BBBS High School Volunteer Application

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Mission: create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Who are We?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington has been bringing a little magic into the everyday lives of children by matching them with adult volunteers in fun and rewarding relationships since 1984. We are very excited that you are interested in volunteering to be a mentor, or "Big", with our agency.

Friendship is a powerful thing. It’s fun, most anyone can be a friend, and it’s important. Experiencing fun activities together and forming a trusting bond with a child, or "Little", in our program can lead to a powerful and positive impact. We partner with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community and hold ourselves accountable for each child in our program achieving:
  • Higher aspirations, confidence, and better relationships
  • Avoidance of risky behaviors
  • Educational success

Site-base Mentoring Program Information
Who are We?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington has been bringing a little magic into the everyday lives of children by matching them with adult volunteers in fun and rewarding relationships since 1984. We are very excited that you are interested in volunteering to be a mentor, or "Big", with our agency.

Friendship is a powerful thing. It’s fun, most anyone can be a friend, and it’s important. Experiencing fun activities together and forming a trusting bond with a child, or "Little", in our program can lead to a powerful and positive impact. We partner with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community and hold ourselves accountable for each child in our program achieving:
  • Higher aspirations, confidence, and better relationships
  • Avoidance of risky behaviors
  • Educational success

Site-based Mentoring

Mentors, or "Bigs," are matched with a "Little" who is in elementary or middle school. Once matched, Bigs and Littles meet once a week at a set day and time at their site during the school year (we take summers off!). Sites can be schools, clubs, or community centers. Matches spend time doing fun activities that BBBS staff provide. BBBS staff are there to help with anything that comes up! 

2024 Sites

Thurston County
  • Salish Middle School
  • Chinook Middle School 
  • Aspire Middle School 
  • Nisqually Middle School 
  • Komachin Middle School 
  • South Bay Elementary School
  • Peter G Schmidt Elementary School
  • Griffin Elementary and Middle School
Mason County
  • Shelton YMCA
  • Pioneer Middle School 
  • More in 2025! 
Pacific County
  • Raymond Elementary 
  • South Bend
  • North River Elementary 
  • Willapa Valley Elementary 
  • Naselle
  • DJH Community Center (Long Beach)
  • Hilltop Middle School (Ilwaco)
Grays Harbor County
  • Coming soon!


Reasons to Be a Mentor

  • Be who you needed when you were younger!
  • Receive volunteer community service hours
  • Receive letters of recommendation 
  • Receive references for job and/or college applications
  • Gain valuable experience working with youth
  • Give back to the community


Minimum Requirements to be a Mentor

  • At least 15 years old. 
  • Able to meet at one of the above-listed sites weekly.
  • Able to meet with a Little for at least one school year. 
  • Complete this application and an interview. 
  • Communicate with BBBS staff if you are not able to make it to a meeting. 
  • Show up consistently for a Little.


Application
This application will take 15-20 minutes to complete. You will need the following items to complete the application: 
  • Picture/copy of a photo ID (driver's license, permit, or school ID)
  • Phone number and email address of references: parent/guardian, teacher, and any youth-serving organizations you have volunteered or worked with in the last 5 years. 
Non-Discrimination and LGBTQ+ Safety Policy

Big Brothers Big Sisters' values JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion). Our participants come to us with a wide range of personal characteristics and we value our differences. Participant eligibility shall be determined without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or (dis)ability.


Big Brothers Big Sisters and staff will not “out” youth in regards to their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This includes pronouns and chosen name. The information will be kept confidential with those whom the youth chooses to tell.


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Basic Information








See our LQBTQ+ Safety at the top of the page.

Put "none" if none.



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Non-discrimination Policy: Big Brothers Big Sisters' values JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion). Our participants come to us with a wide range of personal characteristics and we value our differences. Participant eligibility shall be determined without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or (dis)ability.



(i.e. Nisqually Indian Tribe, Aleut Corporation, etc.)

To select multiple, hold CTRL/CMD and click.


Personal Information


LGBTQ+ Safety: Big Brothers Big Sisters and staff will not “out” youth in regards to their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This includes pronouns and chosen name. The information will be kept confidential with those whom the youth chooses to tell.









Contact Information

If no cell, put your parent's phone number..

If you don't have an email, enter Moriah@swwabigs.org

















Additional Information


Photo ID



File can be a screenshot, PDF, or picture




File can be a screenshot, PDF, or picture







References 

Please provide at least two references. A reference from a parent or guardian is required. If you are not living with a parent or guardian, please put information of another adult to whom you are close. 
Parent/Guardian Reference




If your parent/guardian does not have an email address, please put "Moriah@swwabigs.org."


Parent/Guardian Info

Teacher/Professional Reference







Volunteer Experience










Volunteer Experience










Volunteer Experience










Previous Experience with BBBS





Pre-interview Questionnaire

Prior to your in-person interview, please answer the questions below. Parents of youth in our programs will often ask questions about someone with whom their child will be matched. 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: you will have an opportunity to discuss these questions and your responses more thoroughly during your in-person interview. 
Pre-interview Questionnaire














Consent and Releases

Confidentiality Policy 

In order for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington to provide a responsible and professional service to clients, it is necessary for volunteers, clients, parents or guardians to divulge extensive personal information about themselves and their families. The agency respects the confidentiality of client and volunteer records and, with the exception of situations listed below, shares information about clients and volunteers only among the agency’s professional staff. The right to confidentiality applies not only to written records but to video, film, photographs, or use of volunteer or client’s name in agency publications. All records are considered the property of the agency and not the agency workers, clients or volunteers themselves. In order to provide a service which is in the best interest of the children served by the program, information from outside sources, including confidential references, shall be assessed along with information gained from the clients or volunteers. Clients and volunteers shall be provided, at the interview, with a copy of this statement on confidentiality along with a list of the expectations, which define the limits of confidentiality. Clients and volunteers shall sign a statement that they have read and understands the agency policy on confidentiality and agrees to the program participation under guidelines it has set forth. 


Limits of Confidentiality

  1. Information may be released to other individuals or organizations only upon the written consent by the client or volunteer.

  2. Identifying information regarding clients and volunteers may be used in agency publications and/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 bodies 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 policy on confidentiality. Outside parties shall be required to use information only for the purpose stated in the approval action of the Board of Directors. Known violations of agency confidentiality policy will be reported to the supervisor of the individual involved and appropriate disciplinary action shall be requested.

  4. Members of the Board of Directors have access to client files only upon authorization by formal motion of the Board of Directors. The motion shall state who shall be authorized to review records, the specific purpose for such review and the period of time during which access shall be granted. Members shall be required to comply with the agency policies on confidentiality and may use the information only for purposes stated by the approved action of the Board of Directors. Known violations shall be reported to the Board President. A violation of the agency’s confidentiality policy by a Board Member shall constitute adequate cause for removal from office.

  5. Information shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena or as required by statute, with exception to number 8 and 9 (see below).

  6. Information shall be provided to an agency’s legal counsel in the event of litigation or potential litigation involving the agency. Such information is considered privileged information, and its confidentiality is protected by law.

  7. State law mandates that suspected child abuse shall be reported to the appropriate authorities (Child Protective Service). All workers are responsible for staying abreast of such reporting requirements of the irrespective jurisdiction and shall always comply with mandated procedures.

  8. If an agency worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer may be dangerous to themselves or others, necessary steps shall be taken to protect the appropriate party. This may include a medical referral or a report to the local law enforcement authorities or a mental health professional, as appropriate.

  9. It is the position of the agency to not “out” a young person in regards to their gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation that is confidential to the youth or the parent/guardian. The information will be kept confidential with those whom the child chooses to tell.



Agreement to Protect the Confidentiality of Match Information

I agree to keep the information discussed with me regarding a potential (Big or Little) match confidential. I will not discuss this information with any person other than Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington professional staff. I have read and understand that the above document which states the agency policy with respect to confidentiality of client and volunteer records. I agree to program participation under the conditions it sets forth.



Media Release
Being able to share stories of our matches helps us spread the word for funding and recruitment. Publicity and promotional materials for Big Brothers Big Sisters are conducted in a variety of forms.  By selecting below I authorize Big Brothers Big Sisters to identify me in the media as a Big Brother or Big Sister.  I also give permission for the use of other forms of media including but not limited to written word, photo, video, social media, and voice recording.

Consent to References and Background Checks
I consent to and understand that:
  1. The references and youth serving-organization 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 and with exceptions noted below.
  8. I understand that incidents of child abuse or neglect, past or present, must 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 timely communication and follow-up with all agency staff.
  12. 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 occurrences. I understand that BBBS staff needs to be fully informed to provide the best guidance or support possible.

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