Big Brothers Big Sisters

Description

We ask our volunteers (must be eighteen) to make a commitment to a child for one year, spending 6 to 10 hours a month with their "Little". The Bigs pick their Littles up at their home and do things in the community. All our volunteers and anyone over the age of eighteen living in their household, must undergo a criminal background check and we ask for three personal or professional references. After the application process is completed, a case manager meets with the volunteer to conduct an interview and answer any questions they may have. To enroll a child in our program the parent/guardian must be the one requesting services. It is imperative that the parent/guardian understands the commitment we ask the volunteers to make. It is stressed to the parent that the volunteer is not there to play the role of a babysitter, Santa Claus, taxi driver or substitute parent. BBBS does not have any income guidelines for families. Our case managers conduct in-home interviews with the parent and child to evaluate if our program can serve them. The program is not about spending money but providing friendship, guidance and having fun. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides activities throughout the year for all "Bigs" and "Littles" at no cost to them, these events are a Holiday Party, Summer Picnic, Big Brothers Big Sisters night at Syracuse Chiefs game, a night at a Syracuse Crunch game, an SU basketball game, a play at Syracuse Stage and other Cultural and Community events. We also receive donated tickets to other events and movie premier passes which we pass along to our "Bigs".