FAQs: Big Brothers

What is your agency mission?
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to help children reach their full potential through professionally supported one-to-one volunteer mentoring relationships with measurable impact.
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How does mentoring work?
Simple. Someone volunteers to share time with a young person, offering support and guidance. By spending time together, learning new things and enjoying friendship, the mentor helps the young person dream bigger and grow stronger.
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What are the requirements to mentor?
Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age to become a School-Based Mentor, and 18 years of age for all other programs. We want stable, positive people to volunteer. You don't have to be brilliant, athletic, famous or rich - our kids need real people who want to have fun and be a friend.
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What are the volunteer steps?
First, simply let us know you're interested by e-mailing or calling. We'd like to answer any questions you might have, and help you decide which program is the best fit.

Second, for each individual program, there is a training and volunteer interview process. It's actually very simple.

  • Volunteer Training: The introductory volunteer training is generally 1-2 hours (depending on the program you are choosing). It is a great way for you to learn more about your role as a mentor, the program guidelines, and how BBBS will support your match. It's also a great way to meet other new volunteers and simply begin your BBBS experience positively.
  • Volunteer Interview: The interview is so we can get to know you as an individual. We will ask about your background, hobbies and goals - which helps us know you better and therefore, match you better with a Little Brother or Little Sister. We will also check your background and driving record, ensuring we match the safest volunteers with our kids.

Lastly, your application is reviewed by our screening committee. Once accepted, our staff begins the matching process of connecting you to a child who needs a mentor.

Today, just know the first step is to give us a call or e-mail bbbs@biglittlecolorado.org.

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How do children come into the program?
Children and parents may hear about BBBS from a teacher, a counselor, their church, a friend, commercials, etc. All children are interviewed for the program, and the child and their parent/guardian choose to be in our program.
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How do you match?
We assess the strengths offered by the volunteer and match the mentor with a child who could best benefit from these positive characteristics. We take into consideration the backgrounds, personalities, interests and experiences of both the volunteer and the child. Our professionals then find the right pairing of mentor and youth.
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How is a match supported?
Not only will we guide you through the simple steps to become a Big, we are going to support you once you are matched. A professionally trained Program Specialist will work individually with your match. These professionals always have your match's success in mind, and will provide guidance, and direction concerning your friendship, activities and goals.
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Am I going to have a chance to meet other Big Brothers and Big Sisters?
Yes! Sports Buddies and School Based Mentoring are group-mentoring programs, and you're individual match will be hanging out with other volunteers and matches all the time. In our Community Mentoring program, while you and your Little may normally share time one-to-one, BBBS regularly hosts match events (like a picnic, Rockies game or museum tour) for groups of matches. We also hope to see you at Bigs Only events.
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What is your greatest need?
Volunteers - especially male volunteers. We just can't recruit people fast enough. And to keep those mentoring relationships going, we need funds to do it. The bottom line - more mentors, more dollars. This offers more services to kids in need.
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If I become a Big in the Community Mentoring Program, do I have to spend a lot of money?
Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, we encourage no- or low-cost activities so your relationship doesn't include false expectations based on expensive outings. We even encourage the parent to provide means for the child, when possible. You will receive regular monthly listings of no- and low-cost events around town, and can also attend monthly match activities sponsored by BBBS.
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What do volunteers like most about Community Mentoring?
This program is very flexible! Bigs and Littles meet based upon their own schedules, and together decide what to do. Whether matches are playing catch on a Tuesday night, or catching a movie on Sunday afternoon - it's up to the two of you!
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What kinds of activities do Bigs and Littles do together in Community Mentoring?
One week you might go for a hike, work on a school-project, play catch in the park or volunteer together. Really, it's largely up to the two of you. There are so many opportunities around us. Worried that you will run out of things to do? Please, don't worry about that. We've got plenty of suggestions - and we also know that eventually you will realize that "what you do together" isn't as important as the fact that you're doing it together.
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What do volunteers like most about School Based Mentoring?
As we like to say, "Let us do the planning - show up, have fun and make an impact!" Meet your Little at their elementary school the same time each week to work on homework and other projects - we'll make sure everything is in place. As a School-Based Big, you commit for only one school-year (generally about 9 months).
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