Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands

So many ways to get started

Looking to get involved? Whether you’re interested in donating, volunteering or enrolling your child, BBBS offers several types of programs.

Big meets Little.
Starting something begins with finding a great match between a Big and a Little. Making these matches, and performing all the background work involved with them, is possible because of donations from people like you. It's also why we're able to offer such a wide variety of programs that pair children, ages 5 through 18, with role models in one-to-one relationships.

CORE PROGRAMMES
Community-based mentoring
Community-based Mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship. It’s all about one-on-one time spent with the volunteer and the young person doing things they enjoy -- a few hours a couple times a month filled with shared interests and activities like:
• Shooting hoops
• Playing a board game
• Sharing a pizza
• Taking a walk in the park
• Or just hanging out and talking.
The schedule can be flexible to meet the needs of mentors and young people in different kinds of situations. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekend or in the evening. Others get together with their Littles after school. There’s almost no one so busy that they can’t find a way to fit in a few hours a month.
Our community-based programme spans all of the districts on Grand Cayman and has also shown an increase in utilization of over 35% over the same period.
School-based Mentoring
Back in 2002, BBBS teamed up with CUC and George Town Primary School to implement the Bigs in School programme. Bigs in School is a way for businesses to adopt classrooms and encourage their employees to become workforce and academic mentors, as well as breakfast buddies. As of June 2009, 35 children participate in the school based programme. Right now, we are working to expand the initiative to Bodden Town Primary School, where the principal tells us mentors are desperately needed.

How a Big becomes a Big—and a Little, a Little.

Before we make a match, we do our homework. After someone expresses an interest in becoming a Big, they go through an extensive background check and careful interview process. Then we match Bigs and Littles based on location, personalities and preferences. And we provide full support from the start, so matches can grow into lasting, fruitful friendships. It’s also important to note that the entire matching process is made possible through donations —we can’t do what we do best without them!

LEARN MORE ABOUT BEING A BIG

Volunteer to Start Something

Be a Big Brother • Be a Big Sister • Volunteer

Volunteering is fun, big time.
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do. Not to mention, one of the most fulfilling. You have the opportunity to help shape a child’s future for the better by empowering him or her to achieve. And the best part is, it’s actually a lot of fun. You and your Little can share the kinds of activities you already like to do.

Play sports together. Read books. Eat a pizza. Go to the beach. Visit a museum. Or just give some advice and inspiration. Whatever it is you enjoy, odds are you’ll enjoy it even more with your Little -- and you’ll be making a life-changing impact.

Volunteering just a few hours a month with a child can start something amazing. So why not apply to be a Big today. There are kids out there ready to get started. Are you?

If you can’t volunteer you can also make a donation to help fund the careful one-to-one matching and ongoing professional mentoring support unique to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Your gift will help match a child facing adversity with an adult mentor.

Whether you get involved as a volunteer or as a donor, we welcome and thank you for your support!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands will host a fundraising event at the Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa on Friday 2nd November 2012 from 7:00 p.m. Event proceeds will help defray the costs of our mentoring programmes and help support the 20+ children awaiting matches.

The event’s concept is a simple one, but with a fun element for our guests. All will be invited to attend in either a costume or be provided with a mask on entry. Prizes will be offered for the best mask and most creative costume. There will also be a cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment and dancing with other surprises during the evening. The usual silent auction will be hosted to raise additional funds.

Since 1984, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands (BBBS) has helped children to reach their potential through professionally supported one-on-one relationships with mentors. US based research proved that children in the BBBS mentoring programme are 46% less likely to use drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 53% less likely to skip school, and 33% less likely to get into fights.

We screen all applicants for mentors (Bigs) and all children (Littles) for suitability for the programme. Our ‘Littles’ come from various home environments and family structures, different socio-economic levels, nationalities, neighbourhoods and schools across our communities. Our ‘Bigs’ also come from diverse backgrounds and are regular people, just like you. There is no need for any special degrees or skills; all that is required is the motivation to have a positive impact on a young person’s life.
We presently offer three types of programmes: Community-based mentoring, School-based mentoring, and a Group Activities Programme. Community-based mentoring consists of quality, one-on-one time spent between the volunteer and the child for a minimum of two hours per week filled with shared interests and activities. In School-based mentoring, ‘Bigs’ meet their ‘Little’ at the school once per week during lunch time. The Group Activities Programme provides monthly outings for children who are still waiting for a mentor. Volunteers, who are not able to commit to a one year mentoring relationship, provide waitlisted children with time, attention and fun once per month until community or school mentors are available and identified as good matches for the children.

To volunteer, simply submit an Application Form, a Police Clearance Certificate Request Form with a signed Police Release of Information Form and complete an interview. Once accepted, applicants are matched with a child according to shared interests. This process can take a few weeks or several months as we want to ensure the best match for both the adult and the child. Mentor training, child safety training and on-going match support also encourage healthy, long-term matches.
Mentoring is more than a volunteer opportunity; it is a one-year commitment of building a relationship with a child. For persons who are unable to participate in a mentoring relationship but would like to assist the organisation, we also welcome your application as a non-mentoring volunteer. We believe that everyone can give either their time, talent or treasure to make a difference in our community. Join us in making a BIG difference in the life of a child!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands

Address:

P.O Box 32178 Grand Cayman, , KY1-1208 Cayman Islands

(345) 945-6315

(345) 939 6315

(345) 945-6317

[email protected]

www.bbbs.ky