Preparing Volunteers for School-Based Matches

Our history About friendship Where Matches meet Who are our Littles? About Us: Big Brothers Big Sisters

School-Based Mentoring: A Lesson in Friendship! Kids enjoy School-Based Mentoring Parents know what a difference it makes Some of the biggest supporters of School-Based Mentoring are actually teachers. They see students come back from their one hour a week mentoring sessions with confident smiles, ready to learn and ready to succeed. About School-Based Mentoring

What is a “Big” –What makes a successful Big What a “Big” is NOT Your Role

Expectations Be a good friend Be consistent Make contact regularly Realize problems might come up What Will You Do?

Enrollment Information gathered –Interview –References –Criminal background check –Other BBBS agency or youth serving organizations How to Get Involved

Children’s safety is our #1 priority. We focus on the child’s safety and well-being throughout the match. We do this by providing: –Professional screening –Child abuse prevention programs for children –Guidelines for boundaries –Ongoing required Match Support contact A Top Priority: Child Safety

Along the way to forming a safe and lasting friendship your Match Support Team will be in touch with all of you to help you and your Little. BBBS Support: How BBBS Works with You & Your Little

It’s pretty simple. By building a trusting friendship with a child you can make a powerful impact in his/her life. That’s what it’s all about. You Can Make a Difference in the Life of a Child…

Agency insert ground rules Review Ground Rules

Common stages – Honeymoon Stage – Growth Stage – Maturity Stage – Transition and “Closure” Valuable Relationships

5-7 year olds 8-10 year olds year olds year olds Children: Ages & Stages

What do I do? Agency insert sample school based scenarios Strategies for Common Problems

Guidelines Transitioning the Match through Formal Closure