Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?
   Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, matching caring adults with children, in one-to-one relationships.
    
2. How did Big Brothers Big Sisters get started?
   Ernest Coulter founded Big Brothers in New York City in 1904.  Coulter, a clerk of the Juvenile Court at the time, was appalled by the suffering of the thousands of children who repeatedly came through the court system.  At a meeting of civic and business leaders on December 4, 1904, Coulter appealed to those present to take on the role of a “Big Brother.”  All forty men present stepped forward, creating the movement that is now Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.  Across town, similar work was being done by a group of women who befriended girls who came before the Children’s Court.  This developed into the organization that later became Big Sisters.  In the decades to follow, Big Brother and Big Sister programs sprang up throughout the country and today, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the leading youth mentoring organization in the United States.
    
3. How can I get involved?
   There are two ways to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters: volunteering or making a donation. You can make a donation online, over the phone at 1.858.795.3090, or in person.  To volunteer, you can call Lynn Keane at 815-725-4324 or email.
    
4. Do I need special training to volunteer as a Big?
   No special training is required. All you need is the willingness to spend time with someone who needs a friend. Big Brothers Big Sisters' staff provides support and training as needed.
    
5. How much time am I expected to spend with my Little?
   It ranges from one hour a week to several hours a month.
    
6. Who are Big Brothers and Big Sisters?
   Big Brothers and Big Sisters are all kinds of people -- from high school and college students to business people to retirees -- who volunteer to spend time with children.  Bigs sometimes spend as little as one hour each week with a child in need.  Through this mentoring program, both child and adults share everyday experiences that enrich the lives of all involved.
    
7. Who are Little Brothers or Little Sisters?
   Littles are youths, from seven-to-13 years old, who come to Big Brothers Big Sisters either through a parent, guardian or the Big Brothers Big Sisters In Schools program, through the recommendation of a teacher.  Littles are from single and two-parent homes, from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.  The genesis of a match is that a parent, guardian or teacher believes that a child could benefit from the presence of an additional caring adult in his/her life.  The parent or guardian gives permission for the child to participate. 
    
8. How is Big Brothers Big Sisters different from other mentoring programs?
   Big Brothers Big Sisters is the only national mentoring organization with the primary mission of one-to-one mentoring with friendship as its cornerstone.  It provides both national leadership and comprehensive program services at the local community level.
    
9. How does Big Brothers Big Sisters create a match?
   A tremendous amount of due diligence goes not only into the creation of the match, but also to its support. In the community program, parents or guardians apply to the program for their child to be matched with a “Big.”  Potential Big Brothers and Big Sisters are screened for the role.  Screening includes a personal interview by a trained staff member and criminal, background and reference checks.  In community-based programs a home assessment is also made. The child and his/her parents meet with the Big and, if the parent gives consent, a match is made.  During the course of the match, a trained caseworker maintains contact with the match, oversees its development and offers guidance, if needed.
    
10. Are there different ways Bigs and Littles can interact?
    Yes.  There are essentially two different types of programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters: community-based and site-based.  In the community-based program, Bigs and Littles are matched by trained professionals and spend time on activities they jointly select, such as attending sporting events, going out for ice cream and other everyday fun activities.  Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers site-based programs where supervised meetings occur between Bigs and Littles at a dedicated site, usually a school.  At Big Brothers Big Sisters In Schools program, for instance, Bigs and Littles meet regularly at the school where they can have lunch together, play sports in the gym or use the computers in the library.  Strict screening of volunteers occurs for both programs and both involve ongoing support from trained professionals.  Big Brothers Big Sisters In Schools Program is the fastest growing program within the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.
     
11. Are the benefits of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program measurable?
    Yes, a national study by Public Private Ventures documents the benefits to Little Brothers and Little Sisters who participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  These youths are 52% less likely to skip a day of school and 46%less likely to start using drugs than peers who are not in the program.  Studies of youths in the school-based program show improved school performance and attendance, better grades and greater self-confidence.  In addition, impact of the match on the child is assessed each year.
     
12. Where does Big Brothers Big Sisters get its funding?
    Funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties comes from a variety of sources including individuals, foundations and corporations.