 Enroll
a Little
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For parents, school affiliates, department of social services,
and anyone interested in being a Little:
Here are some facts about Big Brothers and Big Sisters to
help you decide if this is the right program for your child.
- We serve children between the ages of 6 and 14.
- We do not have a fee for our service and there is no
income requirement.
- Our volunteers are all over the age of 18, & over
14 for supervised in-school mentoring.
- Each of our volunteers are properly screened, interviewed,
and trained.
- Each volunteer has had a local and national background
check prior to being accepted into our program.
How the process works…
- Contact our office at 508.696.5497 or use our online
contact form. We will make an appointment to come to your
home for an in-home interview.
- After being accepted into our program, we will try to
find the best possible match for your child. The match information
provided during the interview will be used when assessing
the correct "Big" for your child.
- When waiting for a "Big" to come into your
child's life you have the ability to participate in all
of our monthly activities as well as take advantage of our
summer camp opportunities.
- When a "Big" is found for your child the program
director will contact you to present he/she to you. They
will give you some information about the potential "Big"
and you can decide weather this person is the right person
for your child.
- Once the "Big" has been accepted the program
director will bring he/she over to your house. We will have
a brief meeting as well as sign a contract. The "Big"
and your now "Little" will go out for 45 minutes
to an hour to get to know one another.
- The "Big" will come inside to make plans for
when they can see one another next.
- It is your responsibility to contact our office on a regular
basis to update how your match is going.
- The director will monitor the match throughout the life
of the match.
- Have fun!
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Volunteer as a Big
-------------------------
 Share
what you know, become a Big Brother or Big Sister. When you
were growing up, was there someone in your life a coach, teacher,
relative or neighbor who encouraged you and showed you the ropes?
That person was a mentor to you. You can "pass it on"
to the next generation by volunteering for Big Brothers and
Big Sisters here on Martha's Vineyard. It doesn't take special
skills just a willingness to listen, offer encouragement, and
share what you've learned about life.
Steps to becoming a Big…
- Contact our agency
on this web site or via phone at 508.696.5497. We will be
in touch within a day to set up a time for an in person
interview with one of our coordinators. This is where you
application process starts.
- Interview -
your interview will be held at our office with the Program
director. The interview can last anywhere from one to two
hours long. At this time you will fill out an application
including four personal references. A local and national
background check will be filled out. This is also the time
for you to ask questions and to learn more about our local
program.
- Comprehensive
Check - it will take us a day to obtain information
about your background check. We will also contact all of
your references via telephone. Please let your references
know we will be calling.
- Acceptance
- we will notify you via telephone if you have been accepted
into our program.
- Making the Match
- After carefully reviewing your interests and personality
we will match you with Little who we (Program Director and
you) believe will work best for you. The Program Director
will then contact your new Littles guardian to arrange a
time for the two of you to meet.
- Match -
you get to meet your Little! The Program Director will be
present at the time of your first outing. They will introduce
you to the parent(s) and child. The match contracts will
be filled out and read aloud. All parties will then exchange
contact information.
- Support
- After your match the Program director will be in contact
with you on a regular basis. You are asked to be in contact
with the office at least once a month for the first year
and every three months after. We are always available to
support you and your Little.
- Get ready for
the time of your life.
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Programs
-------------
Our organization has three distinct programs
to choose from:
| "Those
who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep
it from themselves" - James Barrie |
Core Program:
The most popular match relationship. Big Brothers Big Sisters
was founded on this classic friendship. Details are described
in "Enroll a Little"
PALS Program: School-based
Operating since 2001 on Martha's Vineyard, Partnerships to
Achieve Lifelong Success is an in-school program. Before,
during, or after school matches can meet within the school
grounds to do homework, play games, or just hang out. We match
high school students with elementary children for a unique
relationship. Community members are also welcome to apply
to meet with their Little in-school.
Applicants are screened & interviewed, and matched according
to town. This match requires creativity & independence,
similar to the core program. However, PALS allows for students
to receive credit for community service time. These matches
usually keep in contact even after the high school student
has graduated.
Activities Program
Events & activities are open to
all children, regarless of their need. We register children
in this program who may not need the constant support of a
Big, but want to join in the fun of our many activities.
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Expectations
-----------------
Many times, when people are interested in becoming a Big,
or volunteering for a fundraiser, the questions of time commitment
& responsibility arise. Here are some of our expectations
for the different programs:
Core Program BBBS
of MV asks that you:
- commit to meet with your Little for at
least one year. Certain cases of extended travel are
allowed. Imagine being a Little in fourth grade & getting
postcards from Melbourne, Australia!
- commit to spend from 4-6 hours per month
with your Little. More is always acceptable, but we
recommend that matches start by meeting every other week
& build up to weekly, or more, when you develop your
routines.
- No special training is required, but
monthly support meetings are offered for any assistance
you may need.
PALS Program: School-based
- choose a school & a time (before,
during, or after school)
- 5 month commitment.
- Community Members may apply for this program
as well. In fact, your employer can take a tax credit
for taking time to let you leave work for your mentorship!
- high school students who play spring or
fall sports begin their mentorship in October & finish
around mid-March. (Sailors, Football, Soccer, Baseball,
Lacrosse & Field Hockey Players: We need gentlemen as
Big Brothers!!!)
- underclassmen may be matched with the same
Little the following term, if they wish.
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