Volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters

A lot of students want to volunteer for various reasons (maybe it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside or you just like how it can help get you an easy scholarship), but they don’t always know where to start. That’s why, from time to time, I’ll highlight an organization that I feel is age-appropriate and worthy of your time. Big Brothers Big Sisters is such an organization. I haven’t actually volunteered with them myself, but I have good friends who do and have done so for years. With almost any volunteer organization, you get to make a positive impact on someone else’s life, but with Big Brothers Big Sisters, you get to see the smile on that little person’s face time and time again.

Although it can be extremely rewarding, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters is not a decision you should take lightly. If you want to help the community, but you’re not sure about your level of commitment, volunteer at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen for the day. You can even lend a hand at a Habitat for Humanity project or help clean up your local park. Those are all things you can do whenever the mood strikes you. On the other hand, Big Brothers Big Sisters requires a much greater commitment. It’s so effective because it helps bring some stability to children who don’t otherwise have any. That means, if you opt in and only volunteer for a month, you’re disappointing a child.

The commitment factor is probably why BBBS does a thorough interview and background check on each of its volunteers. They want to make sure you’re committed (and that you haven’t been committed, if you catch my drift). But once you get in, you’ll see that it’s a pretty great program. All you have to do is spend a few hours a couple of times per month with your “little brother” or “sister.” The fun is in finding an activity or two that you both can enjoy together. Maybe you’re learning how to become an art teacher and you can have an arts and crafts day with your little brother or sister. Whatever your interest, you should be able to find something you both can enjoy.