BEING BIG
When Bigs share their mentoring experiences, they inspire others to make a difference. Right now, there are children waiting to be matched with a caring Big Brother or Big Sister. By giving just a few hours each month, you can make a BIG impact and help change a child’s life for the better.
-Big Brother, TJ Kerr
BECOMING A BIG
We match volunteer mentors (Bigs) with children (Littles) who need help with self-esteem, decision-making, and other areas of life.
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Once your application is submitted, you will be directed to your interview. Interviews are in-person at your local BBBSOK office.
You will need three references, your driver’s license and car insurance verification.
*Big Couples interview individually.
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Your interview consists of questions about you, your childhood, your interests and your expectations about being a Big.
Following your interview, our staff will process your background check. Once that and your references are cleared, you will be added to our Match List!
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Matching is not a “next in line” process. Our Program Specialists match Bigs and Littles weekly, based on preferences, interests, and location. Every match is unique!
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Your Program Specialist will schedule an in-person match introduction where you meet your new Little, learn our policies, plan your first outing, and set goals for your new match.
You will meet with your Little consistently. Based on the program you chose, this could be weekly at the child’s school or after-school site or a couple times a month in the community.
You will be required to connect via phone with your Program Specialist each month to make sure everything is going great for you and your new Little.
Learn more about our program by watching the Big Webcast. Click the video to get started or schedule your personal session.
MATCH PARTNERS
Show your match card to our match partners to receive community benefits.
PROGRAM FORMATS
We offer a variety of program formats so that you can find a mentoring program to best suit your needs.
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Matches will enjoy activities within the community like going to the park, eating lunch or catching a movie.
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You will meet the child at their school to do a variety of on-campus activities. School-based matches are available in Tulsa, OKC, Bartlesville, Norman, and Stillwater.
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A Big Couple mentors one child together as a team in a community-based match.
FAQ
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We have three primary mentoring formats: Community Matches, Site-Based Matches, and Big Couple Matches. Our community program is offered in all five of our markets. Please check your local office to see if our other formats are offered there.
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After you submit your application, your case will be assigned to a Program Specialist who will be in regular contact with you to provide assistance, give feedback, help with ideas for activities, and offer guidance for handling difficult situations.
We offer agency-sponsored training that covers topics like trauma-informed care and how to talk to a teenager.
We also offer other resources and sponsor monthly match activities where you and your Little can interact with other community matches.
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COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM: You’ll meet with your Little two to four times a month for a few hours at a time. Together, you decide what activities you want to do.
SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM: Matches meet for about an hour each week during the school year.
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COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM: You have the freedom to decide what activities you and your Little will do together based on common interests.
Big Brothers Big Sisters often provides tickets and activities from our community partners such as sporting or community events.
SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM: Matches meet at the school and usually have access to the library, gym and playground. Often, they enjoy spending time together during lunch.
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A Big Couple mentors one child together as a team in a community based match with a Little Brother.
We ask that all Bigs make a one-year commitment to their Little (but most stay matched much longer than that) so if you and your partner are in a committed relationship, you can be a Big Couple.
This is a great option for all couples including young professionals, empty-nesters and everything in between.
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In the beginning it is important for you and your Little to get to know each other. This can happen best on a one-to-one basis.
However, over time it is also valuable for your Little to get to know the people who are important to you. The main focus is the friendship you develop with your Little and the impact you have on their life.
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The quality of time invested with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend. We don’t encourage spending money on your outings because the goal of the relationship is to help your Little see the world through a different lens.
If you do spend money, we encourage you to seek out low-cost activities: shoot hoops at a local park, play a game together, or meet your Little at the park for a picnic lunch.
Sometimes our agency is able to provide free tickets to concerts and sporting events. We also have a monthly community activity calendar that is full of low-cost and free events in your area.