Sedwick County BBBS

Community Based Program

Volunteers spend time with their Littles 2 to 3 hours a week, 3 to 4 times a month. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, a junior in high school and have a valid driver's license. Volunteer requirements may vary depending on your county. Check with your local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency for details.

Being a mentor makes a big difference. You can help reduce the chances of a child in your community using drugs, drinking alcohol, skipping school, or being in violent confrontations.

Bigs In Schools

Bigs meet once a week with their Littles at their site to provide extra attention, help with schoolwork, and friendship. Whether they play games, shoot baskets, work on homework assignments, eat lunch together or sit and talk, both Bigs and Littles enjoy and benefit from their time together.

Bigs in Schools are people from our communities – local high school or college students, senior citizens, employees who visit on their lunch hour – who want to be a good role model for young people. Our professional staff trains each volunteer, and staff from both the school and BBBS supervises every match.

Bigs in Schools has been proven to have a significant, positive impact on the children in the program. According to the results of a major study*, teachers reported:

68% of students developed a more positive attitudes toward school
66% achieved higher grades in at least one subject
78% developed higher levels of self-confidence
62% were more likely to trust their teachers

There are many children who can benefit from having a Big Brother or Big Sister. You can help bring the magic of a Big into the lives of even more children by Volunteering or Giving a Donation today!

* Sources: BBBS School-Based Mentoring Evaluation of Five Pilot Programs and Program Outcome-Based Evaluations (POE) and Academic Competencies

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors!

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors is a mentoring program that matches adults and children who share an interest in the great outdoors. Caring volunteers spend a few hours a week with their Littles, teaching them to hunt, fish, camp, hike and other outdoor activities. Big Brothers Big Sisters will match your interests with a child's and check in regularly to see how it is going.

Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors hosts events such as hunting, fishing, and canoe trips. We provide all the resources and training you will need. Our mentors share their love of nature and knowledge of outdoor activities, but most importantly, they share their lives with a child. You have the opportunity to positively influence the life of a child simply by being a friend.

"These kids want to learn about the outdoors," said Mike Christensen, president of Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors. "We find that without dedicated volunteer, they won't ever get to experience the outdoors."

To find out if this program is available in your area, contact your local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency or call 888-KS4-BIGS. To learn more about Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors program, visit www.outdoormentors.org.

Malisa's Hope

Melisa's Hope is a faith-based mentoring program sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters. As a Malisa's Hope mentor, you agree to:

Support your Little's church fellowship or include him or her in your own church family.
Share your faith to help your Little with his or her journey of faith.
Teach your Little the importance of helping others.

Malisa's Hope offers the same volunteering options as other Big Brothers Big Sisters programs: community-based or school-based mentoring. It is open to all denominations who will share their time, love and faith in God with a child who needs a mentor.

Malisa's Hope was started by Bill and Becky Caffey in honor of their daughter, Malisa. Malisa was 19 years old and attending Baylor University when she was killed by a hit-and-run driver. "I wish the young man who killed my daughter had been offered the opportunity to have a Big Brother as his mentor while he was growing up. Malisa might still be with us today, and he might not be in jail," said Bill Caffey.

Your church can get involved by participating in the Church Bowl of Bowl For Kids' Sake, hosting a recruitment presentation or volunteering as Bigs. To find out if this program is available in your area, contact you local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency or call 888-KS4-BIGS.