Big Brothers & Bir Sisters

[thetreble 19]

So I've been wanting to volunteer as a Big Sister for someone. Has any one ever been a part of this organization and can tell me a little about how it works?

[Carlawarla 1]

So I've been wanting to volunteer as a Big Sister for someone. Has any one ever been a part of this organization and can tell me a little about how it works?

Oh Amanda! I think you'd make a wonderful Big Sister! I wasn't one myself...actually I only know of one other woman from Canada that was. I worked closely with someone who was on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers though, so got to know a lot about the organization from him. It's a friendship/mentoring program...matching up girls to women in the community.

You apply, I think you need a few references...they closely check those out. A criminal record check of course, and one or two interviews. They try and match you up with someone in your area...and try to get an idea of things you like, are interested in etc. The one lady I know that did this, waited a LONG time for a match however, because there wasn't many girls that needed a Big Sister. Far more boys needing a Big Brother. Now, things might have changed in this regard...and it would be interesting if you inquired to see if this was the case in the U.S. The girls that were usually needing a Big Sister, were girls who had lost their mothers. With a lot of single Mom's however who work, and some more than one job...maybe they'd like to have their daughter to have a Big Sister since they don't get to spend as much time as they'd like with their daughters. I don't know.

You participate in activities together...games, outtings, movies...whatever you two decide. They are of course looking for a very long committment, probably at least two years. It's always hoped it will be a lifelong friendship. My friend got together with her Little Sister once a week, but sometimes it was only every couple of weeks. They'd spend a whole day, or a part day together. Again, I think they match you up with someone who fits in with the time you have available, and are willing to give.

Let us know if you decide to do this! If they don't have a lot of Little Sisters looking for Big Sisters now, you should also look into other girl to women mentoring programs in your area!

Also, if you're interested in this program, but just don't know if it's right for you, call them up or drop in to talk to someone!

[thetreble 19]

Thanks for the advice, Carla. I have been thinking about doing it for awhile and would like to help out my community.

Would doing a criminal background check on me be hard? Would they have to contact Canada?

[lgg 2]

Oh do it...

I had big sisters when i was growing up and I will be honest and say, that they had a huge impact on my life. In the kind of family (lack thereof) I had, I think that they helped

give me hope and self-esteem.

Making a difference in a kid's life is probably the most wonderful thing anyone can do.

Good luck -- I think that's a really gorgeous thing to do...

[ScooterMac 2]

Thanks for the advice, Carla. I have been thinking about doing it for awhile and would like to help out my community.

Would doing a criminal background check on me be hard? Would they have to contact Canada?

I run a youth center in PA, and we only run state criminal background checks and the Childline (Child abuse) clearances. Not sure what the BB/BS guidelines are, but I don't think it would be all that much different. If they don't have any young girls needing Big Sisters right now, you might look into local drop-in centers. Many of them have girl-specific "clubs" or discussion sessions...and from experience, ALL of them would welcome more volunteers!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

One of my friends had a couple big sisters growing up and she really thought of the one in a special way (the other made her do housework ) I would say it has the potential to be a lifetime relationship if you connect with the child...which is a wonderful thing.

[thetreble 19]

Well I figure, I've got the time to do it...Jared works long hours and I would really like to be influential in someone's life. I think it would also help me understand children a bit more. I want to have kids one day but I never had little kids in my family so I'm not really sure how to interact with them, per say.

[Emancipation 2]

Thanks for the advice, Carla. I have been thinking about doing it for awhile and would like to help out my community.

Would doing a criminal background check on me be hard? Would they have to contact Canada?

We do criminal checks from our office here.. I just did one in the US with my CT driver's licence. easy piesie..

I think it is a SUPER idea!!!

[Krikit 1,164]

I don't know anyone in the US who does it, but I did write a letter of reference for my friend who did it in Canada for big brothers. He had some issues with the Mom but it worked well for him and his little brother for a while.

My former BIL did it. It didn't work out too well for my sister..... her former husband is now married to his little brother's Mom. Even though they are not supposed to get close to the parent. Sometimes life takes interesting turns.

[JillA 2]

I don't know anyone in the US who does it, but I did write a letter of reference for my friend who did it in Canada for big brothers. He had some issues with the Mom but it worked well for him and his little brother for a while.

My former BIL did it. It didn't work out too well for my sister..... her former husband is now married to his little brother's Mom. Even though they are not supposed to get close to the parent. Sometimes life takes interesting turns.

Good grief!!!!!

I think it's a wonderful thing to do, Amanda

[antda 13]

Hi Thetreble,

I think it's a great idea that you want to volunteer for big sisters! Go fo it!...

The world needs more volunteers, and children need older people they can look up to and make a difference in their lives in a positive way as well.

Actually, growing up, in Canada, I had a big sister (lol..yeah, I came from a dysfunctional family and was referred to such a program as a 'little sister'), and needless to say, they were a good influence in my life. We remained friends for many years, from my early teen years, to adulthood (oh, for about 10+ years or so, we kept seeing each other and communicating with each other for), but sort of mutually lost touch with each other when she moved out of the country to travel and work and I moved on with my life as an adult. Oh well....

Hmm...speaking of which..I wonder what happened to her...maybe I should e-mail her one of these days.....Last time I heard from her was a couple of years ago, when I first got married and in the USA, and co-incidently found out she was in the USA too...(in haiwaii, I think)...lol....Hmm...maybe a reunion in the USA some day?

We did all sorts of things together, over the years, such as: playing games, doing activites together, going to places, going to events, talking together, etc. For example, we went to some of the events that the organization itself hosted (christmas party, skating party, summer picnic, etc.). But the events we liked the best were the ones that we planned on our own during our visits with each other, which was a few hours or so per week (as scheduled), or whenever we felt like it. Some of my best memories with her included: Going on the CN Tower Stair Climb together, Going bike riding at Centre Island, Going to Niagara Falls, Making christmas candles, Carving halloween pumpkins, Helping me out with problems, etc. And heck, she even convinced me and my family to get a pet cat.....

How we were matched was basically I was referred by my school to be in this program. The intake worker then came to our house and interviewed me any my family, as well as interviewed the big sister's herself. I think there were some questionnaires, and stuff like that to fill out for both the big sister and little sister. Not sure how it works on the big sister's end, but I think they were the ones that got to choose the little sister that they were matched with, based on the descriptions that they intake worker wrote up. I remember when I asked my big sister, "So why did you choose me?", to which she said, "I kind of saw that you were like me in ways, based on what they wrote up about you"..awww....

I admit, my family was not too open with her and didn't like her at first. But after they saw how good they were with me, they realized how good it was for me to be around them, and heck, they wanted to hang out with her too...lol...

So as a former little sister, my thoughts to you being a big sister is to: 1) Find a little sister that you can relate to and can see yourself spending time with 2) Think of activities that you can do together that you both enjoy. Doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming, or anything like that. Just as long as you have fun, that's all. 3) Be there for your little sister, no matter what. 4) Get to know your little sister's family, and what their customs/traditions/culture is about. 5) Know that you are making a difference in their life now, and for the rest of their life too.

And who knows, maybe this will be a livelong bond that you will have with your 'little sibling'...lol...

Hope this helps. Good luck with the rest of your big sister journey too.

And to everyone else: Yes, you can make a difference! Go out there and volunteer in your community!

Ant

So I've been wanting to volunteer as a Big Sister for someone. Has any one ever been a part of this organization and can tell me a little about how it works?

Edited November 5, 2009 by Ant+D+A