Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult volunteers with children primarily from single-parent homes. The Big Brother and Big Sisters serve as mentors and role models to school-aged Little Brothers and Little Sisters. The local Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the premier mentoring organization in the country.
Why Volunteer?
A Big Brother or Big Sister can act as a mentor and a role model. A "Big" can show a child that, no matter how difficult things get, there is a caring adult friend there for them – someone who will listen with an uncritical ear, who will give advice if asked, encouragement when needed and who will help put things in perspective. Ultimately, the guidance of a Big Brother or Big Sister can help a child grow into a confident, competent and caring individual.
What is the benefit?
A child’s self-esteem increases when an adult friend genuinely cares. His or her future is broadened by a role mode that can be a guide to life’s opportunities and around life’s obstacles. And for these children, the obstacles are very real. Volunteers can connect with a youth who needs them, have the opportunity to make a good life even better, and feel a sense of "giving back." As one volunteer put it, "I joined to make a difference in a child’s life, but sometimes I think I get more out of it than he does."
What do volunteers do?
A Big Brother or Big Sister can have a major impact on a child’s life and yet it’s a truly simple process. It just takes some time, a love of life and a concern for children.
A Big Brother or Big Sister is not a substitute parent or a babysitter. Activities are those any friends would share: watching movies, bicycling in the park, sitting and talking or even just running errands. One volunteer said: "Some of our best times are just talking when we’re in the car." The focus is not on spending money, but on just spending time with a child. Your time can make a positive difference in a child’s life.
How does it work?
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children from primarily single-parent homes with adult volunteers. The volunteers and the children come from all walks of life and from all types of communities.
Prospective volunteers, who commit to a few hours a week for at least a year, are carefully evaluated by agency staffers. Each match is based on the needs of the child and the interests of both the child and the volunteer. Once a match is made, professional caseworkers are there to provide advice and support to help the match grow.
Anyone interested can call (315) 738-0794
Email: bigbrothersisters@upstatecp.org
The local Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), a national, not-for-profit organization. For over ninety years, it has based its service on the premise that a one-to-one friendship with an adult can provide the support a child needs to grow and mature in positive way. The program, which has sites in both Utica and Herkimer is sponsored locally by Upstate Cerebral Palsy.