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School-Based Mentoring

Children are matched with a mentor who will build a relationship in the school setting. BFLF staff supports these matches by providing activities at each school for the Bigs and Littles to enjoy as well as checking in with mentors to get updates on the match.

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Having a special friend visit with you on a weekly basis is a healthy way to maintain positivity but more importantly to feel connected with a positive caring adult.

Becky Roth, LBW Principal

Little Friend Requirements

To receive services from the Big Friend Little Friend mentoring program, a child must: ​

  • Be enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade. 

  • Attend a school in the Mitchell community. 

  • Have a desire to participate in the program. 

  • Receive parent/guardian consent to participate. 

  • 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: 

  • Has poor self-esteem​

  • Culturally and/or economically disadvantaged 

  • Exhibits poor social skills

  • Has few friends his/her own age

  • Lacks adequate support and attention of a stable adult

  • Is an underachiever academically

  • Is overly dependent on a parent

  • Has a sibling who has had significant problems with social or community adjustments

  • Is insecure and does not trust adults
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A child may not be accepted if: 

  • Contact with the child's parent is frequent, consistent, and appropriate

  • The child receives adequate contact or role modeling from another source on a regular basis

  • The child's problems are so severe that services from a volunteer mentor are inappropriate or inadequate

  • The parent/guardian is unwilling to give their consent for the child to participate

  • The child is unwilling to participate

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Big Friend Requirements

Age: At least 18 years old

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Application Process:

  • Fully complete and submit Big Friend application

  • Provide four potential references

  • Schedule an in-person interview

  • Provide proof of a driver's license and auto insurance â€‹

*Final approval for all applications is dependent on the successful completion of a criminal background check 
 

Approved Big Friend Expectations

Time Commitment:

  • Mentor will meet with the Little once a week for at least one hour during the school year

  • Mentor will commit to mentoring for at least one year  ​​

Communication: 

  • Mentor will communicate with the BFLF office about how the match is going

  • Mentor will communicate with the Little's teacher if they are not going to be able to attend mentoring 

  • Mentor will work with the Little Friend to complete activities at the school both parties will enjoy

If you’d like more information about our School-Based Mentoring program, get in touch with us today!

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