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.

• 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

When 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.