Get in touch
Phone - (859) 231-8181
Email - info@bbbs-bluegrass.org
INQUIRE TO BE A BIG
We’re so glad you’re interested in becoming a big.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass serves children who want and need a mentor in their lives. BBBSBG matches Littles in ages 6-13 with Bigs in a one-to-one, life-changing friendship. Bigs and Littles hang out 3-4 times a month for a couple hours doing normal, everyday activities, like going to see a movie, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out! Each match is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist who is always there to provide resources and support specific to the Little’s age. With a Big in their life, children in the BBBSBG program are empowered to ignite their potential as they grow in their self-esteem, earn better grades, and develop a lifelong friendship with their Big.
It’s truly a fun, life-changing volunteer experience that gives the invaluable gift of your friendship. Here are the basic steps we need each of our volunteer applicants to complete.
STEP 1
INQUIRE
Interested in learning more about our programs and how you can be part of a life-changing friendship? Simply click below to complete a short inquiry form. Then, we'll send you additional information about BBBS and a customized link to your application.
STEP 2
Complete Training
Online for Convenience, Interactive, Takes About an Hour
Our online training platform makes the one hour, interactive pre-match training developed by BBBS of America easy and convenient to complete. This will help prepare you with additional information and tips for being the best Big you can be!
STEP 3
Complete Your Interview
This allows us to get to know YOU, answer YOUR questions, and match YOU with the RIGHT Little. Interviews take about an hour and can be conducted in-person or via Zoom at a time convenient for you.
STEP 4
Meet Your Little
After you are accepted, BBBS Staff will work to find the best Little for you.
STEP 5
Build A Friendship
Now the fun begins! Schedule outings with your Little and check-in with our team on a regular basis.
HEAR FROM OUR BIGS
Read these stories about BBBSBG matches
BIG FAQS
HOW DO YOU BECOME A BIG?
You’ll start by providing some basic information in this form. A member of our Program Team will be in touch with more information and a personalized link to your online application. Once your application is received, you’ll be contacted to schedule an interview (in-person & Zoom options available) with one of our enrollment specialists along with information on how to complete the interactive online training. After the interview, our staff will perform reference checks, a background check, and will review your driving record. If you are approved to become a Big (congratulations!), our staff will begin searching for prospective Littles for you. We make matches based on location, common interests, and other measures that are important to you, the LIttles, and their parents/guardians. This process generally takes about 30-45 days. Once a compatible match has been found, a staff member will contact you to tell you about the Little. With your approval, a Match Meeting will be set up so the two of you can meet!
WHO ARE THE BIGS IN THE PROGRAM?
Our Bigs come from diverse backgrounds just like our Littles. They are regular people, just like you. You don’t need any special degrees or job skills. You just have to want to positively impact a young person. Role models come in all shapes and sizes, and you could be a perfect fit.
HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I SPEND?
The quality of the time you invest with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend. That’s why we don’t encourage spending a lot of money on your outings. The goal of the relationship is to help your Little see the world through a different lens so you can inspire your Little to become something they never thought possible. If you are going to spend money, we encourage you to seek out low-cost activities, especially in the beginning. Play a game together, or share that pizza that you were going to have for lunch anyway. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies offer donor-supported group activities that are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles. As a Big, you may also receive notices for free tickets to cultural and sports activities for you both to enjoy.
WHEN CAN I SEE MY LITTLE?
As a Big/Little team, you decide together what you want to do and then your Little gets approval from their Parent. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule of outings and get together on a regular basis. Your local agency will provide more guidance on this. The outings will also depend on the comfort level of your Little’s parents, your Little, and you.
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD IDEAS FOR OUTINGS WITH MY LITTLE?
Share an activity that gives you something in common to talk about. Go to the library, check out a book and read together. Buy a comic book to read together. Play a board game. Go on a nature walk. Hit a bucket of golf balls at the local driving range. Take a ride in the car with the radio on and talk about the music you like. You want to select activities that give each of you a chance to learn more about one another. For children, playing can be learning. Most important: keep it simple and enjoy yourselves!
WILL I BECOME A REPLACEMENT PARENT?
No, Littles have a parent or guardian in their life already. What they need is a Big, a positive older friend, to spend quality, one-on-one time with them. Someone to have fun with, someone they can confide in, someone like you!
CAN I BRING MY SPOUSE, A FRIEND, OR A FAMILY MEMBER ON OUTINGS?
In the beginning it’s most 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’s also valuable for your Little to get to know the people who are important to you (with your Little’s Parent’s permission first, of course). Just keep in mind that if you’re spending lots of time with others, your Little may begin to feel jealous or neglected. The main focus is the friendship you develop with your Little.
WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT CAN I EXPECT FROM BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ONCE I GET MATCHED?
Once you are matched with your Little, a Match Support Specialist from the agency will be in regular contact with you to provide assistance and give feedback. Any time you are unsure about what to do or how to handle a situation, you will have a Match Support Specialist there to help. They’ll help you with ideas for activities, guidance for handling possible difficult situations, and feedback on how you are making a difference.
GET CONNECTED
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.