FAQs

 
 

Does it cost anything to enroll my child?

Mentoring services are FREE to children and their families. BBBSLC is able to provide no-cost services thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations and federal and state grants.

What does BBBSLC seek to accomplish for my child?

BBBSLC seeks to establish a match between your child (Little) and a volunteer adult (Big) that results in consistent interaction and a high level of relationship quality, marked by friendship, bonding, and trust. Risks to your child are diminished through more supportive adult involvement. The caring adult volunteer focuses on your child’s interests, strengths and resources.

BBBSLC strives to promote positive changes in scholastic confidence and competence, social acceptance and peer relations, educational expectations, the avoidance of delinquency, and improved parental relationships. By strengthening skills related to these outcomes, the volunteer mentor can help create protective factors that help cancel out potential negative influences.

Your Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County is your LOCAL affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a 117-year-old youth mentoring organization that has developed a highly effective approach to mentoring, with formalized standards and requires procedures for affiliates, which has led to the model’s recognition as an evidence-based program.

How long is my commitment?

Children who are matched with a volunteer mentor have the best results when their relationship lasts at least one year – but the majority of our matches at BBBSLC actually last more than three years!

How will it change my child’s life for the better?

A study for Big Brothers Big Sisters found that children match with a Big Brother of Big Sister:

  • Are more confident

  • Are more likely to steer away from drugs and alcohol

  • Do better in school

  • Get along better with their family and friends

  • Feel better about themselves

  • Are more likely to make positive life choices

How do I know its safe for my child?

Here at BBBSLC child safety is top priority! We get it. We’re moms and dads, too. That’s why we have rigorous child protection systems in place to keep all the children we serve safe. Our staff and volunteer Bigs undergo thorough screen and background checks.

Big Brothers Big Sisters National Standards of Excellence require each mentor volunteer to complete an extensive screening process that includes:

  • Completion of a written application

  • Background and reference checks

  • An in-person interview

  • Undergo an assessment of their home environment

  • An orientation and training process that outlines the individualized needs of your child and provides information, training and resources on how to encourage your child’s development

  • Ongoing match support, evaluations and follow-ups throughout the mentoring relationship by professional BBBSLC staff

What steps will I need to take to enroll my child?

Enrolling your child is easy, but thorough and thoughtful so that we can make the best possible mentor match for your child. First, you will attend an orientation and complete and submit a written application. Once received, a BBBSLC staff member will conduct an in-person interview with your child, followed by an interview with you, the parent, to provide us with information regarding the social, educational, behavioral and development strengths of your child.

We will then follow the parent interview with a series of questions about the child’s home environment to help us understand the physical surroundings, immediate neighborhood and other residents of the home. We will also request other collateral information that may be helpful including school or therapy reports. Once all information is gathered from the inquiry and enrollment process, you will be provided with a professional assessment and match recommendations for your child. Please note: all information gathered is treated with the strictest of confidence and abiding by all HIPPA laws and requirements. A pre-match training will be held to help you determine if the program is a good fit for your child and your family.

As a Parent, What Role Will I Play in My Child’s Mentoring Match?

No one knows your child better than you! That’s why BBBSLC wants you to play an important role in your child’s mentoring match. Not only will you provide information about your child’s strengths and needs, but you will also approve the selection of the Big Brother or Big Sister.

Once the match is made, you will remain closely involved in many ways, including:

  • Deciding whether to enroll your child in a community-based (outside of school, evenings or weekends) or school/site-based program (during school at lunchtime or in an after-school setting)

  • Approving activities and outings for your child and their Big (If enrolled in community-based program

  • Asking your child questions about those outings, and sharing what you learned with BBBSLC staff (if enrolled in community-based program)

  • Reporting your child’s progress and milestones to BBBSLC staff (BBBSLC staff will stay in contact with you on a regular basis, but we welcome your feedback at any time)

  • Participating in training on child safety offered by BBBSLC staff and communicating with your child about training he or she receives.