To enroll now as a mentor click here

You’ll be directed to our submission form on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America website, where you should enter your zip code and fill in all the necessary fields. 

Once we’ve received your information, someone from our office will contact you. 

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OPTIONS FOR MENTORS:

Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is about sharing simple, magical moments with a child by being a friend.  Bigs help create wonderful memories for their littles and themselves by sharing experiences, expanding horizons and celebrating accomplishments. It’s as easy as going for a hike, eating pizza together or playing monopoly at lunchtime.  Our little brothers and sisters experience many positive outcomes from being matched with a Big.  We see improved self-confidence and improved relationships with family and peers.  Each match is based on common interests and personalities. 

Community Based -

“Make a new friend and have loads of fun!”

This is what most people think of when they think of us – a caring adult matched with a child who do things together in the community. Washing a car, homework, going to a ball game, a concert, or just getting together to talk, the matches get together at least 2-3 times per month for a period of 9-12 months or longer. The amount of time as well as the activities varies with a great deal of flexibility, though a one-year commitment is discussed at interview time.

Couples/ Family Match -

“How can my significant other and I change a child’s future?”

Couples or entire families are matched with one child. Each member goes through the interview and clearance process and can be involved with the child individually or as a whole group. Most couples and families are matched with Little Brothers

Bigs in School -

“Developing friendships in a local elementary or middle school.”

Adult mentors from various corporations, agencies or the community at large are matched with elementary or middle school students to spend time during the school day. Mostly during lunchtime, or another time period that works, mentors come to the school 3-4 times per month and spend time with their Little for 45-60 minutes. While activities include educational games, outdoor fun, eating lunch together, working on computers or in the library; the most important component is that the mentor sees the same Little on a consistent basis. Many of these matches last for a number of years and can be transitioned to the community. Many business partnerships are involved and encouraged.

Corporate Mentoring Partnerships –
 
“Walking into that school – it’s like being a rock star!”

Many workplaces provide an opportunity to learn about the Bigs in School program while at work. . Employees are interviewed at work, training takes place, and Bigs are then matched with children in a neighboring school for visits over lunch and recess time. Many Corporations provide in-house activities for the matches, which often includes an end-of-the-school-year party for all involved.

Breakfast Buddies -

“Get the day started right, have a GOOD MORNING!”

A school based mentoring program that matches community and corporate volunteers with students for conversation and activities before school. Mentors spend time with students 3-4 times per month for 45-60 minutes in the morning, playing educational games, working on homework and sharing breakfast. Currently this program is only at Lower Dauphin Middle School, but plans are in place to expand to other schools.

Club Buddies/ Sports Buddies -

“Coordinating service with local community centers.”

All activities occur on site at our various partners (currently - Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Lebanon YMCA, Carlisle YMCA) during the after school hours – 3:00 – 6:00 PM. Matches can take advantage of the recreational, educational and vocational activities of the club. Relationships started here can transfer to the community program. Requested length of involvement from the mentors is sometimes a shorter period of time (3-4 months minimum)

College Students -
 
“ Reaching back to help someone realize they can get to where you are.”

Site based programs with various colleges (Shippensburg, Messiah, Dickinson, Dickinson Law School) to provide school based mentors at various elementary schools, clubs and Y-programs. College Students are matched and see their Littles 3-4 times per month at the various schools or other programs over lunch, other designated times or after school.

High School Bigs -

“Students helping students and how you can make a difference.”

High School students – mostly juniors and seniors – apply through their school, go through our interview process and then are matched with Littles in an elementary or middle school in their district. The matches meet on a weekly basis and continue throughout the time they are both in school. The Guidance counselors at all the schools involved are an integral part of the team that makes this program so successful for both the High School Bigs and the Littles.

Workplace Mentoring -
 
“Mentor students while you work at your jobsite.”

This new program provides the opportunity for some students to go to a workplace after school for mentoring at that site. The students are matched with a specific employee who shares information about the job, work habits and ethics, and works with the student on school projects. The matches meet at the site 3-4 times per month after school for about 2 hours. This program is still in a pilot stage; the intent is to expand during the next school year.

M.C.O.P. -

“Befriend a child who has an incarcerated parent."

“Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCOP)” is a three-year federal grant that will facilitate this specific mentoring program. Caring adults are matched with children who have a parent either currently incarcerated or on parole from a state or federal facility. The program will include extra training for the mentors regarding issues surrounding incarceration and general affects that children could be experiencing. As may be appropriate per individual child, letters and communications with the absent parent can be a part of the program. Group activities will be an option. Each child will be dealt with in an individual basis and his/her caretaking parent or guardian will be involved in all decisions regarding level of involvement.

Inquiries/Enroll Now
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