BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS is the oldest and largest mentoring organization in the country.  For over 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been recognized as one of the most effective youth-service organizations in the United States.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri follows the mission, "To provide a mentor for every child who wants and needs one."  Also, upholds the vision, "Our Little Brothers' and Little Sisters' lives are changed for the better, forever."  Combining the mission and vision, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is committed to participating in the collective effort to create educated citizens, safe neighborhoods, healthy families, and a reliable and productive workforce.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri matches their volunteers (Bigs) and clients (Littles) in three programs: Community Based, School/Site Based, and Amachi Mentoring.  Community based mentoring is the more traditional idea of mentoring in which a Big and Little are matched and they do various activities around the community, such as going to the park or going to a movie.  School-based mentoring is a program where the Little and Big are matched to do after school activities, such as arts and crafts or sports, together at school under the supervision of a Big Brothers Big Sisters staff member.  They are not allowed to see each other outside of Big Brothers Big Sisters events.  The Amachi program goes along with these in which a child who has a parent incarcerated receives a mentor for either the Community or School-Based programs.

THE FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR THE BSW CANDIDATE:

• Assist enrollment staff in conducting client and/or volunteer interviews and assessments Assist enrollment staff in conducting reference checks, criminal background checks, child abuse/neglect checks, counselor reports, etc.
• Assist in pre-matching clients and volunteers.
• Participate in match parties.
• Assist site-based staff at school-based programs
• Assist with volunteer recruitment

WHAT STUDENTS SAY:  "I really enjoyed my time at Big Brothers Big Sisters.  It was great experience working with a wide range of people from young children, to college students to even parents.  If a student is interested in working with youth I would highly  recommend Big Brothers Big Sisters as they will get a lot of hands on learning at the school-based program.  Big Brothers Big Sisters is definitely an agency where you will feel as though you are having a positive influence on the population you are working with.  When a child comes to you and tells you "thank you" for the fun games they have played or the Big Brother or Big Sister they have, it really makes you understand how important your work has been."

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"Big Brothers Big Sisters is a great place to do an internship,  It is a fast-paced environment with something to do at all times.  You gain a lot of knowledge about how to interact with children and their families.  This helps when learning intervention methods  if the child is in a high-risk population.  Mu overall experience has been great.  I have formed a great bond with all of the children and volunteers in the program.  I feel that this is an agency geared to helping the children of the community.  I would highly recommend this placement if you are looking for something that is fast-paced and very interesting."

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit their website at: http://www.bbbsemo.org

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