Why Volunteer?

Kids today face problems we never dreamed of when we were younger. But, hard as it is for some kids, there is help.

A Big Brother or Big Sister can act as a mentor and a role model. A "Big" can show a child that, no matter how difficult things get, there is a caring adult friend there for them - someone who will listen with an uncritical ear, who will give advice if asked, and encouragement when needed, and who will help put things into perspective.

Ultimately, the guidance of a Big Brother or Big Sister can help a child grow into a confident, competent, and caring individual.

What does a Volunteer do?

A Big Brother or Big Sister can have a major impact on a child's life, and yet it's a truly simple process. It just takes some time, a love of life, and a concern for children.

A Big Brother or Big Sister is not a substitute parent or a babysitter. Activites are those any friends might share: watching movies, bicycling in the park, sitting and talking, or even just running errands. One volunteer said, "Some of our best times are just talking when we're in the car." The focus is not on spending money, but on just spending time with a child. Your time can make a positive difference in a child's life.

What is the Benefit?

A child's self-esteem increases when an adult friend genuinely cares. His or her future is broadened by a role model who can be a guide to life's opportunities, and around life's obstacles. And for our children, the obstacles are very real.

The benefits to volunteers are: a chance to reconnect with youth, to make a good life even better, and to have a sense of "giving something back." The feelings of growing and learning are shared by the child and the volunteer. As one volunteer put it, "I joined to make a difference in a child's life, but sometimes I think I get more out it than he does."

How does it Work?

Our service matches children from primarily father-absent homes with adult volunteers. The volunteers and the children come from all walks of life and from all types of communities.

Prospective volunteers, who usually commit to a few hours a week for about a year, are carefully evaluated by the agency staff. Each match is based on the needs of the child and the interests of both the child and the volunteer. Once a match is made, professional caseworkers are there to provide advice and support to help the match grow.

You Can Help in Several Different Ways:

• Simply become aware of our program and help spread our message to others.
• Become a "Big"! Contact the office nearest you to get started.
• Become a leadership volunteer. We need many volunteers to do activities from making newsletters to serving on our board.
• Provide in-kind services and/or product donations.
• Contribute or participate in special events, such as our annual Bowl for Kids' Sake bowl-a-thon.

A 1995 independent research study conducted by Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) concluded that children who were matched with a Big Brother or Sister for a year were:

• 52% less likely to skip school
• 46% less likely to begin using drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol and more!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Missouri has several kids waiting for Bigs. By the year 2000 we would like to eliminate our waiting list and double the number of matches in our area. Please help us acheive these two goals.