The Community Based Program matches Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and Big Couples to children who are in need of additional support and guidance.  In the Community Based Program a Big is able to pick up their Little Brother or Little Sister and take them to the movies, the park, Big Brother Big Sister Group Activities, the pool, and many other places in the local area as long as it is okay with the parent and falls under the agency rules.  The main goal of the relationship is FRIENDSHIP.  Volunteers and clients must meet the following requirements:
 

Volunteer Criteria 19 years of age or older Car and valid drivers license Able to see a "Little" twice a month for 3-4 hours a visit Ability to make a one year commitment (matches are evaluated and can continue beyond one year) If applying to the Couples Matching Program, couple must be married at least one year

Client Criteria 6-14 years of age (once matched, can stay in the program until age 18) A desire to develop a friendship with an adult volunteer Reside in a single parent home from: Cabell or Wayne County in West Virginia Boyd or Greenup County in Kentucky Lawrence County in Ohio

Screening Process:
For the safety of the children that we serve, all volunteer applicants must complete an application and go through a thorough screening process which includes an orientation/interview with a member of the BBBS staff at the applicant’s home, references and criminal background checks. If accepted they must attend a brief mandatory training before being paired with a child that they can help to choose.  Most applicants can be paired up within a month of submitting their application.

Client applicants are referred by their parent, their teacher, or a counselor.  Every child and parent is willing to participate in the program.  They complete an application and have an in-home interview to determine eligibility.

It should be noted that the children that we serve are simply kids in need of role models: they are not children who are in severe trouble or with severe emotional/behavioral disorders.  Other than the training provided and the guidance of a Case Manager, volunteers do not need special skills or extensive training to be a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple.  They simply need a desire to befriend a child!
Bigs and Littles are matched based on their preferences, needs, interests, and hobbies that are determined during the interview/screening process and pairings can occur in the following ways:
Big Brothers to Little Brothers
Big Sisters to Little Sisters
Big Sisters to Little Brothers
Big Couples to a Little Brother or a Little Sister
Matches are assigned a Case Manager to be available for supervision, support, helpful hints and guidance throughout the match relationship.
All matches receive a monthly newsletter and are invited to fun group activities sponsored by the agency and these events are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles in the program!