Being a Big Sister with Big Brothers and Big Sisters is something that means a lot to me and something that I'll always do.
In 1997, when I was 20, I went to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Big Bend and signed up to become a Big Sister (this was when I lived in Tallahassee, FL). I was matched with a 13-year old who's now 23. She's like a family member now. She got married in 2006 and I performed her Wedding Ceremony (I'm a Notary Public)....this isn't something I was planning to do though....it was my first time doing it. She was supposed to have a Civil Ceremony and then a Reception, but she ended up missing her Civil Ceremony Court appt. and I ended up coming to the rescue. So instead of only traveling to Tallahassee to set up and attend her Reception, I had to do "the official thing" too LOL
Fast forward to 2004! I moved to Pompano Beach, FL in April of 2003 from Tallahassee (after living there for 14 years). Since my first "Little Sister" was now an Adult, it was time for me to find another "Little Sister" to mentor, so I went to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Broward and started the process again. In April of 2004, I was matched with an 8-year old who's now 11. My Husband is also involved as a volunteer. When I met him in November of 2003, I introduced him to Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He was matched with a 14-year old boy who's now 17. When we got married in October of 2005, my Little Sister (the youngest one) was one of the Flower Girls and his Little Brother was one of the Groomsmen.
For those of you who might have considered being a Big Brother or Big Sister and hesitated because you thought you just wouldn't have time to do it, then think again. Sure, we're all busy, but spending time with your Little Sister or Little Brother isn't as difficult as you might think. Little Brothers and Little Sisters simply want guidance and someone to spend time with. Not every activity has to be something elaborate. Think of the "everyday" things that you do and there are many ways to involve them...movies, helping them with homework, going to the Library, going to Parks, going to the Zoo, Museums, sports activities, hanging out at home watching movies, reading books together, going Horseback riding, cooking together, and the list goes on.
From 1995 - 2006, I always worked a full-time "desk job", but I still found time to mentor...mostly on weekends. As a Realtor, I now have a more flexible schedule which allows me to go to my Little Sister's school during the day for various events or just to stop by and have lunch with her. I don't have kids, so some might say that it's easier for me to mentor, BUT I know couples that have kids and they are Big Brothers and Big Sisters whose Little Brothers and Little Sisters feel like family members and they include them right along with their kids' and family's activities.
At more than 100 years old, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America is the nation's oldest and largest one-on-mentoring service. Kids in the program typically range in age from 6-18 (some local chapters start their minimum age at 8 though...I know it was that way in Tallahassee). Parents and Guardians are the ones that enter their kids into the program. Many of the "Littles" are from single parent families but not all of them are. Also, some families have more than one child in the program (my "Little" and one of her Sisters are both matched with Big Sisters). When Big Brothers and Big Sisters completes the application and background screening process, the match process then begins to get you matched with a Little Brother or Little Sister. Women are matched with Little Sisters and Men are matched with Little Brothers. On your application, you can state an age preference for your "Little" and they attempt to match you as closely as possible to a "Little" that matches your stated age preference, as well as one that shares many of your same interests so far as activities.
After being matched, a weekly commitment of your time is expected and you, along with your "Little" and their Parent and/or Guardian schedule activities that fit best so far as your schedule, etc. After being matched for 6 months, your "Little" can visit overnight at your house. I do this a lot with my "Little"....usually on a Friday or Saturday night.
If you are interested in volunteering or if someone that you know is interested in volunteering, please contact your local office.
For South Florida, the offices are:
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Broward County
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Miami
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach
The National office is:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (on their site, you can do a search for your local branch by entering your zip code)
I've given you a brief overview of the basics. In addition to contacting your local branch, please e-mail me if you have any questions about becoming a Big Sister or Big Brother.
If you're local and you're already a Big Brother or Big Sister, I look forward to meeting you at a future event!
Let's give back and help the upcoming generation!
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Vickie ArcuriYour Ft. Lauderdale RealtorExit World Realty(954) 708-9309VArcuri@ExitWorldRealty.com FT. LAUDERDALE AREA HOMES FOR SALE
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Vickie, what a wonderful thing! You are very kind to give your time and mentor...I am also a notary and have married a handful of my friends, mostly for sunset weddings on the beach...