Bigs and Littles have a lot of fun together. It could be a Pirates game or a hike. Shooting hoops, working on a school project or doing yard work. Even hanging out and just talking.
It’s really not important what you do. Frankly, we think free and low-cost activities are the most fun. What’s most important is that you’re a friend they can count on. Someone to share the little moments that spark imagination, delight and wonder.
Some volunteers have more time than others. That’s why we’ve developed two different core mentoring programs. One of them is probably right for you and your schedule.
• Community-based – Build a long-term friendship with a child by becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister, or a Big Couple (twice a month, 3-5 hours at a time).
• Site-based – Develop a friendship and help tutor a child at his/her school or other site such as a community center (about an hour per week – on-site – during the school year and maintain communication during the summer).
In the Community-based Program, BBBS volunteers provide children and youth – our “Littles” - individualized time and attention on a regular basis, typically two to four times a month, for three to five hours. During unstructured weekly or bi-weekly outings, filled with conversations and shared activities, they develop a relationship that helps youth manage the every day challenges that are part of “growing up.” During the time with their Big, children gain new skills, explore new interests and test behaviors that expand their experience base beyond their family or neighborhood.
Over the course of time, children gain confidence in themselves, acquire new skills and competencies, and develop an enhanced capacity to care for others – all tasks that are a part of developing healthy maturity. Volunteers experience a sense of discovery and enjoyment as they see the world of possibility open up through the child’s eyes. An evaluation tool, The Program-based Outcome Evaluation Instrument (POE), demonstrates positive outcomes for children in the program.
In the Site-based Program , volunteers offer children individualized time and attention on a consistent basis, with the venue being the child’s school rather than the community. Teachers identify those children who can most benefit from an extra caring adult in their lives. Volunteers and children meet regularly during the school year – each week for about an hour – utilizing the resources available within the school: computer labs, the library, the gym, a classroom, or the schoolyard.
Whether they play board games, or read the newspaper together, their relationship promotes a positive school experience for the child: good attendance, positive peer and adult relationships, a positive attitude, and academic enrichment. As their friendship evolves over time, volunteers and children discover ways to make school and learning fun.
When matches continue from one school year to the next, volunteers experience the satisfaction of watching their Littles achieve success in school. During the summer hiatus, they may exchange letters, email messages or phone calls, or attend an agency-sponsored event. However, with parent permission and some additional paperwork, school-based matches are permitted to get together for non-supervised match activities outside of the school grounds and throughout the entire year.
Be a 6th Grade Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh is the United Way’s largest agency partner in this exciting mentoring initiative that seeks to provide mentors to 6th grade students in Pittsburgh Public Schools. We will be working with volunteers in the 2009 – 2010 school year at the schools that are highlighted below. If you would like to apply to become a mentor in this or any of our other Site Based Programs click here.
2008-2009 Mentoring Sites (by school)
| School |
Location |
| Arsenal Middle School (PPS) |
Lawrenceville |
| Carmichaels Elementary (CSD) |
Greene County |
| Carrick High School (PPS) |
South Side - American Eagle |
| Classical Academy (PPS) |
Wabash |
| Cornell Elementary (CSD) |
Coraopolis |
| Dorseyville Middle School (FCSD) |
O’Hara Twp. |
| Fulton Elementary (PPS) |
Highland Park |
| Grandview Elementary (HSD) |
Tarentum |
| Heights Elementary (HSD) |
Natrona Heights/Tarentum/Bracken |
| Hill House Association |
Center Avenue-Hill District |
| Jefferson Morgan Elementary (JMSD) |
Greene County |
| Kerr Elementary (FCSD) |
O’Hara Twp. |
| Mooncrest After School Program |
Moon Twp. |
| Northside Urban Pathways |
Cultural District Downtown |
| O'Hara Elementary (FCSD) |
O'Hara Twp. |
| Schiller Classical Academy (PPS) |
Troy Hill |
| South Hills Middle School (PPS) |
South Hills |
| Sto-Rox Middle School (SRSD) |
McKees Rocks |
| Trinity West Elementary School (TSD) |
Washington County |
| Washington Park Middle School (WSD) |
Washington County |
For more information about Be a 6th grade mentor click here. |
