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BBBS of Montana

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls

 

Changing how our children grow up in Great Falls.

We need you!

Community Based Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls needs mentors for 50 waiting children in the community based program. In this program a child is matched with an adult mentor, and the match meets at least 8 hours a month to engage in mutual interests. There is not a set schedule, the match decides when, where, and what they are going to do. In the community program, a person can be a Big Brother, Big Sister, a Big Couple, or a Big Family. The volunteers are carefully screened adults who are willing to commit to the program for a minimum of nine months.  There is also such thing as a part time volunteer who is not matched with a child, but works with the unmatched children at group activities.


“I decided to mentor a child at the Boys & Girls Club because I wanted to make a positive impact on a child's life.  I wanted to be able to help them in their studies, as well as be a positive influence in their life.  I also wanted to be there to support them and help build their confidence, not only with schoolwork, but in all aspects of life.” -Mark  5/6/08


School-Based Mentoring Program

The School-Based Mentoring Program matches high school students or adults with elementary students.  The matches meet in the school setting for one hour each week.  The time is broken into three segments including; participating in group activities promoting trust, cooperation and social interaction, spending one-on-one working on academics as assigned by the Little Buddy's teacher, and having fun time with their Big Buddy. The volunteers are carefully screened high school students or adults who are willing to commit to the program for a minimum of one semester.  Each volunteer is screened for appropriate academic, communication, and social interaction skills and a desire to help a younger child.  Training and support are provided to each mentor by Big Brothers Big Sisters. Children participating in the program are referred by their teachers or counselors.  They have been identified as children who would benefit from a one-to-one relationship. The program is intended to provide support and assistance to young children to help them increase their self-confidence, social competence and ability to care.


Over the 2008-2009 school year, BBBS’s Buddies program was successful in reaching 60 elementary students in Cascade County and providing these students with a high school mentor. To keep a successful mentoring program at East middle school, BBBS needs the support of businesses who will allow employees to leave their work for 45 minutes to one hour each week during the school year. That’s one hour a week, not day!


Club-Based Mentoring Program

High school students or adults have the opportunity to mentor a child at the Boys & Girls Club one evening each week during the school year, summers are optional. 

If you would like to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters or would like more information please call us at 453-5521 or email us at bbbsgfalls@3rivers.net.