Big Brothers & Big Sisters programs and volunteering?

Question

I was reading info about the BBBS program online today. I like helping people, and I think it might be fun to be a friend to someone in need. I love spending time with a family friends daughter, she is 11. We used to go shopping and just sit around the house and play video games. Now that her school started she is so busy.

My fiance is at work a lot of th time now. I thought about ways to pass the time, and volunteering would help others and myself feel good. Has anyone done the BBBS program? How was it and did you find it fullfilling?

I dont know about being dedicated to just one child, are there any other volunteer programs where you can just help out with events or help with children's activities. There are so many people and children out there who need help and a friend. I think it would be good to help people. I dont have a ton of time but I would like to volunteer sometime, a few hrs on the weekends.

I am 22 yrs old. My fiance and I are not ready to have children yet. If it makes sense, its almost like, I enjoy being around kids that are old enough to hold conservations, go to parks, play board games ect....but I dont want a child on a permanet basis yet. Would it be a good idea to try out BBBS? I would be nervous, what if I dont like doing it....

Answer 1

I think Big Brothers and Big Sisters should have experienced people who can answer these questions and give you the 411 on the whole program.

You should call them and discuss this in depth.

Answer 2

First, you should definitely call and talk to the social workers at BBBS and let them tell you about their particular program, and answer any questions you might have.

Also, ask to talk to other local volunteers and get their insight as to how the program is run.

Several years ago, I took on a "little sister" and although we got along very well, I felt that there were some issues with how the program managed our relationship.

You have to be very careful not to become a walking wallet to some little girl that just wants you to buy her toys and take her to McDonalds! Another problem is dealing with moms who might not be the most responsible. The mother in my case would get in a fight with her boyfriend, take the phone off the hook and I would have no way to get in touch with them for our weekly meetings!

You might want to start off on a smaller/less intense scale. Try and see if there is an organization in your area that coordinates volunteers to different groups, with varied time committments. That way you can experience what they do without making a committment that you are unable to keep.

Here is an example:

http://www.nycares.org/