EMPOWER THEIR POTENTIAL

Finding a mentor for your child is a great way to support their healthy development, mental health, and lifetime success. We’d love to partner with you to provide your child with a positive adult role model.

BIG MEMORIES

BS Siobhan McGirl and Jahyleeanne at beach

JAHYLEA & SIOBHAN

Matched since 2020

Nija1-Resized

Meet the Saunders Family

Matched since 2019

Koga #5

Jayden & Koga

Matched since 2020

ENROLL YOUR CHILD

Arm your child with another awesome adult.

We connect young people aged 6-14 with a one-to-one, life-changing mentor to reach their potential, supporting healthy development and youth mental health.

Each mentoring match is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist who is always there to provide resources and support specific to the Little’s age.

UNLOCK THEIR POTENTIAL

As a parent, you recognize the potential of your child better than anyone. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, we are committed to partnering with you to help your child ignite that potential.

More than 98% of young people matched with a Big report enjoying a strong mentoring relationship with their Big. The young people we serve are also:

more likely to be doing better in school.

less likely to use alcohol or illegal drugs.

less likely to get in trouble at school or in their community.

GET A BIG - FAMILY ENROLLMENT PROCESS

We’re so glad you’re interested in getting a Big Brother or Big Sister! It’s truly a fun, life-changing experience for your child that connects them with another caring adult. Here are the basic steps we need each of our family applicants to complete.

STEP 1: Inquire and, Apply

The first step in getting a Big is submitting a brief, online inquiry. Then, a member of our Inquiry Team will reach out to ensure you have the information you need to better understand the programming opportunity, as well as complete your Family Application.

STEP 2: Get interviewed

An Enrollment Specialist will conduct your Intake Interview virtually via video conference. This interview will help us learn more about you and your child and make sure that we find the right mentor who matches your child’s personality, compliments their background, and shares their interests.

STEP 3: Choose Your Big

After your Enrollment Specialist identifies a suitable mentor, your Enrollment Specialist will reach out to discuss any potential match candidates. You will be provided with your Enrollment Specialist’s recommendation, including background information on each prospective Big, before selecting a match candidate you are interested in meeting.

STEP 4: Meet Your Big

It is finally time to meet your Big! After approving your match, your Enrollment Specialist will coordinate a Match Introduction Meeting between you, your child, and your prospective Big. This meeting is a chance for all match participants to get to know one another and determine the suitability of the prospective match within a safe, supported, and staff facilitated environment.

STEP 5: Build a friendship

Once approved by all parties, the match becomes official and the relationship can begin. Parents and Littles work with the Big to communicate and schedule outings, while also connecting with their Match Support Specialist, who will be providing you, your child, and their Big with support and guidance throughout your relationship.

STEP 6: Ongoing support

Throughout the life of your child’s match, you will be asked to regularly respond to your Match Support Specialist to provide updates on your child’s relationship with this Big, as well as complete regular program surveys.

FAQS

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

We’re here to help you every step of the way. View a full list of commonly asked questions to get the information you need.

Who are our Bigs?

Bigs must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid driver’s license and be willing to commit to a long-term volunteer experience of one year, however, most friendships last much longer. These mentors are friends, role models, and advocates for children.

 

How are Bigs screened and trained?

Child safety, match consistency and positive outcomes are our top priority. The application process includes application, confirmation of identity via social security number and driver’s license, criminal history background check, driving record check, auto insurance verification, personal/family references, an extensive online interview, an in-home assessment and ongoing volunteer training and support.

 

What is the role of the family?

The role of a family is very important. Supporting the friendship, encouraging communication, developing your own relationship with the Big and being responsive to BBBS staff are all essential.

 

What happens after my child is matched with a Big?

That’s when the fun begins! Matches meet 2-3 times a month and stay in touch in between. Bigs and Littles choose when they hang out together and what they do. You and your child will have a dedicated professional staff member throughout your child’s match that will monitor the match and offer resources.

A part of these resources will be regularly scheduled agency events and other engagement opportunities. Ranging from our program picnic and holiday party, to community events and activities, there are a number of ways you can participate alongside your child and deepen your connection with your child’s Big and our agency.

 

How long will my child be matched?

Matches can remain active with BBBS until your child reaches their educational goals. We support a variety of paths based on your child’s potential including college, trade school, vocational training, enlistment, internship, and job placements.

 

What is the cost of the program?

You will never pay, nor be asked to pay, a single penny to BBBS as program enrollment and participation is completely free of change for families. However, many of our matches do elect to participate in activities that have out-of-pocket-costs for our mentors, even though we try our best as agency to promote and offer no-cost activities for matches. Examples of these activities like these include trips to the bowling alley, catching a movie together, or attending a baseball game.

 

What if it doesn’t work out?

We do everything in our power to make a match that we think will last. However, we realize that sometimes things come up and situations change. We will attempt to mediate the situation, but if it doesn’t work out, your Match Support specialist facilitate the end of your match relationship.

If your child’s match does close, you will be provided a number of different options to remain engaged with our organization, including reconnecting with your Enrollment Specialist to find you an adequate rematch and/or, if your child is of high school age or older, remaining enrolled in our Big Futures Program.

ENROLL YOUR CHILD

For more info about enrolling a child, contact our Inquiry and Customer Service Team, at program@ctbigs.org or call (860) 525-5437, option 2