Needs From: United Way of Central Minnesota Volunteer Connection

A Big Family involves an entire family meeting with a Little. This is an opportunity for a family to volunteer together. The Family would be matched with a Little in our Community-Based program. The family would provide friendship, support and hope to the young person with whom they are matched. The family will meet with their Little two to three times a month for 12 months. Popular activities with some of our Big Families include going to the YMCA to play basketball together, baking or making dinner together, movie nights, or just hanging out and playing games. Big Families can also take part in agency sponsored activities such as craft nights, educational activities at SCTCC or a bus to the Twins game. 

Two adults can team up to mentor a youth. “Duos” may be a spouse, significant other or close friend. As a Big Duo, the two mentors will be enrolled in the Community Based Program to provide friendship, support and hope to one young person with whom they are matched. The volunteers will meet with their Little two to three times a month for at least 12 months doing things that everyone enjoys. Our matches enjoy everything from baking to crafts, dog walking to AirMaxx, walks around Lake George to apple orchards in the fall. Matches can also take part in agency sponsored activities such as craft nights, educational activities at SCTCC or a bus to the Twins game, and they also have the opportunity to do whatever activities both the Big and Little enjoy! 

Mentors in the Community Based Program provide friendship, support and hope to young people with whom they are matched. This is a one-on-one volunteer opportunity to provide friendship and guidance to a child in Central Minnesota. The volunteer Bigs meet with their Little two to three times a month for at least 12 months. Matches can go to the movies, go fishing, do arts and crafts, read together - whatever they enjoy doing! BBBS staff also plans two to three activities per month that matches are able to attend on top of their outings in the community.

Make a BIG difference by mentoring a child in the child's school! It's simple. All you need to do is spend one hour per week with a local youth at their school. You can play games, hang out in the gym, go to the library, or the computer lab. Every week you will meet in the child's school at a time that works for both you and the child. By meeting at the child's school, you are not expected to be a tutor but simply be a listening, supportive friend to a child who needs someone in his or her life. This type of match relationship is designed as a one year commitment with nine months of that commitment being in-person. Throughout the summer months, contact with your Little Brother or Sister can be done over the phone, through email, or by writing letters. This relationship can later be extended into the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters community based relationship if you wish.