About Us

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Arkansas connects volunteers with children through a one-to-one mentoring program.

Community-Based Mentoring Program

In the Community-Based Mentoring Program, children are matched with a volunteer and the two spend time together in the community doing activities they both enjoy, such as going to the park or the movies, playing sports of video games, baking, etc. Matches spend approximately 8-12 hours per month together on a schedule that works for them.

School-Based Mentoring Program: BIGS in School

In the School-Based Mentoring Program, children confronting academic or social difficulty are matched with adult volunteers who spend at least one hour per week with them in a school setting.

Through the special friendship that grows between the adult and child, personal growth occurs. Volunteers enjoy the rewards of knowing they have made an impact in a young person's life.

High School-Based Mentoring Program: BIGS in School
In Newport and Batesville, we also have a High School Bigs program. We match High School students with younger students. They meet once a week in the school setting.

BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS:

Big Brothers and Big Sisters are adults who enjoy spending time with children. They must be a least 18 years old, mature and stable as determined by professional staff assessment.

LITTLE BROTHERS AND LITTLE SISTERS:

Little Brothers and Sisters are youth who have been identified as youth who are at risk of academic or social failure. However, they may also simply benefit from the extra attention that a volunteer mentor can offer. Parents may contact BBBS director or the childs teacher may refer students to a school liaison who works with Big Brother Big Sister professional staff to serve the student.

COST

There is no fee either volunteers or students to participate in the program.

THE MATCH PROCESS

Matches between student and volunteer are made on the basis of similarity of interests, the needs of the students, the strengths of the volunteer, and parental preference. Matches are supported by regular phone and in-person contacts by agency professional staff.

THE NEED

Did you know Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Central Arkansas was started because of a growing need to provide a service to children from single-parent homes in our community. It has been documented that children from single-parent families are at a greater risk to negative influences that are children with both parents present in the home.

CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE IN BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ARE:

• 46% Less Likely to begin Using Illegal Drugs
• 27% Less Likely to begin Using Alcohol
• 53% Less Likely to Skip School
• 37% Less Likely to Skip Class
• More Confident of the Schoolwork
• 33% Less Likely to Hit Someone
• Getting Along Better With Their Families!