Parents and Guardians can enroll their children onto our Waiting List for the Big Brother and Big Sister program, and for the Big Bunch Program provided that the eligibility criteria is met. One of the most important criteria - is that the child want a mentor.
Beginning at your initial intake, a Caseworker will discuss your family situation and child's need for a mentor as well as which program is available for consideration. After an application is returned to our office, we conduct an interview with both parent/guardian and the child. We find out about the child's personality, interests, and needs at that time so that we are able to find the most suitable mentor possible.
After the interview, there is a mandatory Child Safety Program that parents/guardians and the children must attend and demonstrate an understanding of, prior to being accepted onto our Waiting List.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters will then assign a Caseworker and attempt to provide Agency resources and programming, such as the Big Buddy program, while the child is waiting for a match. We do not match children in sequential order - but rather by needs, interests, and suitability in order that we create friendships which have a strong foundation to become nurturing and positive experiences for both the Big and the Little. Therefore, unfortunately we are unable to determine waiting times.
Once we have found a volunteer for a child, the parent/guardian will be contacted to discuss a potential match. Volunteers commit to a minimum of one year with a child, but depending on the relationship, many matches stay together for longer. We can keep a child's match open with our Agency until they turn 19!
AT A GLANCE:
- The minimum age of acceptance is 7 years old
- The maximum age of acceptance varies within programs (12-15 years)
- Children may wait for a match until they are between 15-17 years old, depending on the program.
- Families must live within the City of Winnipeg
Please Call our Office at 988-9200 for more information!