get in the big game

WE’RE DRAFTING YOU ONTO OUR TEAM

In honor of Super Bowl LV, we are drafting 55 men to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters team and become positive role models to one of the hundreds of boys on our waiting list across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, and Alachua counties.

70 percent of the kids on our waiting list are boys, but only 30 percent of our applicants are men. It’s time for that to change. Step up and become a mentor to ignite the power and promise of youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Attend one of our Virtual Big Orientation & Training sessions on Monday, February 1st through Thursday, February 4th from 5:30-7 pm.

WIN A LAVONTE DAVID AUTOGRAPHED FOOTBALL

Anyone that attends a Virtual Big Orientation & Training from Monday, February 1st through Thursday, February 4th, and submits an application by 6 pm on Friday, February 5th will be eligible to win a football autographed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Lavonte David during a Facebook Live drawing on Friday, February 5th at 6:30 pm

Most children and families served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are facing increased anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentoring relationships protect against the harmful effects of stress and build resilience among children. In response, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay has completely reoriented our programming to virtually facilitate these life-changing relationships that ignite the potential of youth in our community. 

Learn More about our COVID Guidelines

BECOMING A BIG IS EASY

1
BIG 101
Attend a 90-minute Orientation & Training session
2
APPLY
Submit an application at the orientation (including references)
3
INTERVIEW
Complete an interview and undergo a Level II background check
4
VISIT
Meet your new potential Little
5
CONFIRM
Let the fun begin!

BIG PROGRAMS

We understand that your time is valuable, so we’ve created two unique programs to become a Big in your community. Learn more about our Site and Community based programs to fit within your needs below.

SITE-BASED

In this program, volunteers meet with their Little Brother or Little Sister one hour a week at a nearby school or after-school site. (Check with your employer; some businesses encourage staff to volunteer by offering to pay for volunteer time.)  We ask for volunteers to commit to at least 12 months in this program, but most stay in the program nearly twice that long!
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COMMUNITY

This program allows you the opportunity to pick up your Little Brother or Little Sister at the child’s home and spend time engaged in activities you both enjoy in the community. Outings can range from going for a walk, working on arts and crafts, taking a bike ride or watching a sporting event. Through partnerships, our agency also provides free or reduced-priced tickets to our Bigs and Littles to various events in the community. In the Community-Based program, volunteers spend at least eight hours with their Little each month, typically in the evenings or on the weekend.
  • Big Couple: where a committed couple can mentor a Little Brother together, sharing the responsibilities and commitments while also serving as an example of a happy, healthy relationship.
  • Sports Buddies: where we match a Big and a Little who share a love of playing and watching sports. We have great partnerships with our local teams and can often offer free tickets to our Sports Buddies.
  • Foster care: where we match a volunteer mentor with a child who has been placed in foster care.
Get Started

FAQs

How much time does it take to be a Big?

4 to 8 hours a month, depending on the program. In our Site-Based program, you visit your Little for one hour each week during the school year, typically during his or her lunch hour. To realize all of the positive impacts our relationships can incur, we ask for a 12-month minimum commitment in this program. In our Community-Based program, we ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month, which typically equates to two outings each month taking your Little outside their home to engage in some type of activity, typically in the evenings or on weekends. We also offer a Sports Buddy program, which centers around watching and participating in sports, and a Big Couples option, where you and your spouse or significant other share the mentoring experience. We ask for a minimum 15-month commitment in all of our community-based programs.

What’s required to be a Big?

You must:

  • Agree to honor the minimum commitment (12-15 months, depending on the program) and have the time each week/month to see your Little.
  • Successfully pass a Level 2 background check (including fingerprints and driving record.) There is no cost to applicants for the background check.
  • Have a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and appropriate transportation for children (for Community-Based volunteers.) For Site-Based you must have reliable transportation to get to your mentoring site even in inclement weather.
  • Present a Social Security card or W2 tax form.
  • Complete the enrollment process, which includes attending an Orientation & Training session (for the schedule in your county, got to bbbstampabay.org and follow the “Be A Big” links). At the end of the orientation, you will be asked to complete an application (including three references). Approximately a week later you will be asked to participate in a one-on-one personal interview.

What kind of kids do we help?

We initially match children between the ages of 5 and 13 (although once matched they remain in the program through high school graduation). Most of our Littles come from families living below the federal poverty line, while many come from single-parent homes, or have a parent incarcerated or a parent in the military who is deployed elsewhere. We work hard to match you with a child within 15 minutes of where you live that shares your interests and hobbies.

Will I have help?

Absolutely. Every Big and Little “match” is assigned to work with one of our professional staff members, called a Match Support Specialist, who is there to help you overcome any challenges, answer any questions, help you with ideas on match outings and otherwise support the match in any way possible. We host many events for our matches that are free to attend, and we will work with you to help develop skills to become a more effective mentor.

So what is the first step?

Check out the Orientation & Training schedule for your county and just show up. No RSVP required. You’ll learn all about our programs, commitments, expectations and our kids.