You can support our agency and the children in our community by volunteering in a variety of ways. See below for details. If you want to learn more about ways you can volunteer, complete the Volunteer Inquiry Form at the bottom of this page or join us for one of our Magic Moments Information Sessions for an inspirational meeting you won't forget! Click here for information on upcoming sessions.
Become a Big Brother or Big Sister
Our goal is to promote the positive development of at-risk children and youth, primarily from low-income, single-parent families, by matching them with mature, responsible, and productive individuals. These individuals offer support to the children's growth and development through a nurturing relationship, leading to greater self-esteem.
Who and what is a Big?
Our agency matches children with carefully screened adult and older peer volunteers who serve as a Big Brother or Big Sister ("Big"). These Big Brothers and Big Sisters are stable and mature individuals who have demonstrated responsibility and dependability. In most cases, matches are paired according to the same-gender (i.e., men are matched with boys and women with girls). A Big Brother or Big Sister provides friendship, guidance, and support to a child ("Little"). They also provide individual attention and become a special friend, not mother or father substitutes.
Services to Littles
Mentoring services are provided free of charge to children who live in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County Service Area and who are between the ages of six and eighteen. The child's desire to participate is critical to a successful match. Children and the parent/guardian are interviewed to help the Case Management staff learn of the child's needs and interests. When the Case Manager believes he or she has a potential Big for a child, the parents/guardians will be contacted to discuss the Big. At this point the parents/guardians may choose to meet the Big to determine compatibility, or they may feel comfortable with making a match based on the Case Manager's information. At the time of the match meeting, and after all parties have agreed to participate, personal information such as address and phone numbers are exchanged and the match can begin.
Support
Throughout the mentoring relationship, a supportive Case Manager will provide guidance and help in making the match a success. Every month for the first year of a match, a Case Manager will be in contact with the child and parent/guardian, as well as the Big Brother or Big Sister, to find out how the match is progressing and if there are any problems or concerns. The Case Manager, however, is available to the participating children, families, and Bigs at any time during the match and they are strongly encouraged to call and seek assistance concerning the match.
Programs
Community-Based Mentoring - The matched Big and Little usually see each other 3 to 4 times a month for at least one year. These matches can last officially in the agency until the Little Brothers or Little Sisters reach eighteen. Bigs and Littles spend quality time together doing common interest activities that are of low- to no-cost. The focus is not on spending money, but on spending time together. A Big and Little might play soccer, start a collection, build a model, plant a garden, go fishing, make a meal, explore the community, etc. The unique one-to-one relationship grows during the match and helps the Little become more and more confident and secure.
School-Based Mentoring - The matched Big and Little usually see each for one hour each week at the school site for at least one year. These matches can last officially in the agency until the Little Brothers or Little Sisters enter high school. Bigs and Littles spend quality time together doing common interest activities at the school site. The focus is on spending time together. Big and Littles might play sports, play board games, write poems, read together, start a collection, do activities on the computer, or do art projects together, etc. Like in the community-based program, the unique one-to-one relationship grows during the match and helps the Little become more and more confident and secure.
Apply to be a Big
Click here to download our Application to become a Big Brother or Big Sister Volunteer. If you're interested in becoming a Big in the Truckee-Kings Beach region, click here for the Volunteer Application.
Volunteer on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors
The Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County meets one night a month. Additional meetings are required for committees. The responsibility of the Board of Directors is to oversee the operations of the agency. This involves setting policy and fundraising. Advocating for the agency is also a part of the Board's responsibilities.
To learn more about the Board of Directors, we invite you to join one of our meetings. Contact us at 273-2227 or director@bigsofnc.org to find out when our next meeting is.
Help us at one of our events
We have several fundraising events throughout the year and can always use help with the logistics - whether it be help coordinating the event, getting the word out about the event, or being at the event to give a helping hand. Click on "Events" tab for details on upcoming events and to see if you would like to help out with any of them.
Help us in the office
Additional office help is always welcome! We often need help with mailings that need to be folded and labels attached, or with data entry and other computer-based tasks.
Grass Valley Office (Main Office): Truckee Office:
745 Maltman Drive 10075 Levon Ave., Suite 201B
P.O. Box 1362, Grass Valley, CA 95945 Truckee, CA 96161
Tel: 530.273.2227 Tel: 530.587.7717
Fax: 530.273.4113 Fax: 530.587.0899
Email: info@bigsofnc.org Email: peggy@bigsofnc.org
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