Have you ever thought about being a

mentor?

Think about it now.

*

You can do it.

It's easier than you think.

Sometimes it's work - mostly it's fun.

Our mentors tell us they get more out of it than the kids do.

Ask us about how you can become a Big Brother or a Big Sister.

Call 941-2862

and talk to Aimee or Tom

Or e-mail them at

adichard@CCMAINE.ORG

tgodfrey@CCMAINE.ORG

There's a child out there waiting for a friend.

It could be you.

Topics

Our Mission

Downeast Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring relationships for children and youth facing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges because of environmental conditions.

About Our Program

Downeast BBBS has been serving children in Southern Penobscot County since 1979. It is a program of Catholic Charities Maine and is a member agency of the United Way of Eastern Maine. Downeast BBBS is one of eight agencies in the State of Maine and is part of a national network of over 500 agencies affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Service Area

Since the beginning Downeast BBBS has served the Greater Bangor area and the surrounding towns in southern Penobscot County. By the year 2000, we plan to extend services to those towns in Northern Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Aroostook Counties where enough local support exists to make a program viable.

How to Become a Big Sister or Big Brother

To become a "Big", a man or woman must be able and willing to spend at least 3 hours a week with a child. The regularity of these contacts is very important to the child. You don't have to have any special expertise, but you do have to show up. Children can adapt to a vacation trip out of town or a bona fide family emergency, but they need to know that:

• You want to be with them; and

• When you say you'll be there, you'll be there.

We encourage prospective Bigs to consider their circumstances carefully and to wait to volunteer if they are not sure they can commit to a weekly meeting for a year. A couple in a stable relationship for two years or more may apply to become a Big Couple. Where all the parties are willing, and if an appropriate match presents itself, we may match a Big Sister with a Little Brother.

Bigs must also be legal adults and able to meet the transportation needs of their match activities. Usually this means that the Big has an automobile on which he or she maintains the state-required minimum liability insurance.

Once you are accepted as a Big Sister or Big Brother and matched with a child, we provide you with constant support. In addition to the regularly scheduled contacts between you and the Case Worker, you are free to call upon the program staff whenever you feel the need of material assistance or moral encouragement.

The children we work with are in the program because they need guidance in becoming socially adept. Particularly, in the early days, the burden may fall mostly on you to model attentiveness, reliability, and candor. It is only natural to be uncertain how to react if your little seems overly shy or forgetful. You are the person in your Little's corner. We are the people in your corner.

Each prospective Big completes a 4-step application process:

• Submit a written application

• Participate in an interview with our Case Worker

• Show the Case Worker your home

• Attend a three hour introductory training session.

Generally, this process takes about a month to complete. To begin the process call Aimee or Tom at 941-2862.

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For Parents: How to Apply

Intake is normally between the ages of 7 and 14. DBBBS will continue to supervise the match until the child turns 18. Parents may put a child on the inquiry list by calling 941-2862 and talking to a Case Worker. When the child works his or her way up toward the top of the Inquiry List, the Case Worker will send an application form for the parent to fill out. After receiving the application, the Case Worker will schedule an interview with the parent and will then make a home visit at which the Case Worker can meet the child. The Case Worker will also talk with school personnel and other professionals who know the child.

In order for a child to be eligible for a Big Brother or Sister, the following things must be true:

• The parent or guardian must want a Big Brother or Sister for their child and must apply in person for the service.

• The child must also want to have a Big Brother or Sister.

• The child must need the service as evidenced by the lack of regular positive contact with an adult family member or other adult whose role is similar to that which would be played by a Big Sister or Brother (i.e., an adult friend, not another parent.)

• DBBBS must conclude that the child's needs can be adequately addressed by a volunteer.

For Professionals: How to Refer

We welcome inquiries from professionals about the suitability of their clients to the program and the appropriateness of a volunteer mentor to their clients' needs. (There is, of course, no need to discuss the client's identity during these preliminary consultations. If, following any match, the referring professional remains engaged with the client, we expect to maintain a collegial relationship with that professional throughout the course of the match.)

Since our intake process requires that the actual application be made by the parent or guardian, the referring professional must work with the parent to promote the parent's initiation of the application process. In view of our need for the parent to be actively supportive of the match, we encourage professionals not to refer families where parents can offer only grudging support.

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The Match Process

Child, parent, and volunteer fill out questionnaires that indicate their activity interests, their personal expectations for the relationship, and their goals for the match. The Case Worker considers this information and the results of the interviews with all three parties to the match and then matches up the "Big" and the "Little" that in the Case Worker's judgement will best compliment each others needs and strengths.

Full confidentiality is maintained until the initial meeting, which takes place at the child's home. At that time, everyone is introduced, hopes and expectations shared, and an initial schedule for meeting is established.

After the match is made, parent, child, and volunteer stay in continual contact with the Case Worker through frequent phone consultations and face to face meetings. This allows the Case Worker to provide any necessary ongoing support to the match relationship. Parents are expected to remain an active partner in this four member team. Like any other relationship, a match has ups and downs. The match will weather the downs best if all parties work together to ensure its success.

Alternative Mentoring Program

DBBBS is developing a series of alternative mentoring programs to broaden the range of people who will feel able to volunteer. Most of these programs will involve matching a group of mentors with a group of young people and having them meet for an hour a week at a single convenient site. The rate at which these programs are developed will depend on the support of local businesses and schools. For more information about these opportunities, call Aimee or Tom at 941-2862.

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No child will be discriminated against because of race, national origin, religion, economic status, parental status, sexual orientation, or handicapping condition.

1066 Kenduskeag Ave., Bangor, ME 04401

Tel: (207) 941-2862***Fax: (207) 941-2835