“My Little Sister is smart, funny, caring and makes me smile at every outing.”

Services

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides volunteer mentors to children who need or want one. We do this in four ways:

Community Based Mentoring matches volunteers, who we call "Bigs", ages 21 or older, (no upper age limit!) with children, who we call "Littles", ages 4 to 18 years old. Bigs and Littles share little moments which create Big Magic in the the lives of both! The Big and Little get together one-to-one once a week for about 2-4 hours each time. During these unstructured outings they cultivate relationships that provide children with skills to manage every day challenges. Through simple friendship, Bigs experience the joy of helping children discover a world of possibilities and opportunities.They do fun, free, low cost activities like playing at a park, shooting hoops, sharing some laughs, playing or watching sports, or sharing hobbies.

Bigs In Schools Volunteers, who are adults or teens at least 15 years old, provide Littles with one-on-one time and attention in their schools, typically once a week for an hour during the academic year. Teachers identify children who can benefit most from interaction with a caring friend. As their friendships evolve, volunteers and children discover ways to make school and learning fun. Bigs and Littles can share lunch, play games, shoot hoops, use the computer lab or library. Be a kid again and see the world from a child's eyes!

Partners Matches enables married couples to team up and be paired with a Little Brother in our community based program. Weekly visits can include one spouse or both, depending on who's available each week. This gives everyone lots of flexibility.

Reaching for the Stars matches children who have or had a parent or important family member in prison with a volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister, either through the Community Based Mentoring Program or Bigs in Schools or Partners. Nevada has the highest rate of incarceration in the western region of the US, the 11th highest in the nation. Children who have a parent in prison are 70% more likely to go to prison themselves, unless they have someone like a Big Brother or Big Sister in their lives. Children with two parents in prison are 90% more likely to go to prison, again, unless they are matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has a Resource Specialist who can assist you in many ways. She can find resources in the community that may be helpful to you and your family. This help with:

· Substance Abuse
· Camps & Clubs
· Clothing
· Counseling
· Disability Resources
· Education
· Food
· Health, Medical & Dental
· Relationships & Family Support
· Senior Living
· Tutoring
· Utilities & Housing
· Employment

Please contact us at 352-3202 and let us know how we can assist you.

Teens Against Tobacco Use- Leadership program for youth ages 11-18. Call us at 352-3202 for more information.