Volunteers Make a Big Difference!
Volunteer opportunities exist state-wide in Delaware. Please see our Link Page for office addresses and a direct link to email. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children ages 6 through 17 with mentors in professionally supported one-to-one relationships. We have several volunteer options to choose from.

In this traditional BBBS program, the volunteer is matched with a child, age 6 to 17, from a single-parent family. The volunteer and child get together two to four times a month to do things they both enjoy. The goal of the friendship is to help the child with the tough job of growing up, expose him/her to new learning experiences, and to help strengthen their self esteem.

This is an option for the Community-Based Program where married couples can serve as a Big Brother Big Sister "team." This method of mentoring is practical for those who want to mentor, but are concerned that individually they may not have the time to commit to a Little Brother or Sister. Married couples can spend time with their Little as a team, or one-on-one. In addition, if a married couple has children of their own they can simply include their Little in family activities.

The School Mentor program offers the volunteer the option to meet with a child one hour a week during the child's school day, usually at lunch time. During these visits, the volunteer and the child play games, do school work, have lunch, or just talk. As in all the BBBS programs, the goal is to strengthen the self esteem of a child by providing adult friendship.

Research shows that 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will themselves at some point be incarcerated - unless they have positive adult intervention.That is why mentoring children of prisoners is a key component of Big Brothers Big Sisters' goal to reach more kids, especially those who may face significant risk factors.

Based on the same philosophy as the Community-Based Program, the Mentoring Children of Promise Program matches adult volunteers with children, ages 5 through 15, who have an incarcerated mother or father. The children have been enrolled in the program by their custodial parent or guardian. Many of these children are being raised by a grand parent.

Volunteers are matched to a particular child according to an assessment of the child's needs, interests and abilities. Mentors are asked to visit with the child about once a week, primarily on weekends or after school. The focus of the relationship is to expose the child to new life experiences and provide support and guidance, all while having fun! Once the child's parent is released from prison, the match can still continue, as long as the parent and volunteer both agree.

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