All of our Volunteer Bigs live/work in Portage and Wood County. They are students, professionals, members of organizations, retirees, and just ordinary people who are extraordinary! The safety of all youth is the most important thing, therefore each Big in our program must complete an extensive screening process by professional BBBS Staff prior to being matched with a child.

A Volunteer Big is first and foremost a mentor who offers support and encouragement to their Little. The primary role of a Volunteer Big is always that of a friend and is not that of a parent substitute. Volunteers display acceptance, understanding, guidance, and positive role modeling through a one-to-one relationship with their Little.

Children that are referred to our program are usually struggling emotionally, socially, academically, or behaviorally.  Most children are between the age of 6-16 years old.  If matched prior to the age of 16, children can stay in their match relationship until 18 or graduate from high school.

• Want to be matched and can understand the role of their Big

• Are 6-16

• Live in Portage or Wood County

• Are able to build a safe and healthy relationship with a Big

• Have a parent/guardian willing to partner with us by maintaining regular communication with their child’s Big and BBBS to ensure child safety and health relationship development

The most important benefit is that your child will have the support and encouragement of a caring adult mentor. This kind of support can lead to other benefits that are unique to your child and/or your child's relationship with their Big. These benefits might include more confidence, improved grades in school, better relationships with their peers or with family, healthier attitudes about risky behaviors like drugs/alcohol, and other benefits.

It's important to know that Bigs are not intended to be a substitute parent, babysitter, or counselor for your child, nor are they intended to be someone who spoils/buy things for your child. Big Brothers Big Sisters guidelines set strict boundaries about this, and our Bigs are required to abide by them.

After our team completes the interview with you and your child, we will determine a potential match with a Big Brother or Big Sister. When we think we’ve found a good match, we will share non-identifying information about your child with the Big, and we’ll share non-identifying information about the Big with you and your child.

After sharing that information, both you and the Big are able to approve or reject the potential match. If both approve of the match, the match become “official”. Our staff will set up a “match meeting” where you and your child will get to meet with the Big. A BBBS of Central Wisconsin Match Support Specialist will be there to help facilitate the meeting and provide ongoing support throughout the match.

As a Big/Little team, you decide together what you want to do and then your Little gets approval from his or her parent. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule of outings and get together on a regular basis. Your Match Specialist will provide more guidance on this. The outings will also depend on the comfort level of your Little’s parents, your Little, and you.

As a Big/Little Site-Based match you would meet either during the school day or after school at a consistent time and day that works best for each of you and the Little’s teacher. All activities are provided at the Site but you and your Little get to decide what you do together.

The quality of the time you invest with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend. That’s why we don’t encourage spending a lot of money on your outings. The goal of the relationship is to help your Little see the world through a different lens so you can inspire your Little to become something they never thought possible. If you are going to spend money, we encourage you to seek out low-cost activities, especially in the beginning. Play a game together, or share that pizza that you were going to have for lunch anyway. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies offer donor-supported group activities that are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles. As a Big, you may also receive notices for free/discounted tickets to events and sports activities for you both to enjoy.

In the beginning, it’s most important for you and your Little to get to know each other. This can happen best on a one-to-one basis. However, over time it’s also valuable for your Little to get to know the people who are important to you. Just keep in mind that if you’re spending lots of time with others, your Little may not feel as comfortable opening up and sharing information when others are around. Additionally, they may begin to feel jealous or neglected, if they are sharing your time and attention. The main focus is the friendship you develop with your Little.

From inquiry to match closure you will be supported every step of the way by one of our exceptional Match Specialist. Our staff is professionally trained to help.  Each match is assigned a specific staff member to take them on a wonderful journey of mentoring!

Donate and/or visit our Events to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Wisconsin.