Big Brothers and Big Sisters are adults that say "Yes, you can!" to a child. They are the grown-ups we’ve all known during our childhood who took the time to listen, believed in us, and encouraged us to try new things.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters are mentors who provide responsible friendship to boys and girls who need and want role models. Find out how your child or a child you know can benefit from having a positive adult friend:
- Eligibility...who we serve
- Why Big Brothers Big Sisters...how mentoring helps
- About our volunteers
- Enroll a child
Eligibility...who we serve
Big Brothers and Big Sisters provide caring and consistent friendships to more than 300 children a year who need that extra someone. And they do so with the support and guidance of our highly trained staff.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters serve as mentors to boys and girls who can benefit from a friendship with a caring adult role model. Children in the BBBS program:
- Live in Missoula County
- Are between the ages of 6-14
- Want to spend time with a Big Brother or Big Sister
- Agree to a minimum of a one-year time commitment
Why Big Brothers Big Sisters...how mentoring helps
Numerous national studies prove that Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors can make a tremendous, positive impact on children. Relative to their peers without Big Brothers or Big Sisters, Little Brothers and Sisters are:
- 53% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class
- 33% less likely to hit someone
- 46% less likely to start using drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- more confident in their school work
- better able to get along with their family
About our volunteers
Site-Based Big Brothers and Big Sisters are at least 16 years old and provide fun and friendship on a weekly basis in a supervised setting at the following schools: Franklin Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, Lewis & Clark Elementary, Russell Elementary and Porter Middle School.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters in our Community Program are at least 19 years old and provide fun and friendship on a weekly basis for a minimum of a calendar year.
Every Big/Little match spends quality time together while enjoying recreational, cultural and educational activities.
All of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters are thoroughly screened by our professional staff through:
- A criminal background and driving record check
- A thorough, one-to-one interview with a BBBS staff member
- Personal reference checks
Additionally, no volunteer is ever matched with a child without the approval of the child’s parent or guardian.
Enroll a child...
Enrolling your own child or referring a child you know to our program is safe and easy. All information you share with us is confidentail. Once yoru request is received, a member of our staff will call you and help you find out if this is the right program for your child.
We accept referrals from grandparents, teachers, counselors, and other concerned individuals, but enrollment in our program requires the approval and participation of a child's parent or legal guardian.
Click the "Enroll a Child" button above to download an application and/or call 406-721-2380.