Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Illinois Capital Region

Description

Big Brothers Big Sisters matches caring adults with children for one hour each week in school. They read together, play board games or just talk. Children benefit; adults feel like a kid again.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides opportunities for volunteers of all ages to be friends to children who need extra time and attention to succeed in school and with family and peers. Volunteers 18 and older are needed to be school-based mentors to children whose teachers have referred them for individualized one-on-one concentrated time. Bigs and Littles spend one hour each week eating lunch, playing board games, or just talking about what is on the child's mind. The time a volunteer spends with a child has a positive impact on the child's attitude about school and academic achievement, while putting a little fun and extra meaning into the volunteer's day and week. Volunteers enroll through Big Brothers Big Sisters and following an interview, references and a background check, are oriented to their local school and introduced to a little brother or little sister by BBBS staff. Regular support is available to assure that the relationship builds over time, and any logistical problems are resolved. Teachers report that children with Bigs have an improved attitude about school, better relationships with peer and adults, and improved academic performance.