Raising a family alone can be an awesome responsibility for a mom or a dad. Being the sole provider, a parent and a supportive friend to one or more children is a tall order for anyone. The risks are high, and the pressure can be overwhelming. Our programs help with that. We thought you'd like to meet a few people who are part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters process before we get started, and learn our terminology.
The Little
A Little is a boy or girl who needs an extra boost. Contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee normally begins between the ages of 6 and 12... a time when they are starting to get in touch with the outside world. Children entering our program that are six years old must be in first grade. Older children entering our program must be less than 16 years old.
Childhood is a rapid transition, requiring lots of time, attention, direction and assurance. It´s very hard for one parent to meet all of these needs. Our children, just like our volunteers, come from all backgrounds and demographics. The only common thread is that they can benefit from an additional positive adult role model in their lives.
The Big
A volunteer Big is a man or woman who has a sincere, responsible desire to help a child develop into a confident, caring adult, through friendship and fun. Bigs come from all walks of life with different backgrounds, experiences and neighborhoods... just like Littles. The Bigs have decided that they want to make a difference in a child's life... possibly your child's life... by volunteering to spend time with a child in a mentoring relationship. If you think back to your own childhood, there is probably one adult who comes to mind that was really impacted your future, simply by being there. That's the nature of the Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship.
The Match
A "match" is an active, one-to-one friendship. The Big and Little share 1 to 2 hours of casual time every week, participating in all sorts of things. Their activities range from big events like attending a first baseball game or symphony concert, to just being together and talking about their day. It is through this one-to-one relationship that children are proven to do better in school, pursue new goals, and enjoy a better future.
