One to One Program

A Big Brother/Big Sister can introduce a Little Brother/Little Sister to new worlds and bring magic into a child's life -- moments where you get back as much as you give. You can enrich a child’s life just by being there. Remember catching fireflies for the first time, flying a kite, a first trip to the ballpark, building sand castles at the beach, having someone to talk with? Big Brothers Big Sisters is about sharing Little Moments and Big Magic with a Little Brother or a Little Sister.

You are eligible to receive an application if you are at least 18 years old and have a telephone and a car, a valid license and proof of auto liability insurance or access to valid transportation by a licensed/insured driver, and you’ve lived in the area for at least three months and are planning to stay in this area for at least a year and a half. There are ways to find time to schedule some Little Moments and Big Magic over a one-year commitment to visits with a new friend, a Little Brother/Little Sister. For more about our application process, read on.

A completed application will include your references, a signed release to run motor vehicle driver's record check and a criminal background check, your attendance at a group training and a personal interview

Couples Program

Same as our One-To-One Program in detail except: A couple must be married (or be long term partners for at least 2 years. Couple may see child as a couple or occasionally individually. A complete application is processed for both volunteers.

Little Brother/ Little Sister Application Process

We accept applications for children between the ages of 5 and 14 for girls who may live in single or two-parent homes and 6 and 12 for boys who live in a single parent home.

Both parent and child have expressed interest in the program.

As a portion of the application process, we ask a parent(s) to sign a release to their child's school so that we may receive a school record, and we ask you to sign releases to any agency or counselor your child may be seeing. An in-home interview will be scheduled by one of our case managers to meet you and your child. Please call a case manager at 445-2274 for complete information.

High School Program

Lyme/Old Lyme, Ledyard, Lebanon, New London, N.Stonington and Stonington
A Big Brother/Big Sister can introduce a Little Brother/Little Sister to new worlds and bring magic into a child's life -- moments where you get back as much as you give. You can enrich a child’s life just by being there. Big Brothers Big Sisters is about sharing Little Moments and Big Magic with a Little Brother or a Little Sister.

You are eligible to apply in your freshman ( 2nd semester) year for matching in the 10th through 12th grade and can provide your own transportation to participating elementary/middle schools where you would be matched with a Little Brother or a Little Sister. The visits are scheduled weekly for 45 minutes while school is in session (usually during lunch or between high school dismissal and elementary/middle school dismissal. For more about our application process, read on.

Littles in this program are in K-6th grade.

Coast Guard Academy Programs

Cadet Big Brothers/ Big Sisters
Program recruits 2nd semester 4/c, all 3/c and all 2/c for matching. Cadets must have a 2.75 GPA. Cadets are matched with 6th grade students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School or the community at large in New London. Cadets are required to schedule visits twice a month for 2 - 3 hours each at mutually available times for one year, with allowances being made for cadets' summer absences. An application and interview are required. Visits may take place at the Academy, in the community or at the middle school. The USCGA van is available for transportation.

Littles are recruited and referred by BDJMS and from the general community in New London. Applications and school reports are requested.

Connecticut College

One-to-One and RAD
One-to-One Program recruits college students in 2nd semester freshman year and sophomore/junior year for matching. Bigs are required to schedule visits once a week for 2 - 3 hours each at mutually available times for a full year. Van is available for transportation or Bigs may provide approved transportation. Some Group Activities are scheduled by college. Match may be renewed for College career. Littles are recruited from general community in New London.

RAD program recruits freshmen through seniors. Bigs are required to schedule a minimum of two monthly meetings for each academic year. Group Activities are offered on monthly basis by RAD, BBBS and Conn as well as One-to-One visits. Van is available for transportation or Bigs may provide approved transportation. Match may be renewed throughout college career.

Bigs must have a 2.2 GPA minimum and complete an application which also requests three references and employer, 16PF, Training and Personal Interview.

Littles in RAD program must be members of RAD (Recreational Alternatives to Drugs) a program to deter kids from use of drugs and alcohol. RAD recruits New London youth from single or two parent homes between the ages of 9-14. Contact for RAD office is 442-4994. Application and interview is required.

Site Based Programs

SUBBUDS One-To-One Matches at Naval Youth Center

SUB BUDS BIGS are recruited from the single-sailor population, Partners in Education or retirees. BIGS schedule visits for 1-2 hours between 4 and 7 p.m., usually on Wednesdays, at the Youth Center for either one year or nine months to allow for military schedules. Visits occur only at the Youth Center. BIGS provide their own transportation to the site, however the Youth Center may provide transportation if necessary. BIGS are not allowed to transport LITTLES.

SUB BUDS BIGS may request a Navy Volunteer application from the Volunteer Coordinator at 694-4814 or the Youth Center Coordinator at 694-4815. A completed application will include your references, a military and criminal backgound check, attendance at a group training and a personal interview.

SUB BUDS Littles are members of the Naval Youth Center. They may be between the ages of 8 and 17. Littles applications are at the Youth Center or Fleet and Family Services on the Sub Base. There is a Youth Interest and Information Survey. Interview will be by telephone or in person at parent's request.

Multicultural Magnet School
Integrated School for Arts and Communications
Integrated Day Charter School, Norwich
PEOPLES BANK ONE-TO-ONE MATCHING

BIGS are recruited from PEOPLES BANK employees. BIGS schedule visits for 1 hour per week at selected school sites. BIGS will be given time off from work in morning, noon or afternoon. Applications including references can be obtained from PEOPLES in Hartford at 1-860-280-2678 or download off PEOPLES intranet. Completed applications are to be returned to Hartford and then will be forwarded to BBBS for processing. There will be attendance at a training session and a personal interview.

Bigs are recruited from residential and military community, college or high schools. Bigs schedule visits weekly for 2-3 hours while school is in session on site only for one academic year. Match may be renewed. Applications ask for references, attendance at a training session and a personal interview. Bigs will provide their own transportation but are not allowed to transport Littles.

Littles are recruited from above-mentioned schools.