You can support our agency and the children in our community by volunteering in a variety of ways. Executive Director peggy Martin peggy@bigsofnc.org 530-587-7717 Lindy Schasiepen, events and donor relations events@bigsofnc.org
BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER
Our goal is to promote the positive development of at-risk children and youth, primarily from low-income, single-parent families, by matching them with mature, responsible, and productive individuals. These individuals offer support to the children’s growth and development through a nurturing relationship, leading to greater self-esteem.
Who and what is a Big?
Our agency matches children with carefully screened adult and older peer volunteers who serve as a Big Brother or Big Sister (“Big”). These Big Brothers and Big Sisters are stable and mature individuals who have demonstrated responsibility and dependability. In most cases, matches are paired according to the same-gender (i.e., men are matched with boys and women with girls). A Big Brother or Big Sister provides friendship, guidance, and support to a child (“Little”). They also provide individual attention and become a special friend, not mother or father substitutes.
Apply to be a Big
Take the Pre interview questionaire to see if you meet the requirements
Download the Volunteer Application to become a Big Brother or Big Sister:
and consent to get your. enrollment process started
Services to Littles
Mentoring services are provided free of charge to children who live in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County Service Area and who are between the ages of six and eighteen. The child’s desire to participate is critical to a successful match. Children and the parent/guardian are interviewed to help the Case Management staff learn of the child’s needs and interests. When the Case Manager believes he or she has a potential Big for a child, the parents/guardians will be contacted to discuss the Big. At this point the parents/guardians may choose to meet the Big to determine compatibility, or they may feel comfortable with making a match based on the Case Manager’s information. At the time of the match meeting, and after all parties have agreed to participate, personal information such as address and phone numbers are exchanged and the match can begin.
Local agencies and schools can refer a child ages 6-16. Referral form or download our Client application and consent form or our Spanish version of the Application and Community based consent form and Site based consent form to get the child’s enrollment process started
Support
Throughout the mentoring relationship, a supportive Case Manager will provide guidance and help in making the match a success. Every month for the first year of a match, a Case Manager will be in contact with the child and parent/guardian, as well as the Big Brother or Big Sister, to find out how the match is progressing and if there are any problems or concerns. The Case Manager, however, is available to the participating children, families, and Bigs at any time during the match and they are strongly encouraged to call and seek assistance concerning the match.
PROGRAMS
Serving Western Nevada County, Colfax and Auburn, Truckee and North Lake Tahoe areas
Community-Based Mentoring – .The matched Big and Little usually see each other 3 to 4 times a month for at least one year. These matches can last officially in the agency until the Little Brothers or Little Sisters reach eighteen or move away. Bigs and Littles spend quality time together doing common interest activities that are of low- to no-cost. The focus is not on spending money, but on spending time together. A Big and Little might play soccer, start a collection, build a model, plant a garden, go fishing, make a meal, explore the community, etc. The unique one-to-one relationship grows during the match and helps the Little become more and more confident and secure.
Site-Based Mentoring – The matched Big and Little usually see each for one hour each week at the child’s school or other designated site for at least one year. These matches can last officially in the agency until the Little Brothers or Little Sisters graduate high school. Bigs and Littles spend quality time together doing common interest activities at the school or other site. The focus is on spending time together. Big and Littles might play sports, play board games, write poems, read together, start a collection, do activities on the computer, or do art projects together, etc. Like in the community-based program, the unique one-to-one relationship grows during the match and helps the Little become more and more confident and secure.
The Pal Program has been a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County & North Lake Tahoe for over 15 years. A Big Pal provides friendship, guidance, and support to a child, Little Pal. Little Pals are referred by school counselors and teachers.
The Bigs and Littles see each other for about one hour each week at the school site for the entire school year. Bigs and Littles spend quality time together doing common-interest activities at the school site as well as tutoring if needed. The focus is on spending time together. The unique one-to-one relationship grows during the match and helps the Little Pal become more self-confident and secure, developing social and academic confidence.
Currently the Pal Program is held at Scotten elementary, Gilmore Middle, Grass Valley Charter, and 7 Hills middle schools. This year we expanded to Colfax elementary thanks to a grant from the Placer Community Foundation. Our Bigs are recruited from Nevada Union, Bear River, Forest Charter, Northpoint Academy and Colfax High Schools.
High Lights
Bigs in Blue
Police officers who wish to participate in the program meet with their Littles one hour a week while on duty and do various fun activities of their choosing in the community.
Chief of Police Robert Leftwhich said “BBBS has been a pivotal partner for us in the community. They have always thanked us for our officers taking part in the program but it really is us who should be thanking them. BBBS has done so much to reward us with a “Big” experience and helped us connect with the community in a truly genuine way.”
The staff at BBBSNC will manage the matches. Police officers who indicate an interest in becoming a mentor will apply, be interviewed and then teamed with a Little, just like any other volunteer who comes through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Once a match is made, Big Brothers Big Sisters will continue to offer support, providing a professional staff member who will help the Big and the Little grow together in friendship.
Site Based Program @ Boys & Girls Club
Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to match high school volunteers from Squaw Valley Academy to be mentors to individual Club members. Mentor matches meet weekly at the Club with their mentee one-on-one for 60 minutes on a weekday afternoon for a year. Mentors and members engage in a variety of activities in group settings, such as playing games and sports, doing homework and art projects, and sharing general life experiences.. Download a high school application here or email brenda@bigsofnc.org.
Apply to be a Big
Download the Volunteer Application to become a Big Brother or Big Sister:
Big Brother/Big Sister Volunteer Application
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
Volunteer on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors or local committee!
The Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County meets one night every other month. Additional meetings are required for committees. The responsibility of the Board of Directors is to oversee the operations of the agency. This involves setting policy and fundraising. Advocating for the agency is also a part of the Board’s responsibilities.
To learn more about the Board of Directors, we invite you to join one of our meetings. Contact Peggy at 530-587-7717 or director@bigsofnc.org to find out when our next meeting is.
Truckee/North Lake Tahoe Area or Grass Valley Committee– Serve on our Community Engagement Council. We are looking for leaders that want to help spread the word about BBBBS, help with events, outreach and marketing but not have to serve on the board. It’s a great way to get involved! Meets on the off months of the board meetings, 6 times a year and additional for events. Call Peggy at 530-587-7717
Help us at one of our events
We have several fundraising events throughout the year and can always use help with the logistics – whether it be help coordinating the event, getting the word out about the event, or being at the event to give a helping hand. Click on “Events” tab for details on upcoming events and to see if you would like to help out with any of them. events@bigsofnc.org
Help us in the office
Additional office help is always welcome! We often need help with mailings that need to be folded and labels attached, or with data entry and other computer-based tasks.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra 
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