What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit agency that matches children with adults who help by simply being a special friend.
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What is a "Big?"

A Big is a mature adult, age 17 years and up, who is interested in being a part of a child's life at least three times a month for a minimum of one year.  A Big may also be a junior or senior in selected high schools who want to be a friend to a child in elementary school.
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What is a "Little?"

A Little Brother or Little Sister is a child in our program between ages 6-16.  Our Littles come from all different backgrounds and socio-economic groups.
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How do the children and parents get into the BBBS program?

All of the children and their families join Big Brothers Big Sisters because they are wanting to get involved with a positive program that works.  They usually hear about us through word of mouth, from their friends, relatives, schools, and other Bigs and Littles.
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What is a "Match?"

A match is the pairing of a Big Brother to a Little Brother, a Big Sister to a Little Brother/ Little Sister, or a Big Couple/Big Family to a Little Brother/Little Sister.  Big Brothers Big Sisters matches volunteers with children who have similar interests in order to make the best possible match.
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What is the benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters?

The individualized attention and companionship our children receive as a result of being matched has proven to help keep them away from drugs and alcohol, keep them in school and greatly reduce the likelihood they will have delinquent or aggressive behaviors.
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Does being a Big Brother or Big Sister require experience?

You do not need any special skills or experience to be a Big.  Just spending time and caring about your Little makes a difference in the life of a child.  We were all kids once, it does not take special skills to be a friend.
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Why should I become a Big Brother or Big Sister?

At this time Big Brothers Big Sisters of Richland County has 133 School-based matches and 17 Traditional matches.  Imagine the joy that lights up a child's face when he/she experiences something new for the first time.  You can be a part of a child's excitement by showing them new adventures.
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Does being a Big Brother or Big Sister take a lot of time?

Bigs in the School-based mentoring program spend an hour a week playing games, eating lunch in the lunchroom, helping with assignments or just reading a good book while the child is at school.  Bigs in Traditional matches spend 3-4 hours a week doing errands, cooking, going to sporting events, watching a movie, talking and laughing or just watching a sunset.
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What do Bigs and Littles do together?

Bigs and Littles enjoy playing sports, seeing movies, cooking, going over school work, visiting museums, washing the car, taking walks, volunteering in their communities or just hanging out.  Most everything that Bigs and Littles do together is fun and beneficial to both the adult and child.
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Does it cost a lot of money to be a volunteer?

The idea is not to spend a lot of money, but instead to spend fun, quality time with a child.  You can take a hike, go jogging in the park or just talk.  It does not have to cost anything.  BBBS of Richland County encourages the building of a friendship rather than spending money on special events.  Friendship is spelled "Time".  Through the agency we do offer a Christmas Skating Party in November and a Swimming Party at the end of the summer. 
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As a Big, what kind of support will I get from Big Brothers Big Sisters?

Each match has a professional Case Manager who is there to support the child, parent and volunteer.  The Case Manager helps with any problem solving, feedback and information to help the match along.
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What is the application process like to be a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer?