Be a Big!
Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a unique volunteer experience that matches children who want and need a mentor with caring, adult volunteers who are willing to spend a few hours with a child. There are over 1,000 matches in the Kansas City area but there are always more children that are waiting to be matched.
There are two volunteer opportunities with Big Brothers Big Sisters and we encourage you to choose the program that best suits your volunteer needs.
Community Based Program:
The community based program is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters program that matches children ages 8-14 from one-parent or non-traditional households with caring, adult mentors.
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- Children simply want and an extra person in their life.
- Independent research shows kids that are matched with "Bigs" are more likely to succeed in life.
- Commitment is a few hours a week.
- There are kids from all over the Greater Kansas City area.
Kauffman Scholars Mentor Program:
This program matches high school students enrolled in the Kauffman Scholars program with an adult mentor. The Kauffman Scholars program is a college preparatory program that offers kids who complete a rigorous six year program, a full ride scholarship to the school of their choice.
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Scholars are motivated, intelligent and eager to learn what college and life after college has to offer.
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Most Scholars are first generation college students and need help with the process of choosing a college and career path.
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Commitment is once a month.
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All Scholars live in the Kansas City, MO or Kansas City, KS school districts.
Boys & Girls Club Program:
Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Club (Thornberry Unit) partnered up in March of 2010 in an effort to serve more children in the urban core that need a mentor. A Program Coordinator is staffed at the Thornberry Unit and is currently enrolling children in the program. Volunteer responsibilites are the same as the Community Based program. This affords volunteers the opportunity to mentor some of the kids that need someone the most and offers the Clubs facilities for the Match to use when available.
- All children want and need a mentor in their life.
- The Boys & Girls Club will serve as a save and convenient pick up spot.
- Upon availability and request the Clubs facilities (Gym, Weight Room, Pool, etc) are available to Matches.
A few facts about our program:
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We have over 250 kids waiting to be matched to a "Big."
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All the kids want to be in the program.
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Volunteer commitment is one year, however many Matches last much longer and many last a lifetime.
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Once you are a "Big" you will have the support of our agency every step of the way. Each Match is appointed a Case Manager who will help make the Match and will then support the Match.
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The decision on the child you are matched with is ultimately up to you. Upon enrollment, you will be given a few kids that our Case Managers believe would be a good fit for you. You will learn about the children and choose the child whom you think you could create the tightest bond.
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Once you are part of the BBBS family, you will be invited to many special events. Fundraisers, Match activities and parties as well as Big-only Happy Hours.
Click here to have some contact you with more information about becoming a Big.
