Big Brother Big Sister FAQs |
What does it take to be a Big Brother/Big Sister?
We ask you to be over 21 years old, committed to spending 2-3 hours every other week with a child, and able to make a minimum of a one year commitment.
Who are the children in the program?
The children range in age from 7-16 years old. Many of them are from single parent households.
How do you make your matches?
We look at several criteria; your personal interests, personality and any personal requests. We also try to minimize travel time.
How long does it take to be matched?
There is a screening process which may take a few weeks or months. It depends on your availability and when the right match is available.
What kind of support is there?
There are social workers on staff dedicated to making this relationship beneficial to you and to the child. There is an orientation after your match meeting with the child, and ongoing support.
What kinds of activities do volunteer Bigs do with their Littles?
It depends on their age and interests of the child. It could be playing in the park, going to a museum exhibit, a book store, or a coffee shop. We provide you with no-cost or low cost ideas for outings. JBFCS provides bi-monthly group activities that our volunteers are encouraged to attend.
How would I get involved?
Please contact Dana Mindlin, Community Outreach Coordinator at DMindlin@jbfcs.org or at 212-632-4535. She will answer any additional questions and will send you a volunteer application.
