Volunteer Application

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We are so excited you’re applying to be a volunteer mentor for Twin Cities youth! Once you complete this application, our team will contact you to set up a one-on-one interview. If you have any questions along the way, please send us an email at volunteers@bigswtincities.org. Can’t wait to meet you, future Big! 💚

Please select one volunteer opportunity that interests you the most. (Read each description to familiarize yourself with our youth mentoring programs. We’ll review this information with you during your interview.)

Sports Buddies: I’m interested in learning about this cohort. (Open to male-identifying and nonbinary Bigs)

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To avoid delays in your enrollment, please read the requirements carefully to make sure you are eligible for the specific volunteer opportunity you chose. If you are unsure which program is best, or have further questions, please reach out to Sandi Richmond: srichmond@bigstwincities.org

Community Mentor Requirements

Our community-based mentoring program pairs caring adults like you (“Bigs”) with children ages 8 to 13 (“Littles”). Volunteers can participate individually or as a "Big Couple" (i.e. with a spouse or significant other). See requirements below:

19 years of age or older
Car or vehicle for transportation
Availability in evenings and weekends
1 year commitment from the time you are matched with a mentee
Check out more details by visiting our volunteer page, scrolling to the Mentoring Opportunities section and watching the short video for the program for which you are applying

School Mentor Requirements

Our school-based program pairs caring adults like you (“Bigs”) with children ages 8 to 13 (“Littles”) to meet one-on-one. In this program, matches meet at the Little’s school instead of out in the community.

See additional requirements below:

18 years of age or older
1 year commitment from the time you are matched with a mentee
Check out more details by visiting our volunteer page, scrolling to the Mentoring Opportunities section and watching the short video for the program for which you are applying

Free Arts Mentor Requirements

Our Free Arts program inspires young people to discover and express themselves through art. Caring adult volunteers, like you, engage kids in art projects at one of more than 20 Twin Cities partner sites. See requirements below:

16 years of age or older
12 week commitment
Check out more details by visiting our volunteer page, scrolling to the Mentoring Opportunities section and watching the short video for the program for which you are applying

Graduation Coaches Mentor Requirements

Our Grad Coaches program supports high school students in strengthening academic skills, improving study habits, cultivating healthy peer relationships, and developing plans for a career or post-secondary education.

We are currently only accepting Grad Coach volunteers at HOPE Community Academy in St. Paul who can meet twice a month on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 2:00-3:15.

See additional requirements below:

19 years of age or older
1 year commitment from the time you are matched with a mentee
Check out more details by visiting our volunteer page, scrolling to the Mentoring Opportunities section and watching the short video for the program for which you are applying

Contact Information

Legal First Name

Preferred Name/Nickname

Last Name

Date of Birth

Street Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

County of Residence

Preferred Contact Method

Personal Information

In an effort to be as inclusive as possible and reach out to potential volunteers in all areas of the Twin Cities, we would welcome you to share your background to the extent you are comfortable in the questions below.

Racial Identity

Specify Racial Identity

Gender Identity

Specify Gender Identity

Pronouns

Specify Pronouns

Do you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?

Additional Languages Spoken:

Please provide insight into the other language(s) you speak:

Some of our families need volunteers that are fluent in Spanish, Hmong, and ASL. To help us gauge your fluency level, would you be able to communicate in your stated secondary language with a Little’s parent/guardian about difficult topics? For example, could you fluently share concerns you have that your Little is being bullied in school and ask for parent/guardian's input on how you can work together to best support them?

Relationship Status

Military Service

Have you ever applied before to be (or have you been) a Big Brother or Big Sister?

Were you a former Big/Little?

If yes, where and when?

Occupation

College Students: please select "Student: College"

College Students: please select "Student: College" for occupation.

Do you have access to a car you could drive to/from match visits? Please note a car is not required for school mentors.

YesNo

Employer Information

Employer

Job Title

Company Address

Company City

Company State

Company Postal Code

Many area employers are corporate partners with BBBS and wish to recognize and support the volunteer contributions made by their staff. This corporate support is an essential part of BBBS agency funding. I hereby give permission for BBBS to share with my employer that I am volunteering as a Big Brother/Big Sister. This consent will apply to my current or future employers, unless I notify BBBS in writing. This consent will expire upon my giving written notification to BBBS.

College Student Availability

College:

If your college is not listed, please specify college name:

When can you start volunteering?

Are you planning to study abroad?

YesNo

If yes, please share additional details about when you plan to go:

Are you a current or former Page Scholar?

Big Brothers Big Sisters Media Release

I hereby give my permission for BBBS to use identifying information (full name, photograph,match profile information) about me now, and in the future, for agency publications, media productions, promotional materials, and online social networking media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc). This publication consent will expire upon my giving written notification to BBBS. This revocation will not apply to existing publications or productions in stock for distribution. Last names of minors (Littles or High-School Bigs) will not be used in any BBBS publication without further written or verbal consent by the minor’s parent or legal guardian. (Please note BBBS encourages other media entities to abide by this policy, but ultimately, BBBS is not responsible for external publicity.)

Consent & Permissions

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) respects the confidentiality of program participant and volunteer records and, with the exception of situations listed below, shares information about program participants and volunteers only with BBBS staff members, certified volunteers, and interns. Identifying information will be released to other individuals or non-BBBS organizations only with the parent’s/guardian’s or volunteer’s written consent. All records are considered the property of the agency and not the agency workers or program participants or volunteers themselves. Confidentiality exceptions include the following:

1. For purposes of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with the prior approval of the

Board of Directors, certain outside bodies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America may

have access to child and volunteer records.

2. Members of the Board of Directors or external evaluators have access to child and volunteer

files upon authorization of the Board of Directors.

3. Written information shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts in

response to a valid and enforceable subpoena.

4. Information shall be provided to an agency’s legal counsel in the event of litigation or

potential litigation involving the agency.

5. State law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the appropriate authorities (local

police or child protection agency).

6. If an agency worker/representative receives information indicating that a child or volunteer

may be dangerous to himself or herself or to others, necessary steps may be taken to protect

the appropriate party. This may include a medical referral or report to the local law

enforcement authorities.

7. At the time a child or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, information is shared

between the prospective match parties. Match parties are expected to respect and keep

confidential such shared information. The information about the volunteer may include such

items as: age, sex, race, religion, interests, hobbies, marriage, family status, sexual orientation,

living situation, etc. Information about the child may include such items as age, sex, race,religion, interests, hobbies, family situation, etc.

By checking the box below, you are confirming that:

You understand that any references may be contacted by mail, telephone, or email.
You are in no way obligated to perform any volunteer service.
The information provided may be used to conduct a background check, to include driving record check, criminal background check and other records where required by local, state or federal law for volunteers working with youth.
BBBS is not obligated to match me with a young person; and as part of the enrollment process, BBBS will ask me to provide additional personal information prior to making any recommendations for acceptance.

I have read the terms above and agree

Type Signature Here:

Make a Referral!

Do you know anyone who might be interested in volunteering in our programs? If you would like to refer them to us, please provide name(s) and contact information:

First Name

Last Name

Phone

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