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A Big Brother or Big Sister is a volunteer committed to being a positive, consistent, caring mentor and friend to a child. Each Big Brother or Big Sister is asked to develop a trusting relationship that provides opportunities for fun, shared activities, learning life skills, and opportunities to participate in community service projects.

All prospective volunteers are screened through an application, background checks, character references, and personal interviews. Upon approval, the volunteer will be matched with a child based on personality, common interests, the child's needs and the volunteer's strengths. A professional match support specialist will provide ongoing support throughout the match.

All program service delivery is supported by rigorous standards and administered by trained professional staff, continuing the national tradition of providing the best volunteer mentor for each child.

A Program That Works!

Independent research has proven that children matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are:

  • 46% less likely to use drugs
  • 27% less likely to start using alcohol
  • 52% less likely to skip school
  • 33% less likely to hit someone
  • More confident in school performance
  • Get along better with family and friends

Our goals are simple-to develop caring, confident, and competent children that stay in school, off drugs, and out of trouble, by matching them with the caring, consistent, safe role models they need.

Child Safety is our Priority

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ child protection system was developed in consultation with top nationwide child protection experts.  Volunteers in our program undergo thorough interviews and screenings that include police background checks. Monitoring takes place throughout the mentoring friendship and precautionary child safety information is provided to our Littles and their families at the time of enrollment.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ standards and our best practices service delivery model require the following steps are taken in enrolling a volunteer:

  • Completion of a formal written application
  • A criminal history record check
  • References Checks
  • An in-person interview
  • An assessment of the volunteer’s home environment
  • A professional assessment of appropriateness to volunteer with a child
  • An orientation and training process that outlines the individualized needs of the child and provides information and resources on how the volunteer can encourage the child's healthy development
  • Volunteers, parents and children receive education and training on child sexual abuse prevention at the time of enrollment

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma has been a leader in providing child safety education to its Littles and their families based on effective prevention practices developed by nationwide experts.

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ emphasis on providing professional support throughout the life of a match sets us apart from many other programs across the mentoring field.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s Standards require ongoing, interactive communication with parents, children and volunteers based on a prescribed minimum contact schedule to monitor the ongoing health and safety of match relationships, to ascertain any issues or concerns with the child or family involved in the program, and to provide support and ongoing training as needed to our volunteers.

 



Community Based Program

The Big Brother or Big Sister spends a few hours a week a few times a month for at least a year, with the child developing a friendship and enjoying a variety of activities in the community. The volunteer must be at 18 yrs old or older. A child may be referred to the program by the parent/guardian, school, counselor or other agency. In the community-based program, preference is given to the child living in a one-parent home or in a two-parent home with extenuating circumstances.

Amachi, formerly MCOP (Mentoring Children of Prisoners), is a community based program that serves children with one or both parents in prison. Oklahoma ranks #1 in the nation for female incarcerations and #3 for males. Without positive role models a high percentage of these children will end up in jail themselves. They benefit greatly from caring adulst who are willing to spend some time with them, (three to four hours a week several times a month.)

Site-Based Programs

Big Brothers Big Sisters has site-based or school based programs at area elementary schools or other agency designated site. The Brother or Big Sister volunteer may be a high school student, college student or an adult. The Big Brother or Big Sister volunteer spends one hour a week, during the academic year, sharing friendship and activities with the child at the child's school or other agency designated site. A teacher, counselor or principal may refer any child that can most benefit from a safe, caring, consistent role model.