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School-To-Work
Volunteer Application

Dear Volunteer,


Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami! We are grateful that you share our passion for empowering Miami's youth to achieve their full potential. Below is information about our School to Work program, a unique opportunity for volunteers like you to make a lasting impact on high school students.


School to Work Program:

The School to Work program connects employee volunteers with high school students to inspire career exploration and college readiness. Participating companies and organizations recruit mentors from their staff to be paired with students, creating meaningful one-to-one mentoring relationships. Littles are transported to the company’s worksite for four (4) hours on a monthly basis during the school year.

Each visit includes:

  • College and Career Readiness Workshops: These sessions are designed to prepare students for higher education and professional environments.
  • Job Shadowing and Mentoring: Mentors provide personalized guidance, share insights into their careers, and help students explore workplace practices and career opportunities.

Through this program, students gain valuable exposure to professional environments and build skills to pursue their career and educational goals.

We look forward to welcoming you to our School to Work program and helping to make a difference in the lives of our Littles. Thank you for your dedication to empowering the next generation!

Warm regards,

School to Work Mentor Requirements

  1. Commitment:

    • Mentors are required to commit to volunteering for at least one calendar year. Research shows that the most meaningful impact of mentoring occurs after 12 months, with longer-lasting relationships leaving a more enduring positive effect on mentees. Shorter relationships, especially those lasting fewer than six months, can have a negative impact on youth. We kindly ask you to carefully evaluate your ability to meet this commitment.

  2. Enrollment Process: To join the School to Work program, mentors must complete the following steps:

    • Volunteer Application: Complete the application form to initiate the process.
    • Background Check: Agree to a national Level II background check to ensure the safety of all participants.
    • Personal References: Provide references as part of the application process.
    • Interview & Orientation: Dedicate two (2) hours for an interview and training session with program staff to prepare you for your role.
    • Workplace Confirmation: Confirm with your employer that your workplace is a participating partner site for the School to Work program.

We are here to support you throughout the process and ensure a rewarding mentorship experience. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (305) 644-0066.


Thank you for your dedication to empowering youth and shaping their futures through the School to Work program.

Sincerely,


BBBS Miami Program Staff

Non-Discrimination Policy

Our participants come to us with a wide range of personal characteristics. We believe that participant eligibility shall be determined without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability. 

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Basic Information




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Contact Information
Employer Information
Additional Information

References and Background Check

Previous Experience
Volunteer Experience
Youth Serving Organizations Reference
In addition to the references below, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami requires references from all youth serving organizations at which you have worked or volunteered in the past 5 years. 
Please provide at least three references below including:
  • Your spouse or domestic partner OR a family member if you do not have a spouse, partner, or significant other.
  • Current or former employee or co-worker you have known for at least one year or someone from your school if you are a student
  • A friend or neighbor you have known for at least two years
Spousal/Partner/Familial Reference
Professional Reference
Minimum 1 year
Personal Reference
Minimum 2 years
Coworker/Friend
Minimum 2 years
I consent to and understand that:
  1. The references and youth-serving organization(s) I listed may be contacted by mail, telephone, email, or in person;
  2. The information I provided may be used to conduct a background check, to include a search of public domain records, driving records check, juvenile and adult criminal history check (see attached authorization), military records, and other records where required by local, state, or federal law for volunteers working with youth;
  3. I am in no way obligated to perform any volunteer services;
  4. The BBBS agency is not obligated to match me with a youth and may deny my application or close my match at any time, and to protect all participants’ confidentiality, BBBS is not required to disclose reasons for doing so; 
  5. Other BBBS agencies and youth organizations where I have worked or volunteered may be contacted as references;
  6. As part of the enrollment processes, I will be required to provide additional personal information, including completion of an in-person interview;
  7. I understand that the information I provide in the enrollment process will be kept confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.  
  8. I understand that detailed accounts of child abuse or neglect, past or present, will be reported to proper authorities;
  9. I understand that certain relevant information about me will be discussed with the parent/guardian of a child who is a prospective match (this might include demographic information, information relevant to parent/child preferences, and any information relevant to a child’s safety or well-being);  
  10. It is my responsibility to update the agency if any of the information I provide on this application, in my interview, or any other information provided during the enrollment process changes (i.e. address, phone number, auto-insurance, new criminal charges, etc.)
  11. I agree to complete questionnaires throughout my time in the program to evaluate and improve program services;
  12. I agree to timely communication and follow-up with all agency staff as required by the agency.

Pre-Interview Questionnaire

Prior to your in-person interview, please answer the questions below. The information you provide will also help us make a better match for you and assure we can support you during your involvement with our program. Please note that you will have an opportunity to discuss these questions and your responses more thoroughly during your in-person interview.  
If no, please input N/A
If no, please input N/A
If no, please input N/A
If no, please input N/A
Please provide the name, age, and relationship to you for anyone else residing in your home.

Release of Information Authorization

Document Overview

Prior to your in-person interview, we would like you to complete the sections below.
Parents/Guardians of youth in our programs often ask us questions about someone with whom
their child will be matched; we will release information to a parent/guardian only with your
expressed permission. The information you provide in this document will also help us make the
best possible match for you and assure that we can support you throughout your time as a Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Miami (BBBS Miami) volunteer.

Background check 

I hearby authorize BBBS Miami to secure any information staff deem necessary from law enforcement agencies; medical, psychiatric, and psychological professionals; current and past employers; educational institutions; social contracts and any other sources to evaluate my potential as a Big Brother/Big Sister. As fully set forth in the Confidentiality Policy, I understand that this information is confidential. 

Confidentiality and Digital Platform Policies

Confidentiality Policy

In order for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, Inc., (the “Agency”) to provide a responsible and

professional service to clients, it is necessary for volunteers, clients and parents/guardians to

divulge extensive personal information about themselves and their families. Additionally, the

Agency collects information from outside sources, including confidential references, which become part of client, parent/guardian, or volunteer files. All records are the property of the Agency and are not property of any Agency employee, client, parent/guardian, or volunteer. Therefore, records are not available for review by clients, parents/guardians, or volunteers. The Agency respects the confidentiality of clients and volunteers and, with the exception of the situations listed below, shares collected information only among Agency staff who need to know the information to responsibly complete their job duties.



Limits of Confidentiality

  1. Information will be released to other individuals or organizations only upon presentation of an authorized "Consent to Release Information" form appropriately signed by (i) the client’s parent/guardian when the information requested relates to the client, or (ii) the volunteer when the information requested relates to the volunteer. 
  2. Identifying information regarding clients and volunteers may be used in Agency publications or promotional materials if the client or volunteer has given permission. 
  3. For purposes of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with the prior approval of the Board of Directors, certain outside organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, may have access to client and volunteer records. These outside organizations shall be required to respect the Agency’s Confidentiality Policy. Outside parties shall use such information only for the purpose(s) approved by the Board of Directors. Known violations of Agency’s Confidentiality Policy will be reported to the supervisor of the individual involved, or to the President, and appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken. 
  4. Members of the Board of Directors have access to client files for various reasons, including (i) program evaluation, audit and case planning, (ii) under circumstances that may adversely impact the Agency to evaluate the impact and the Agency’s response, and (iii) at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and/or the Agency’s Management Team. 
  5. Information shall be provided to (i) Agency legal counsel or any counsel selected by the Agency and/or (ii) the Agency’s insurance carrier in the event of litigation or potential litigation or at the discretion of the President and CEO or the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for any matter involving the Agency. Such information provided to legal counsel is privileged information, and its confidentiality is protected by law. 
  6. Information shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena.
  7. During the pre-matching process, information about the client and parent/guardian will be shared with the potential volunteer, and vice-versa. After a match has been created, information about the matched volunteer will be shared with the client and parent/guardian, and vice-versa. 
  8. State law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the Florida Department of Children & Families. Agency workers shall comply with mandated procedures. 
  9. If an Agency worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer may be dangerous to himself/herself or to others, necessary steps may be taken to protect the appropriate party. This may include a medical referral or a report to the local law enforcement authorities.



BBBS Miami is committed to providing positive guidance and support to the youth we serve.

Because of the impactful and significant friendship our volunteers usually establish with program participants, we wish to stress the importance of our volunteers’ reliable and consistent

participation in the program and ongoing communication with BBBS Miami staff during all phases of program involvement. Therefore, we require volunteers to agree to the following:

  1. I agree to be a reliable and consistent participant in the program
  2. I agree to maintain ongoing communication with BBBS Miami Staff - including returning phone calls, emails, text messages and other attempts to contact - during all phases of my involvement with the program.
Are you willing to follow these guidelines? 

Statement of Understanding

Media Consent and Release

I irrevocably consent to any and all uses and displays of my name, image, likeness, appearance, basic biographical information, audio/video recordings, writings, artwork, and the like, in original form or in modified form, in whole or in part, in, on, or in connection with merchandise, advertising, publicity, marketing, fundraising, and the like, in printed or electronic media, of any type, throughout the world at any time by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and [BBBSA affiliate] in their sole discretion, and by any of their affiliates, successors, partners, sponsors, donors, any entities or persons with whom they conduct any public relations, marketing, or fund raising of any type, and any other authorized third parties, without further consent from me, without any royalty, payment, or other compensation to me, and with the release and waiver of any claims, actions, damages, losses, costs, expenses and liability of any kind arising from any such use (the “Released Material”).

In consideration of the mutual promises made herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge, I hereby grant to BBBSA and its affiliates the right to use the Released Material as BBBSA and/or its affiliates may desire, in all media now existing or hereafter created and in all variations and forms including, but not limited to, internal or external publications or productions, informational or recruitment materials, marketing materials, fundraising materials, televised photography and/or recordings, advertisements, Public Service Announcements, and/or online and social media sites. The use of this information shall be at the sole discretion of BBBSA and/or its affiliates.

I further grant to BBBSA and its affiliates the absolute right to use the Released Material in whole or in part, alone or in conjunction with any other image, name, writings or reproduction, in color or otherwise, for art, advertising, business, trade, or any other lawful purpose whatsoever, in perpetuity throughout the world.

I understand and agree that all materials created by BBBSA and/or its affiliates that use the Released Materials are the property of and are owned by BBBSA, and that I cannot authorize their use by any other party.  I further understand that BBBSA may authorize their use by a third party. I hereby irrevocably transfer and assign to BBBSA my entire right, title and interest, if any, in and to the Released Materials and all copyrights in the Released Materials arising in any jurisdiction throughout the world, including the right to register and sue to enforce such copyrights against infringers.

I acknowledge and agree that I have no right to review or approve the Released Materials before they are used by BBBSA and/or its affiliates, and that BBBSA has no liability to me for any editing or alteration of the Released Materials or for any distortion or other effects resulting from BBBSA’s and/or its affiliates’ editing, alteration or use of the Released Materials.  BBBSA has no obligation to use the Released Materials or to exercise any rights given by this Consent and Release Form.

I hereby release BBBSA and its affiliates, employees, and agents, as well as any partner companies, from all claims, demands or liabilities and related financial costs that I may now or hereafter have arising in connection with BBBSA’s exercise of the rights hereby granted, and/or with the appearance or the Released Materials in any publication or production. These include, without limitation, claims for compensation, defamation, or invasion of privacy, or other infringements or violations of personal or property rights of any sort whatsoever.

Child Safety Guidelines and Ground Rules for Volunteers                                                                      

Safety

I agree to immediately report to a BBBS Miami staff member any concerns that I have about my Little's safety.

General Standard

I understand that I should use good sense during all mentoring sessions and when communicating with my Little. I understand that my behavior must be within the parameters of acceptable program standards. I must not engage in any activity that may have a negative effect on my Little. If I am in doubt about the appropriateness of an activity, I will consult with my dedicated Program Specialist and my Little's parent/guardian. I understand that BBBS Miami has informed both my Little and their parent/guardian regarding the child safety guidelines to be followed. 

Confidentiality and Social Networking

  • I understand that I must maintain as confidential all shared with me about my Little and my Little's family, except to discuss with BBBS Miami staff and/or appropriate authorities. 
  • I understand that I am not to publish or share photos (digital or print) or videos of my Little without my Little's parent/guardian's expressed consent. I understand that my Little should never be identified by name in any photo or video.
  • I understand that I should not chat with, associate, link with or "friend" my little in any social networking or other internet site without the permission of BBBS Miami Program Specialist. 
  • I understand that I should not chat with, associate, link with or "friend" my Little in any social networking or other internet site where youth-inappropriate material or language may be viewed by my Little. 

Application Acknowledgement

I understand that this is an application for a volunteer opportunity and is not a promise or commitment by Big Brothers Big Sisters.

I certify that all information I have provided or will provide to Big Brothers Big Sisters, including this application, is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I have and will answer all questions to the best of my ability and that I have not and will not withhold any information that would affect my application for a volunteer position. I understand that information contained in my application will be verified by Big Brothers Big Sisters. I understand that misrepresentations or omissions may be cause for my immediate rejection as an applicant or my termination as a volunteer.

At any time while involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, I agree to immediately inform my Big Brothers Big Sisters contact person of any and all infractions, violations, charges, and convictions related to any civil, domestic, or criminal matters.  I understand that BBBS staff needs to be fully informed to provide the best guidance or support possible.  

Contact Information