Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Who can be a Big Brother or Big Sister?
A. Any caring person, age 17 and older, who wants to help a child face life's challenges, and show them the fun in learning, talking and listening. Anyone who has a warm memory of someone helping them in their childhood, a person who can just be a friend. Professional staff members guide the volunteer.

Q. What difference do volunteers make?
A. A 1995 study by research firm Public/Private Ventures showed that children with Big Brother Big Sister mentors were:

• 46% less likely to start using drugs
• 27% less likely to start drinking
• 52% less likely to skip a day of school
• 37% less likely to skip a class
• 33% less likely to hit someone.

Q. What is Martin County's record?
A. During the last fiscal year ending on 6/30, your local agency exceeded all its goals. It mentored 17% more children than forecast, and among them:

• 94% improved or maintained academically
• 98% maintained or improved school attendance
• 93% maintained or improved their behavior.

Q. What does a volunteer do?
A. A volunteer is not a babysitter or substitute parent. As a school-based mentor - you talk, read, work together on homework. Community mentors meet their charges at school or in a library; pick them up from home to go to a park, fishing or a ball field. Teen mentors don't transport the Little's, but adult mentors may do so. If you have been away from little kids for awhile and wonder what interests them now, visit the following web sites for a quick refresher:

www.att.virtualclassroom.org/vc98_/friends.html

www.att.virtualclassroom.org/vc98_31/family.html

Q. How much time will it take?
A. Volunteer opportunities can be during or after school hours, at night, or on weekends - giving kids undivided attention, having fun together, listening, talking, and sharing friendship. Have more questions? Visit our online Message Board and ask your questions by clicking here!