Become a Big

Become a Big

Be a Big — give a Little something back.

We’re always looking for people eager to positively impact a child and improve their community at the same time. And right now is no different. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are in high demand. So, Start Something.

For a few hours, a couple of times a month, you can give a Little the invaluable gift of your friendship. By simply spending time with a child, you can literally change his or her perspective of what the world can offer, and you can start changing his or her life. It’s as simple as going for walks, going to a museum or just hanging out together, doing things you both enjoy. Visits with your Little are typically three to four hours, either weekly or biweekly. With the emphasis on building a relationship, the agency encourages no- or low-cost activities.

Why do we need Bigs?

More than ¹/₃ of Maine’s children are growing up in single-parent, economically disadvantaged households. Research shows that having the positive influence of a Big makes a real difference in a child’s life. So join the hundreds of volunteers who give a young person someone to look up to. And learn why so many are now saying, “I get back so much more than I give.”

But don’t just take it from us. Go to our real-life stories of Bigs and Littles for some amazing examples of what it means to be a role model. If you still have questions, check out our Big FAQs for more answers.

Program Options and Application Process

Being a Big Brother or Big Sister does not require any special skills. A volunteer is expected to become a friend to a child and have fun – you are not expected to be a skilled counselor or social worker. Children are between the ages of 7 through 14 when they come into our program. We ask our volunteers to make a minimum commitment of one year. The qualities we are looking for in our volunteers are maturity, stability, patience, consistency, and reliability.

Program Options:

We have two different types of 1-on-1 mentoring opportunities:

Community-based program

• One-year commitment from time of match
• Outings every week or every other week
• Volunteer is matched with a child or youth, picks them up at their home, and spends time together in the community participating in activities that they both enjoy

Site-based program

• One-year commitment during school year
• 1 hour per week at a local school or after school program
• Volunteer is matched with a student and meets with them at that site participating in activities that they both enjoy

Both programs require a one-year commitment from the time the match is made.
Match Support: Once you are matched, we provide ongoing support via monthly check-in calls with you, your Little, and your Little’s parent or guardian.
Application Process: If you would like to have an application sent to you via email, give us a call at 773-KIDS (773-5437).

• Complete the application and pre-interview questionnaire
  • The application will ask you to provide 3 references:

1. Employer or teacher, who has known you for at least one year
2. Friend or co-worker who has known you for at least two years
3. Spouse or domestic partner or family member

• A thorough personal safety background check (including police and motor vehicle records) is done on all prospective volunteers, as child safety is our number 1 priority
• Participate in face to face interview and pre-match training