Community


It's All About the Children

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and the Mentoring Resource Center is the oldest, largest and most effective mentoring organization in Miami Dade County. We're not about personal accolades or pats-on-the-back. Everything we do is simply all about the children. Although we have staff to support full-scale strategic community partnerships — and are equipped with the resources to design and develop tailored programs to fit a variety of partnerships — we still need one more thing: your participation as a community partner.

Your participation will help develop the workforce of the future. Plus it feels great!

Why become a community partner?

Becoming a partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters is a strategic opportunity for your company or organization to build both your internal strength and your civic profile within the community. By allowing current employees/members to spend just one hour per week as a Big Brother Big Sister, your business/organization will help develop the workforce of the future. Plus it feels great!

Research has demonstrated the benefits of volunteerism to organizations and corporations that encourage their employees/members to give back to their communities.

It's also good for your people. Employees/Members who volunteer experience higher morale and renewed enthusiasm, and have a heightened positive perception of their company/organization. They also have the opportunity to develop new interpersonal skills, teamwork, and cross-functional relationships. Plus they have a chance to increase their business network in the community.

As a community partner, your company will be seen as a good citizen that cares about its community, children and families.

The Role of the Partner Company/Organization

Ideally, your company assigns a Liaison to the BBBS Community partnership; promotes the opportunity to employees and/or members via organization meetings, posters, newsletters, e-mail and/or public announcements from corporate leadership; supports the program through volunteer recognition and/or paid release time. Many companies provide space, materials and other physical support needed to implement the partnership.

What BBBS delivers

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nationally recognized, premier mentoring organization in the United States. According to an independent poll, 88% of Americans recognize the name of Big Brothers Big Sisters and clearly associate it with beneficial work with children.

Universal appeal

Everyone can relate to having had — and benefited from — a mentoring relationship at some point in their life.

An attractive consumer demographic profile

Mentors and youth in Big Brothers Big Sisters are a diverse group spanning a broad demographic range.

The Role of the BBBS Agency

The Director of Community Partnerships oversees the implementation of the partnership. Program staff identify children who can benefit from a relationship with a caring volunteer mentor. A teacher, a parent, or a social service organization may refer a child for enrollment.

Our BBBS social worker will determine the needs and assets present in the child's life: interests, talents, and challenges. Social Workers orient, screen, coach and train mentor applicants. Screening process will include an interview, references and criminal records check, and a home assessment.

Social Workers pair and introduce children and youth with their mentors, based on common interests and the likelihood of compatibility. BBBS staff will select the child to match with a mentor and recommend activities to get them started.

Social Workers monitor the development of the relationship and evaluate impact on the youth.

Together with some of South Florida's leading organizations and corporations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami is making an impact in our community by providing mentoring relationships to ensure our children grow into caring, competent, confident members of the community. See our Community Partners that are making a BIG difference, one child at a time!