To enroll a child in a program, a child must meet the following criteria:
- For School-Based, School-Based Plus and Community-Based youth must be between the ages of 6-18 years old
- Demonstrate a mentoring need (whether academic, behavioral, or social)
- Explicitly express a desire to have a Big Brother or Big Sister!
- For the YWOI Program we accept youth from 14-22
- For Little Study Hall after-school tutoring children/youth between the ages of 6-18
Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida offers the following programs:
Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success (BISS)
BISS matches children ages 6-18 with a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor who meet with their Little Brothers or Little Sisters for one hour or more each week at selected schools and sites. Your child and his/her Big may spend time together reading books, doing schoolwork, making arts and crafts, playing games, and just having fun! Teachers and principals see improved confidence, academics, and attitudes from students who are participating in this program. The program is funded in part by the Department of Education and has a strong academic focus.
Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success (BISS) PLUS
BISS Plus Program matches children ages 6-18 with a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor at the youth’s school or after-school program and in addition, the Little has the opportunity to spend time with their Big outside of the school setting. This is a great way for the Big and Little to partake in hobbies and outside interests while sharing a one-to-one relationship with his/her Little. Mentors commit to four (4) hours or more a month for a minimum of one (1) calendar year.
Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida offers the following programs for Littles in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy and Marion Counties:
Community-Based Mentoring (CBM)
CBM matches children ages 6-18 with a Big Brother or Big Sister mentor who will spend time doing activities with their Little in the community. These activities include sporting events, walks in the park, mall visits, movies, museum visits, homework help, local college campus visits, community volunteering, and anything else that is fun and provides an opportunity for bonding, encouragement, and cultural enrichment. Mentors commit to regular contact with the child at least 2-4 times per month for a minimum of one year. Many Big and Little Brothers and Sisters have formed such a strong bond that their friendship lasts into adulthood or for a lifetime.
Mentoring Children of Promise (MCOP)
MCOP matches children ages 6-18 of incarcerated parent(s) and/or siblings with a Big Brother or a Big Sister. Children can be matched through the School, Site and Plus Programs, or the Community Based Mentoring Program. MCOP serves at-risk youth whose lives have been affected by a parent or caregiver’s involvement in the criminal justice system. This is more than a program – it’s a passionate response to the needs of children with one or both parents in prison. MCOP mentors offers children of incarcerated parents and siblings hope!
YWOI Juvenile Offender Program
Our newest program, YWOI Juvenile Offender Program is designed to help juvenile offenders youth ages 14-22 receive workplace development. The program’s goal will be to provide youth with access to employment, education, training, internship and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Mentors for this program must be 21+ years old and at least five years older than their Little.