Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin has been a proud youth-serving organization in the greater Green Bay area since 1972. Throughout 50 years of serving youth, BBBSNEW has supported countless children whose lives are transformed through one-to-one mentoring.
DEFEND POTENTIAL
Big Brothers Big Sisters is working to clear the path to a child’s biggest possible future. Research shows that youth matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters’ programs are more likely to attend and to enroll in college, participate in sports and other extracurricular activities, take leadership roles in school and to regularly volunteer in their communities
It’s the consistent presence of a caring adult in a young person’s life.
Mentors can help shape a child’s future for the better by empowering them to achieve. And the best part is, being a Big is actually a lot of fun.
Take the first step towards becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister by completing the Mentor Inquiry Form. Each step in the process moves you closer to standing with us as a Defender of Potential.
Step 1. Mentor Inquiry form Mentor Inquiry Form
This let’s us know your name and contact info and a bit more about your interests. (form is not compatible with Internet Explorer)
Step 2. Brown County: Schedule Your Info Session Schedule Your Session Now
This is your chance to meet us and learn details about what it takes to be a Big. There are public info sessions scheduled twice a month. Check the “Schedule your session now” button to see current times and dates. We can also schedule another time just to fit your schedule too.
Door County: Schedule Your Session
This is your chance to meet us and learn details about what it takes to be a big. For information on the
next Door County Info. Session please contact Patty O’Rourke at: pattyo@bbbsnew.org
Shawano County: Schedule Your Session
This is your chance to meet us and learn details about what it takes to be a big. For information on the
next Shawano County Info. Session please contact Karen Braun at: karenb@bbbsnew.org
Pulaski (Brown County): Schedule Your Session
This is your chance to meet us and learn details about what it takes to be a big. For information on the
next Pulaski Info. Session please contact Sarah Kubiak at: sarahk@bbbsnew.org
Step 3. Complete an Application
The online application link will be emailed once the Mentor Inquiry Form is complete. A paper application is available for those who would prefer that. We recommend attending an Info Session prior to completing the application.
Step 4. Volunteer Interview
The interview will help us learn more about you and who would make a good Little for you. Applicants will schedule this with a program specialist after attending the Info Session. The interview will help us learn more about you and who would make a good Little for you. Applicants will schedule this with a program specialist after attending the Info Session.
Step 5. Volunteer Training
Learn the essentials for being a great Big Brother or Big Sister. This will be completed online through links provided by a program specialist.
Match Meeting and Beyond
The match meeting will introduce you to your Little and their parents or guardians. Afterwards, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin works hard to support the relationship you have with your Little.
JOIN OUR MOVEMENT
WANT MORE INFORMATION? Come see us! We host information sessions almost every week at our main office in Green Bay.
Tuesdays from 5:30 – 6 p.m.
Or, set up an individual information session. Contact Jeanne Jauquet, Customer Relations Specialist, at 920-498-2227 or jeannej@bbbsnew.org
Step 1. Mentor Inquiry form Mentor Inquiry Form
This let’s us know your name and contact info and a bit more about your interests.
Step 2. Schedule Your Info Session Schedule Your Session Now
This is your chance to meet us and learn details about what it takes to be a Big. A public info session is held each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. We can schedule another time just to fit your schedule too.
OUR PROGRAMS
As a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple, you will have the opportunity to help shape a child’s future for the better by empowering them to achieve.
You and your Little Brother or Sister can share the kinds of activities you already like to do. Enjoy your experience as a Big Brother or Sister, as an individual, or with your spouse as a Big Couple. You can make a difference in the life of a child at any age or stage of your life.
COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING
SITE-BASED MENTORING
THE BIG CLUB
SIX-TWELVE MENTORING
TRANSITIONS TO SUCCESS
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL
BIGS WITH BADGES
COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING
Mentors must be age 18 or older and make a 1-year commitment. Community-based mentors:
- meets at least 2 times per month with their Littles
- includes low- to no-cost activities in the community – such as going to the library, park, etc.
Mentors will have direct contact with the parent to arrange your meetings. The meeting schedule can be regular, like every Tuesday or Saturday, or more sporadic, just as long as the time together is consistent.
Special events offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters like our holiday party and summer picnic turn into traditions for some matches. REACH activities and special event tickets can be fun activities too.
SITE-BASED MENTORING
Site-based mentoring is open to volunteers who are age 18 and older.
There are certain exceptions where high school students age 14 and older may be a mentor to a child in elementary and middle school. Currently, Big Brothers Big Sisters has programs for high school mentors in Southern Door County, Denmark School District, Howard-Suamico School District and Pulaski Community School District.
Big Brothers Big Sisters can match mentors at site-based locations in all Green Bay public schools and some private schools, and many surrounding communities including Howard-Suamico, Ashwaubenon, De Pere, Pulaski, Shawano and Door County schools.
Site-based mentors:
- meet at area schools and the locations such as the YMCA or Boys & Girls Clubs
- meet for about an hour, usually at breakfast, lunch or after school, only during the school year
- bring a bag lunch and your Little gets either hot lunch or brings his/her own. You have a designated area to meet where you will have some privacy, not in a big lunch room.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a bin of activities at each site, like board games and coloring books. Mentors also may bring their own activities, such as crafts. Many sites also allow for use of the gymnasium if you want to shoot hoops or go to the playground to get some air and enjoy the outdoors.
Matches do not meet outside of school and there is no contact outside of the school setting or with the Little’s guardian. Matches may only meet outside of school at activities organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters where the Little is transported separately.
THE BIG CLUB
Do you want a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience unlike any other? Give the invaluable gift of your friendship and become a Big Brother or Big Sister today!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin (BBBSNEW) and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay-West Side Branch (BGCGGB) have launched a brand new mentoring initiative: The Big Club. This collaborative, group mentoring program matches volunteer mentors (Bigs) to children in need of a positive role model (Littles). Bigs meet regularly with their Littles on-site at BGCGGB and will provide guidance, develop a friendship, and model positive behavior.
Why do we need The Big Club? Youth who grow up in disadvantaged communities face challenges that their peers with more resources do not. Without additional support and intervention, these youth are more likely to struggle with education or get involved in negative behaviors. Having a caring, adult role model is a key protective factor in helping youth build their resiliency.
Volunteer Description
- Volunteer mentors will meet with a small group (2-3 youth) two times a month in a structured setting.
- Meetings will be held on the first and third Thursday of the month from 4:00-5:00 pm at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay-West Side Clubhouse.
- A one-year commitment is required.
- Volunteer Bigs must complete the standard BBBSNEW screening and enrollment process:
- All Bigs must complete a 30-minute Volunteer Information Session webinar.
- All Bigs must complete an online application with references and an in-person interview
- All Bigs must complete a background check and agree to BBBSNEW Volunteer Code of Conduct.
Contact Shantell Ekdahl at shantelle@bbbsnew.org or by phone or text at (920) 615-9311 to schedule a Volunteer Information Session webinar.
SIX-TWELVE MENTORING
Mentors must be age 18 and older. Six-Twelve Mentoring is a collaborative mentoring initiative lead by the Graduation Task Force of Achieve Brown County to improve graduation rates in Brown County. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of multiple youth-focused partner agencies and school districts working together to change outcomes for children. Data shows there are more than 6,000 students in Brown County at risk of not graduating. Mentoring is one way we can help change the path those students are on and create success.
Children who enter the Six-Twelve Mentoring program are screened by schools using a formula that considers their attendance, achievement, behavior and mobility. The participating schools then determine if mentoring is the right fit for them. Children then are asked to participate and also enter the program willingly.
Six-Twelve mentoring matches can be community-based or site-based. The Littles participating at this time will only be enrolled at test school sites including:
- Bay Port High School
- Denmark Middle School
- Preble High School
- Green Bay Area School District middle schools
- Ashwaubenon School District middle schools
TRANSITIONS TO SUCCESS
Mentors must be 18 years of age and older. Transitions to Success is a collaboration of agencies that work with foster youth, youth who were formerly in out-of-home placement, and other disengaged youth and young adults. This program focuses on youth/young adults 15 ½ through 24 years of age.
Mentors need to be a consistent, positive presence in the life of a youth/young adult and assist them with independent living skills. This could include:
• Education – High School, Post-Secondary Training
• Job readiness and employment
• Connections to the Community
• Self-sufficiency
Mentors provide long term guidance to youth/young adults in areas of household management, budgeting, employment skills, secondary education and obtaining knowledge of community resources.
Training and on-going support will be provided.
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL
Mentors must be at least 18 years of age and part of an organization in which multiple volunteers provide mentoring support to a specific school, and potentially additional support beyond mentoring.
Adopt-A-School is an effort to expand site-based mentoring programs to children in our community through neighborhood resources. BBBSNEW partners with your organization to recruit volunteers to meet a great need for mentors. Volunteer mentors from your organization meet with their Little at the school one hour a week during the school year only. (Mentors also may choose to meet with their Little outside of school as a Community-based match throughout the year.)
As employees become more familiar with their Littles, and are visiting the school on a regular basis, organizations may be motivated to support other needs that benefit the entire student body.
To learn more about corporate opportunities, contact Brehanna Skaletski, Development Director, at 920-489-3513 or brehannas@bbbsnew.org.
Training and on-going support will be provided.
BIGS WITH BADGES
Bigs with Badges is a one-to-one mentoring program that connects youth with police in communities throughout our nation, building strong, trusting, lasting relationships. These relationships can help children develop into confident adults and help build stronger bonds between law enforcement and the families they serve. We are pleased to roll out this initiative across the nation and looking for your support.