in the first place.
HOW WILL I GET TO THEIR SCHOOL?
We do our best to match our High School Bigs with Littles at a nearby school. Most of the time, these schools are within walking distance. In instances where the school is further than walking distance, you will need to coordinate a ride.
READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE?
Contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan to sign up as a High School/Middle School Big today!
Call: 269-382-6800
E-mail: CustomerRelations@bbbbsmi.org
