Be a Big Friend
Community-Based Mentoring
Big Friend Requirements
Age: At least 18 years old
Application Process:
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Fully complete and submit Big Friend application
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Provide four potential references
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Schedule an in-person interview
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Provide proof of a driver's license and auto insurance
*Final approval for all applications is dependent on the successful completion of a criminal background check
Approved Big Friend
Expectations
Time Commitment:
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Mentor will meet with the Little once a week for at least one hour
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Mentor will commit to mentoring for at least one year
Communication:
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Mentor will communicate with the BFLF office about how the match is going (activities completed, time spent together, any concerns about the match, etc.)
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Mentor will communicate with the Little's parents about what kind of activity they will be completing and when they plan to return
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Mentor will work with the Little Friend to plan activities both parties will enjoy
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Mentor will let the parent and Little Friend know if they will not be able to meet and need to reschedule a match outing
Little Friend Requirements
To receive services from the Big Friend Little Friend mentoring program, a child must:
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Be between the ages of 7 and 14 years. Exceptions to take children under the age of 7 will be made based on the number of volunteers available and the child's family situation.
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Reside within a 30 mile radius of Mitchell.
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Have a desire to participate in the program.
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Have a custodial parent/guardian who is capable of supporting a match relationship.
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If parents are divorced, there must be a clear resolution of all custodial issues.
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The needs of the child must be appropriate for volunteer intervention as determined by the Big Friend Little Friend staff.
Guidelines for determining eligibility include:
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Has poor self-esteem
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Culturally and/or economically disadvantaged
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Exhibits poor social skills
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Has few friends his/her own age
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Lacks adequate support and attention of a stable adult
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Is an underachiever academically
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Is overly dependent on a parent
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Has a sibling who has had significant problems with social or community adjustments
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Is insecure and does not trust adults
A child may live in one of the following situations:
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A single-parent or no-parent home where the parent/guardian has legal custody
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A family situation where one or both parents/guardians are mentally or physically disabled
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A two-parent family experiencing crisis-related stress
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A foster home where the child is in the care of a legal guardian
A child may not be accepted if:
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Contact with the child's parent is frequent, consistent, and appropriate
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The child receives adequate contact or role modeling from another source on a regular basis
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The child's problems are so severe that services from a volunteer mentor are inappropriate or inadequate
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The parent/guardian is unwilling to give their consent for the child to participate
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The child is unwilling to participate
Parent Expectations
Here are the expectations BFLF holds for parents whose child is approved and enrolled in community-based mentoring:
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Communicate with the Big Friend to schedule match outings
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Ensure their child is dressed appropriately for the match outing
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Talk to the child about the child's time with their Big Friend
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Provide adequate money for outings
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Be flexible about family plans to accommodate the match relationship
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Will not use restriction from seeing their Big as punishment
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Contact the Big Friend immediately if an outing needs to be rescheduled
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Contact BFLF staff each month for match support
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Will not ask the Big Friend to babysit
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Will not send additional children (siblings, cousins, etc.) with their approved child for match outings