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As a parent or care giver, you recognize the potential of your child better than anyone. By giving them the opportunity to be part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, you’re starting them down a path to an even brighter, more promising future.

COULD YOUR LITTLE ONE USE A BIG?

It all starts with the right role models. And Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick is the place to start a relationship with one. We recruit, screen, match, and support mentoring relationships that have changed the lives of hundreds of young people in our community.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS

You know what’s best for your child. So we’ll need your help from the start, providing information about your child’s strengths and needs, and ultimately approving the Big Brother or Big Sister match. But your role doesn’t end there.

FAMILIES AS PARTNERS

When it comes to the future of our children and the well-being of our communities, we’re all in this together. So it should come as no surprise that we need the parents and guardians of Littles to be involved every step of the way, starting with the initial match.

Not only will you provide information about your child’s strengths and needs, but you’ll also approve the selection of the Big Brother or Big Sister. Once the match is made, you remain closely involved in many ways, including:

• Approving activities and outings for your child and their Big
• Asking your child questions about those outings and sharing feedback with the agency staff
• Reporting your child’s progress and milestones to the agency regularly
• Participating in training on child safety offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters staff and communicating with your child about the training they receive.

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3 Easy Ways to Enroll

ENROLL ONLINE

Call us at (207) 729-7736

EMAIL US

OUR PROGRAMS

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LUNCH BUDDIES

In our school-based Lunch Buddies program, Bigs and Littles meet at the same time and school each week for one-to-one meetings. They might share a lunch hour, play checkers, work on a project, or have a good conversation!

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AFTER SCHOOL

The once-a-week After School Bigs & Littles Program offers youth the opportunity to develop skills needed to thrive by building safe, healthy relationships with screened, trained, committed high school student volunteers facilitated by BBBS staff.

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BOWDOIN BEARS & CUBS

We partner with Bowdoin’s McKeen Center to match Bowdoin students with local children to share time and friendship. Activities on the Bowdoin campus for six Sundays per semester include games, crafts, sports, swimming, projects, and more.

ALLISON and Helen

COMMUNITY MATCHES

Community matches involve one-on-one outings and activities outside of school. Matches meet 2-4 times a month and do things they enjoy together, such as taking a walk in the park, going to a museum, listening to music, cooking, playing games, or simply just hanging out and talking.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

70%  of Little Brothers & Sisters have an improved positive sense of the future.

83%  of Little Brothers & Sisters have improved self-confidence

78%  of Little Brothers & Sisters have improved ability to express feelings.

74%  of Little Brothers & Sisters have an improved attitude toward school.

LEARN ABOUT OUTCOMES

ENSURING CHILD SAFETY

We believe that all children and youth deserve to live in a world that makes them feel cared for a protected. Helping to ensure the safety and well-being of every child in our programs is our highest priority.

Big Brothers Big Sisters conducts a thorough background check on every volunteer in our program, and every relationship is closely monitored and supported by a professionally trained program manager.

We also provide child safety tips and training to you and your child, and we welcome your questions and feedback. Throughout the match, our professional staff will supervise the match partnership in ongoing communication with you, your child, and your child’s Big. It’s the best way to build a strong relationship that will have the greatest significance on your child’s future success.

LEARN ABOUT CHILD SAFETY
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LITTLE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Be ages 6 to 16 at the time of match
  • Be resident of Brunswick, Harpswell, or Sagadahoc County
  • Be available to participate in activities with their Big regularly (school-based programs 1 time a week; community based 2-4 times a month)
  • Like the idea of having a Big Brother or Sister
  • Be able, along with their parent/guardian, to communicate regularly by telephone with BBBs staff and the child’s Big
  • Be willing to make a minimum one-year commitment once they are matched

STEPS TO ENROLL A CHILD

1. Complete the Enrollment Application. (Mentoring relationships are only successful when the child wants to be matched with a Big.)

2. Schedule an interview with BBBS staff to review the application and discuss the Little's needs and interests. For school-based programs, BBBS staff will set up a time to intervew the Little at their school. Our goal is to get to know the child well enough to make the best match.

3. When we think we have a volunteer who would be a good fit with the Little*, we will call you to share information about the potential volunteer to see if you think he/she is a good fit. If you and the Little agree that the potential volunteer sounds suitable, we will set up a match meeting to introduce everyone. At this point, the match relationship begins!

4. Once a match is made, Big Brothers Big Sisters' high-quality Standards of Practice require ongoing contact with Bigs, Littles, and parents. For community-based matches, that means a monthly connection to confirm that Big and Little are getting along well, ensure child safety, and support the relationship. School-and-site-based programs will have an initial second-week check-in with the parent/guardian and monthly check-ins with Bigs and Littles. Our agency will always work for the best interests of the child.

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*Please note: Once the application process is complete, the Little will be placed on our waiting list for a Big Brother or Sister. Please understand that the wait for a suitable match can be lengthy, as our ability to match children depends entirely on volunteers approaching our agency to get involved. Your location and preferences regarding a potential Big may influence your child’s waiting time. BBBS staff remains in contact with families during the wait and may request updated information from time to time.