Opportunities From: VolunteerME Mid Coast Maine

We are currently seeking mentors for the 2021-2022 academic year. In the School Program, Bigs meet with their Littles typically for 45-60 minutes the same day and time once per week at a local elementary or middle school. School-Based Mentors are volunteers from area businesses, high school and college students, and community members. This is a minimum of one school-year commitment, and there is no contact with the child outside of the school. During their time together, school-based matches engage in a number of activities that include academic support, playing board or card games, creating a craft or art project, reading a book together, taking part in a group activity or simply talking and listening. Children who participate in the program have been identified by guidance counselors, teachers and parents as in need of extra one-on-one attention due to reasons such as poor academic performance, classroom behavior and low self esteem. The consistent presence of a caring older friend and positive role model can have a significant impact on a child! 

There are currently 20 children on the waiting list for the right match with a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple. Some children wait as long as 2 years for a compatible match with a mentor. Please contact us to get involved in starting something great for a child in your community! In the Community Program, Bigs spend 8-12 hours or 2-4 visits per month with their Littles, and commit at least one year to developing a relationship. This program offers flexibility to share a variety of activities with a child during times that fit into your schedule. Bigs in our Community Program are adults, 18 and older, who volunteer to spend some time each month mentoring a child. Our Bigs demonstrate stability, responsibility, and dependability. The role of the Big is to be a friend, not a surrogate parent, entertainer or babysitter. Bigs help their Littles expand their horizons, improve their ability to think and learn, develop new relationships, go to new places, learn about being a good person and valuable member of society, and perhaps most importantly, have fun doing it. Our Littles are children between the ages of 6 through 18 who are facing adversity. Typically, either a parent or school representative makes a request for the child to have a mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters strives to serve the children who need us most, including those living in single parent homes, growing up in poverty and coping with parental incarceration. All Littles and their parent/guardian have expressed a desire to have a mentor. Matches are created according to similar interests, compatible personality traits, and the needs of children, volunteers, and their families. Together matches spend time enjoying activities that might include walking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowshoeing, sledding, boating, seeing a movie, creating a craft or art project, preparing a meal, volunteering, and more! Become friends with a child and the opportunities to have fun and make a difference are endless.

Want to support children in need and have a great time? Join with fellow community members, the Board of Directors, and staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick for one of our three major annual fundraisers! All proceeds from our fundraisers directly support Community, School, and Site-Based mentoring programs. "Bowl For Kids Sake" is our largest annual event, which takes place in the spring each year. Participants join with co-workers, family, and friends in a team of four bowlers to raise pledges in support of mentoring programs for children living in your community. This is a unique team building opportunity for an organization or company, and a great way to spend time with friends and family. "The Big Swing" Charity Golf Tournament takes place each fall. Teams of four golfers enjoy 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, awards, giveaways and a silent and live auction. We offer Mulligans and Strings to purchase, raffle items to win, Straightest Drive and Putting Contest. The agency's final annual fundraiser is a "Big Awards Party" in December, honoring businesses and individuals who support our community's youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. 

Our Board of Directors support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick by setting the long-term strategic direction of the agency, raising and allocating resources, setting policies for operation, and employing/supervising the Executive Director. Our Board meets a minimum of 6 times per year. Board Members actively participate in one/two committees, attend and participate in agency events, support volunteer recruitment, participate actively in Board decisions and carry out all delegated assignments. Board participation requires about 10 hours of volunteer time each month. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick's Board of Directors provides a crucial role in the agency's success. The time and talent of our board volunteers provide the leadership and resources necessary to create a donor supported volunteer organization that has a significant impact on changing the lives of children in our community for the better, forever. Through their dedication and expertise our Board impacts the children, families and schools of Brunswick, Harpswell and all of Sagadahoc County by: Growing our agency while ensuring a broader, deeper mission impact; Enhancing community relationships; Strengthening results achieved by the Board through personal giving and raising dollars by Establishing a mission-based culture of philanthropy and fund development.