Give your child, or a child you know, the gift of a Big Sister—and a new friend. Youth development experts agree that, in addition to their parents, children need supportive, caring adults in their lives. Little Sisters and Little Brothers are children who have been given that advantage.

Through their friendship with a Big, Littles often discover a whole new world of experiences, opportunity, and potential. Being a Little can enhance the life of a child and have lifelong results. In fact, research confirms that the shared experiences between Bigs and Littles have a direct and lasting impact on young people's lives. “Mentoring is one of the most powerful means of intervention we have for at-risk youth,” says Dr. Jay Winsten, associate dean of Harvard’s School of Public Health. Studies show that mentoring programs can play a powerful role in reducing drug and alcohol abuse, youth violence, and dropout rates. They also enhance emotional health (Mentoring Programs Change LivesParade Magazine).

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in our program, a child must:

• Be between the ages of 7 and 15 (or 4 to 18 if the child has a parent/guardian who is incarcerated)
• Reside in Rhode Island
• Live in single-parent family, two-parent family, foster or group home placement
• Be at-risk and in need of an adult friend to offer guidance and support
• Be available to meet with a Mentor two to four times per month for at least one year
• Want to have a Mentor
• Want to participate in the program

 

The parent/guardian must:

• Be willing and capable of supporting the match relationship

 

How it Works

The Big Sisters agency works closely with parents and guardians to match every child with the right Mentor. Every volunteer is screened, trained, and supervised, and professionals in youth development support each match to help ensure that the relationship will be safe and rewarding for everyone involved. Here’s how it works.

Application/Referral: We accept referrals from teachers, grandparents, guidance counselors, neighbors, and other concerned individuals. However, enrollment in our program requires the approval and participation of a child's parent or legal guardian. To refer a child click here (you will be redirected to Big Brothers Big Sisters National Website and prompted for your Zip Code.)

Interview: Once we receive a referral, a program coordinator contacts the parent/guardian to answer any questions and schedule a home visit. She’ll meet with both the parent/guardian and the potential Little to learn about their personality, interests, and needs. This way the program coordinator can match the child with a Mentor who possesses strengths and interests that complement hers.

Acceptance Procedure: The program coordinator will contact any other social service agencies that may be involved with the family, especially the agency that referred the family. A release will be necessary. If the assessment determines that the program is appropriate for the child, the child will be accepted into the program.

The child will be placed on the waiting list. PLEASE NOTE: a child may be on our waiting list for a period of time depending on the number of volunteers enrolling in the program. Once a possible Mentor is identified, the program coordinator will tell the family about them.

Meeting Your Match: Parents and guardians have final approval over the Big Sister/Big Brother selection. If all parties are agreeable, a “Match Visit” will take place where the parent/guardian, child, mentor, and program coordinator sign contracts outlining their responsibilities for the duration of the match. This initial meeting takes place in the family’s home. Subsequent meetings typically take place in community settings.

Looking for more information?

Review answers to commonly asked questions in our FAQs, or call 401.921.2434 and ask to speak to one of our program coordinators.