Big Brothers Big Sisters Manchester

Big Brothers Big Sisters is not your typical organization. We help children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities. And we couldn't do any of it without you.

Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change lives for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester was established in 1966 as a full affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. In 2004, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America celebrated its 100th Anniversary, making the One-to-One mentoring programs of this organization the best-established and most documented for successful results.

The professional Big Brothers Big Sisters' staff matches the children - Littles - and the volunteer mentors - Bigs - based on personality and interests. The Littles and Bigs agree to make a one-year commitment to the relationship.

If they are involved in a Community-Based Match, the Big and Little will arrange to see each other three to four hours, every other week. The Big and Little meet as friends, doing the things friends do. It might be a trip to the Mall or a game of catch, or they could decide to be adventurous and climb a mountain or go whitewater rafting. Many Bigs and Littles take this time to just hang out and play games or talk.

The Site-Based Matches meet and see each other for one hour a week at a specified location. Their site might be an elementary or middle school, an after school program, a daycare, or a community center. Big Brothers Big Sisters also has Site-Based Matches at the Webster House.

Once the match has been created, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff is frequently in contact with the Bigs, Littles, parents, and site coordinators to assure the success and safety of the match. The trained professionals of Big Brothers Big Sisters provide guidance and support. Training and educational workshops are offered for the Bigs and parents.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Matches are invited to participate in group activities such as a winter holiday party, camping, or snow tubing. The agency encourages donations of tickets from individuals and organizations to sporting events, concerts, and other entertainment venues. Donations of activities such as picnics, bowling, snow tubing, or other outings for Community-Based Big and Littles or for the children who are waiting to be matched are greatly appreciated.

September 2011 Newsletter
August 2011 Newsletter

MENtors Needed!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester needs male mentors for Community Based and Site Based matches. Only 1 out of 10 new volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester are men, which means that plenty of young boys are match ready and waiting for some good men to step forward. Being a “Big Brother” requires no special skills – just a desire to be a friend to a child.

Community-Based Mentoring - In the Community Based program Bigs and Littles typically meet 2-3 times a month, for a minimum of one calendar year. We recommend that you keep a consistent schedule and that you see each other on a regular basis. Share an activity that gives you something in common to talk about. You want to select activities that give each of you a chance to learn more about one another. Buy a comic book to read to each other, play a board game, or take a ride in the car with the radio on and discuss the music! For children, playing can be learning. Most important - have FUN!

Site Based Mentoring - Our Site Based program allows Bigs and Littles meet once a week in schools, childcare centers and community after school sites, to talk and have fun. Bigs and Littles typically meet 45 minutes to one hour a week, throughout the school year, to read together, play sports or computer games, or simply talk about life and personal issues – just as friends do!

Please tell a friend, brother, co-worker to give us a call at 669-5365, x201.

Match Story

There aren't too many people that don't already know what our match is like. I talk about it all the time. We met 4, almost 5 years ago. I was very pleased to meet a beautiful, I mean really beautiful, young Mexican girl. She was very shy and not the first one to speak out in her class. Within that first year, she became an excellent student. She began to "fix" her hair, dress with style, and socialize. We since have learned how to make bead jewelry, hook rugs, crochet, color velvet pictures, I lose many games, and we always find some sort of craft for each holiday. I feel that I have only skimmed what we really do.

My little has made me very proud. She is a high honor student for 3 years running. Just this past year, has been chosen to be a mentor for incoming students to Junior High. She is a fabulous example! I love her so much!

A couple of years ago, we decided to begin a great way to reward her-we collect really neat bracelets that we add a special charm for each of her accomplishments. She now wears 2 bracelets!

Anyway, if more people could see how little effort it takes to make a HUGE difference in someone's life, there would not be a waiting list of children to be matched. Spread the word and make a kid smile. It's easy.

Very proudly,
Ruth Witherspoon
School-based mentor program
& Community-based program