Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters enriches, encourages and empowers children to reach their highest potential through safe, positive mentoring relationships. Independent research demonstrates that the agency's model of one-to-one relationships has a direct and measurable impact on the children served. This proven success in creating safe, positive friendships translates into more confident children, healthier families and stronger communities.

Making the Connection

Matches come together through our two essential programs:

• Community-Based Mentoring: For as little as an hour a week, Bigs and Littles meet in their community to share fun activities, stories and a little bit of themselves.
• School-Based Mentoring: Bigs and Littles meet once a week or every other week at the Little's schools to talk and have fun. It's not about being a tutor.. it's about being a friend.

How a Big becomes a Big

A lot of things have to happen before we make a match. All our Bigs go through a thorough background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities and preferences. And we provide full support along the way - so that matches can grow into lasting friendships.

Volunteering is fun! Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things you will ever do. It's easy, too. Your Little can join you for the kinds of activities you already like to do, such as:

• Shooting hoops
• Playing a board game
• Sharing a pizza
• Taking a walk in the park
• Or just hanging out and talking.

Just a few hours a month can change a young person's life.

Depending on the Big Brothers Big Sisters program you're in, you will meet your Little at his or her school or in the community.

Little Brothers and Little Sisters come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are really little and some are teenagers. Some may live on your block and some a few miles away. What do they all have in common?

They need the friendship and Give your child the gift of a mentor - and a new friend. When people think of mentoring, they think of Big Brothers Big Sisters. That's because for 80 years we've worked to develop a youth mentoring program that works. Our experienced approach to recruiting, screening, matching and supporting our mentoring relationships has resulted in thousands of lasting relationships, and helped change the lives of young people across the country.

Our Impact.

Kids matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister:

• Are more confident
• Are more likely to steer clear of drugs and alcohol
• Do better in school
• Get along better with their family and friends
• Feel better about themselves

More about our impact

Parents are our Partners.

We'll work closely with you; your input is important. Not only do you provide information about your child's strengths and needs, but you approve the selection of the Big Brother or Big Sister.

Being a Little is good safe fun.

We understand you wouldn't trust your child with just anyone. That's why you'll be glad to know that every Big Brother and Big Sister has a thorough background check and every match is regularly reviewed by a professional Match Support Specialist.

Donating Bowl for Kids' Sake - Wichita Falls - Sunday, May 2, 2010, at Village Bowl. Sessions times begin at 1:00, 3:30 and 5:30 - Online registration available at www.westtxbowl.kintera.org

Bowl For Kids' Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters signature fundraising event. Each year, donors and bowlers come together to raise money and support Big Brothers Big Sisters in their efforts to help children.

Bowl For Kids' Sake is an easy and fun way to make a difference. Teams are formed with four to five members. Each team bowler is asked to obtain a minimum of $100 in sponsorships (for a total of $500 per team). That's just $10 from 10 people!

All of the event expenses are completely underwritten by our corporate sponsors. Therefore, 100% of the money raised by bowling teams supports the at-risk children in our community served through one-to-one mentoring relationships.

After you have secured your sponsorships, it's time to have fun! You'll receive two free games of bowling (shoe/ball rental included), a 2010 Bowl For Kids' Sake t-shirt, free pizza, free drinks, chances at great door prizes, and a souvenir team photo!

Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters through Bowl For Kids' Sake makes a measurable, long-lasting impact on our community, local schools, and children. Mentoring works. It works to ensure a more educated workforce, a more successful customer base, and the long term economic viability of our community. Supporting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters sustains the mission of mentoring.

You can be a sponsor, a bowler, or both!

If you are a donor, know that your support is helping put Big Brothers and Big Sisters in children's lives, right here in your community. If you are a bowler, enjoy a fun outing with friends - as well as the satisfaction of knowing you're making a big difference to kids right here in Wichita Falls.

Support from individuals like you is vital to provide mentors for children in Wichita County. It isn't easy being a kid these days. In these complex and confusing times, children need a caring adult to be a mentor and a friend - someone they can talk to, have fun with, and learn from.

Research shows that our mentoring works. Kids with a Big Brother or Big Sister show real differences in their personal and academic lives. They are:

• More confident in their schoolwork performance
• Able to get along better with their families
• 52% less likely to skip school

Here's how your donation will be used.

• Because we are serving thousands of children in North Texas, we are providing each one of them with a caring adult mentor. Your donation helps us recruit mentors for those children waiting for a mentor.
• Because the safety of the children in our program is our primary concern, you donation helps us cover the costs of background checks and insurance, while ensuring trained professionals match children to caring and responsible Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
• Because training is essential to success and safety of our mentoring relationships, your donation will help provide instructors and instructional materials during our professional training sessions provided for each of our volunteers matched to children in our program.
• Because the well being of all of the Bigs, Littles and families involved in our program is critical to our success, your donation allows us to professionally screen, interview, match and monitor the children and their mentors in our program.

Your donation goes to your community. When you make a gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you directly support children in your community. No matter how much you give, your contribution will improve the lives of young people in your community. Your donation will help them meet the challenges of growing up into happy, confident young adults.