Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has remained the expert in youth mentoring since it's founding in 1904. Big Brothers Big Sisters builds one-to-one mentoring relationships between caring volunteers and children in such a way as to bring a little magic to a child's life and provide an enriching experience to the volunteer.
And it works! Just think about it: Young adolescents saying no to drugs and alcohol, improving their school attendance, getting along better with family and peers - all because they have a Big Brother or Big Sister.
That's not just a dream - it's a reality, and we have a study by a nationally acclaimed, veteran research group to prove it. A 1995 report from Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) indicates that young adolescents paired with a Big Brother or Big Sister were:
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class
- more confident of their performance in schoolwork
- one-third less likely to hit someone, and
- getting along better with their families.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Kane and Kendall Counties has been a program of Family Counseling Service since 1980. In that time over 1000 friendships have been built, 1000 volunteers have shared a piece of their lives with a child and 1000 children have forever been changed.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
In our own lives, each of us was touched by someone-other than our parents-who introduced us to new worlds and brought a little magic into our lives. By becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, you can do the same for a child. And you will both be forever changed by the experience.
Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers are people from the community - adults who are business owners and employees, homemakers and retirees, high school and college students, who want to be a good role model for young children.
Ask yourself: "Am I ready to have a fun, enriching experience that will have a lasting, positive effect on a young person and me?" If you answer yes, then call to get involved today!
We offer different types of mentoring depending your time and interests.
- Community-based mentoring
Fulfilling relationships are built between children and caring men, women and couples, (19+) who want to share moments and experiences with children. Visits are arranged between the volunteer and the child's parent. A one-year commitment is expected. - School-based mentoring
Adults meet with children weekly to build a one-to-one fulfilling friendship. Visits take place during the school year on the school grounds. A school-year commitment is expected. - Site-based mentoring
Employees from their workplace or older students meet with children to build relationships. Work place mentors meet at a nearby school or at their company. High School students meet in an after-school setting with staff supervision. Visits of about one hour take place weekly during the school year at a specific site. A school-year commitment is expected.
There's a child who would benefit from the time you have to share. If you want to learn more about volunteering, contact us or call us at (630) 844-9090.
Little Brothers Little Sisters
Any child growing up today could benefit from spending time with a person who could bring a little magic into the child's life…sharing little moments and experiences that open up the world to him, and that he'll remember forever.
The children, ages 6 through 12 upon entering the program, come from primarily single parent families and live in southern Kane and Kendall Counties. Little Brothers and Little Sisters are children who need, want, and can benefit from a caring adult relationship.
If you are a parent who wants to enroll your child in Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-based Mentorships, call (630) 844-9090 or go to "How to Enroll a Child".
Students needing extra guidance and support in school get help from in-school mentors. Teachers refer students to the Big Brothers Big Sisters school-based mentoring program in school districts with which a collaborative partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters is developed. At times, a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program takes place in a group at a community location.
Call us at (630) 844-9090 to see if your school is a partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters.