Big Couple
Being a Big Couple is a magical experience. It's easy to understand if you think back to when you were younger. Can you remember someone other than your parents who touched your life in some simple but special way? Maybe it was your aunt who taught you her 'secret recipe' or your next door neighbor who let you help him fix his car. Or maybe it was someone who took you to a ballgame or taught you to play chopsticks, or showed you how to catch fireflies in a jar. And maybe it was someone who just included you in an everyday activity because it was fun - for both of you.
Being a Big Couple is about sharing simple, magical moments like these with a child. Each of us had a special person who opened doors and widened our horizons on the world. By being a Big, you can do the same for a child and you will both be forever changed by the experience.
To be eligible to be a Big Couple, volunteers must be a resident of our service delivery area for at least 6 months and be at least 18 years of age. We require our volunteers to have a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. The couple is also required to provide four references that they have known for at least 2 years. Other eligibility requirements include: the volunteer must not have had a driving-alcohol/drug related conviction within the past three years; the volunteer must not have a misdemeanor or felony arrest matter pending or have been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor; the volunteer must not have been hospitalized or treated for substance related addiction or shown evidence of such an addiction in the last five years and a volunteer currently using illegal drugs will not be accepted. All information is held in strict confidence.
Each couple is thoroughly screened and interviewed by professional staff to be accepted into our program. Once accepted, the couple is matched with a boy based on the parent and volunteer preferences, interests, and location. Professional staff provides support, guidance and activities throughout the match.
The responsibilities of a Big Couple include but are not limited to:
- Seeing the child 8 hours per month for a minimum of one year,
- Maintaining contact with the child, to plan activities and keep appointments,
- Maintaining regular contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters profession staff,
- Keeping the agency informed of changes in contact information and any major changes in life circumstances that might affect the match.
- Maintaining adequate insurance on your home and car that will cover the child in case of an accident.
- Trying to keep activities to low or no cost. Volunteers have no financial responsibilities toward the child or family and expenses incurred during an outing should be shared, depending on the individual financial situation.