Big Brothers Big Sisters seeking suburban volunteers

Each year, more than 1,700 children in the Chicago region benefit from having a caring adult in their lives, thanks to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

This year is special, though, as the nonprofit organization works to build its suburban reach.

Volunteers are being sought from as far north as Lake County down to DuPage County in the west, and outlying areas of Cook County and Northwest Indiana.

Organizers say the need for suburban mentors has spiked with the economic downturn and population growth.

“We’re making a big push right now,” customer relations specialist Andrew Snyder said. “To the near west, our goal is to create 25 to 30 new matches starting in April.”

To become a “big,” volunteers must commit to one year of either one-on-one mentoring or site-based programs where matches are supervised and guided as they work together. The child, or “little,” also must be interested and approve of the match.

Volunteers undergo a rigorous screening process, while Big Brothers Big Sisters works with the families of participating children to find a good fit, based both on personal interests and personality. The organization also provides ongoing training and support.

“It is important to note, whether you are volunteering in the community-based or site-based programs that our agency provides ongoing support as well as monthly activities and programming that focuses on community involvement, cultural awareness and exposing matches to new experiences,” said Suzanne Hershman, match support specialist.

On-site volunteers meet with their “littles” at youth clubs, schools, workplaces and other locations around the area twice a month. Off-site volunteers are asked to visit two to four times a month. It doesn’t have to be extensive — or expensive, Snyder said.

“We’re really looking for people who are able to give us at a minimum 45 minutes,” he said. “This is not a huge all-day kind of thing. Every once in a while you might go out for a four- or five-hour day trip just to spend that time together. It ends up being somewhere between three and eight hours a month.”

Studies have shown that children who are mentored are significantly less likely to skip school, act violently, or turn to drugs and alcohol.

Snyder said the one-year commitment is especially important for matches to thrive.

“We want to make sure we’re creating a strong match,” he said. “Through our research, we’ve found that matches that last longer have a bigger impact.”

About half of Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers in the area are from Chicago, while the other half come from the suburbs, Snyder said. The largest needs currently are in Round Lake, Evanston and Skokie. Mentors are also needed in Addison, Downers Grove, Oak Park and Maywood.

Snyder said the organization is always looking for men to mentor boys, and girls to be mentored by women.

“The boys come through because the situations present themselves,” he said. “A single mom says, ‘My boy needs a mentor.’ But a single mom won’t say, ‘My girl needs a mentor,’ because they often see themselves as the mentor. But we’re not here to take your role. We’re here to support your role.”

For information, or to inquire about becoming a volunteer, visit bbbschgo.org or call Snyder at (312) 207-5602.