Enrich your life -
become a BIG volunteer!

Growing up is about discovering the world. As a Big Brother or Sister mentor, you can be a part of a child's journey. Reconnect with the joy of discovery. Our volunteers say that they are having the time of their lives. They give, but they get back so much more.

"Volunteering to be a Big Brother was the best decision I've made in a long time. We both started out a little shy. But we're good buddies now. I look forward to seeing him - he makes me remember things I thought I had forgotten. The question is, "Who get the most out of this, the Big or Little Brother?" Tom, Big Brother Mentor.

People from all walks of life are enjoying being Big Brothers and Sisters. It's about sharing life's little moments. Activities or knowledge that may seem routine to you are often special and magical to a child.

Children of Promise

Program Overview

Children are matched one-to-one with caring, adult volunteers from the faith-based community and communitypartners, who provide nurturing friendships that encourage children to reach their full potential. Mentors and children spend time together once a week for about an hour.

Become a Mentor

A Children of Promise mentor is...

• Concerned with the safety and well-being of a precious child.
• Able to commit to at least one hour a week for one year

Enroll a Child

• Children ages 6 to 18 are eligible
• Child must have a parent currently incarcerated in State or Federal prison
• Enrollment begins with completion of a Big Brothers Big Sisters Child Application

Adult Volunteers

What's better than a great golf score, sharing jokes in the clubhouse or a satisfying swing? Being a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child who genuinely needs you. Think back in your life. Remember that person who helped you when you were young - without asking for anything in return? Now you can give back to a child in need. Most volunteers call it magical - the satisfying feeling they get from seeing their kids change their outlook, goals, or just their habits.

It's all about just having fun, talking and listening, and sharing a gift of a lifetime of experience and wisdom with a youngster. Spending as little as one hour a week as a Big can give a youngster a much-needed helping hand.

How can I spend time with a child?
Many folks choose to do more than one program. With any program you choose, there are young people in our community who are waiting to meet you and become friends.

	Within the Community Based Program, you would pick your assigned Little Brother or Sister up at home, and then spend time together doing something you both enjoy - go to a playground or the library, or see what's happening at the beach. Spend some quality time together. Your volunteer schedule would flex around what you plan to do together, and when you both are free. Questionnaire. Prior to your in-person interview, we would like you to answer a few questions. Please click to access a questionnaire.
	Within the School-Based Program, you and your Little Brother or Sister would meet at a supervised mentoring site - usually the child's school during the academic year. You would help with his or her reading & socialization skills, and just talk. Questionnaire. Prior to your in-person interview, we would like you to answer a few questions. Please click to access a questionnaire.

We are looking for Reading Mentors at fourteen elementary schools in St Lucie County.

Help a child explore the world of books. Experience the joy that simple moments of friendship can bring. Share ‘little moments’ that bring ‘big moments’ to the life of a young person.

Participating Elementary Schools:

	Bayshore		F.K. Sweet
	Floresta		Garden City
	Lakewood Park		Lawnwood
	Manatee		Mariposa
	Morningside		Port St. Lucie
	Rivers Edge		St. Lucie
	Westgate		Windmill Point

We are looking for volunteers for six Indian River Elementary Schools

	Citrus		Dodgertown
	Glendale		Highlands
	Sebastian		Treasure Coast

We are looking for volunteers for two Okeechobee Elementary Schools

North

Seminole

Within the AmeriCorps Program, you can get paid for mentoring.

Join AmeriCorps and tutor kindergarten, first, and second grader children in reading as part of the AmeriCorps St Lucie READS! Program.  Each AmeriCorps member will serve a school between the hours of 8:30 am and 2:30 pm, approximately 25 hours a week tutoring ten children one-on-one a minimum of three half-hour sessions per week for the entire school year.  All members receive extensive training.

What will you get out of it?

	Receive a living allowance of $5399.00
	Earn an education award of $2362.50
	Serve America’s future – its children!


What does it take to become a member?

	Make a one-year commitment
	Be at least 17 years old
	Be a US citizen or permanent resident
	Have a high school diploma or GED
	Pass a background investigation
	Be selected through screening & interviewing


There are thousands of opportunities in AmeriCorps.  Visit www.AmeriCorps.org to find the right opportunity to suit your own personal skills.

We help you get started
From experience; we know what works, and what does not.

Join us at informal seminars to learn more. Check our Events page for the next one, or meet with a case manager for a one-to-one chat. Either way, we will be there to explain how to get involved and answer any questions you may have.

Kids with Big Brother and Sister mentors post impressive improvements in self-confidence, behavior, and academics.

Make a difference and have fun doing it too.  Just click and fill out our Volunteer Pre-Enrollment Form now, or call 772-466-8535, fax 772-466-5951, or email us. We can't wait to hear from you.

Not sure if being a mentor is for you?
Apprehensive about how to interact with a youngster?
Call our Recruiter at 772-446-8635 with any questions that you may have.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization