Community-Based Mentoring Programs

Jennifer (Big) and her "Little," Jaida, a Community-Based match, bowling at one of our Bowl For Kids’ Sake events

"I get to go out and play like a kid. I get to do all of this fun stuff that I haven't done in a long time. It's a lot of fun for both of us. It’s an adventure, and it’s good to know that I’m making a positive difference." - Jennifer, Community-Based Big

Community-Based Mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship. It’s all about one-on-one time spent with the volunteer and child doing things they enjoy — a few hours a week filled with shared interests and activities like:

• Shooting hoops
• Playing a board game
• Sharing a pizza
• Taking a walk in the park
• Or just hanging out and talking.

BBBS mentoring programs work because they pair a screened, trained volunteer with a child and together they receive professional match support as their relationship grows. Also, the schedule can be flexible to meet the needs of mentor and youth. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekend -others get together after school. There’s almost no one so busy that they can’t find a way to fit in a few hours a month.

Littles in these towns are currently loving spending time with their Bigs:
Belmont, Boothbay, Camden, Freedom, Jefferson, Liberty, Owl’s Head, Newcastle, Rockland, Searsmont, Searsport, South Bristol, Spruce Head, St. George, Stockton Springs, Troy, Waldo, Waldoboro, Warren, Washington, Whitefield, Wiscasset.

To find out more about becoming a Big or enrolling your child, email Alan today.

School-Based Mentoring Programs

"The experience is beneficial for the Big just as much as the Little. I like the individual bond a Little and Big form…I’ve seen Ava open up a lot more when she was originally shy."

--Rachel (Big)

Ava (Little) flying a kite with her Big Sister Rachel at Appleton Village School

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine (BBBSMCM) has been bringing a little magic into the lives of children by matching them with trained volunteers in fun and rewarding relationships for over 30 years. School-Based Mentors (Bigs) spend time doing a variety of activities and games, provided by BBBSMCM, with an elementary school student (Little). Bigs and Littles are matched according to their various characteristics, interests, and personality traits. Matches meet each week at the Littles’ elementary schools for about an hour, taking part in activities like sports, arts and crafts, board games, reading books, doing puzzles and everything in between. Professional BBBSMCM staff and school Program Coordinators provided constant, on-site support to matches to ensure child safety and help matches form a trusting bond with each other. School-Based Bigs are asked to commit at least a year to their Little, over time sharing experiences, having fun, and building a friendship that can last a lifetime!

Our Schools

Program Schools	Recruitment Sites
MacDougal School	Rockland District High School
Hope Elementary School	Camden Hills Regional High School
Appleton Village School	Medomak Valley High School
Lincolnville Central School	Lincoln Academy
Warren Community School	Boothbay Region High School
Miller Elementary School	Mt. View High School
Nobleboro Central School	Bank of America
Great Salt Bay Community School	Unity College
Boothbay Region Elementary School	The Community School
Unity Elementary School
Mt. View Elementary School
North Haven Community School

If your child’s school is on this list, and you’d like to learn more about enrolling them in this great program or becoming a Big, email Casey today.

If your child’s school is not on this list, and you don’t want them to miss out on the opportunity to be a Little, please click here to learn more about our Community-Based Mentoring Program.

To learn about other opportunities to positively change a life, please click here to learn about becoming a School-Based Mentoring Program Coordinator.

Program Impact

Adria and her "Little," Nathan, a School-Based match at Great Salt Bay Community School, enjoy the playland at the Penobscot Bay YMCA together

"Nathan’s self-confidence has improved a great deal this year. I really feel that Adria’s consistency as a Big has played a big role in that."
– Alan, Nathan’s Dad

National and state statistics show that children who are mentored are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and peers, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, become pregnant, abuse drugs or become involved in criminal activity. The success of children who are mentored is apparent in the following statistics. In a nationwide study, Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:

• 52% less likely to skip school
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to use alcohol
• 33% less likely to use violence
• More likely to get along with their families and peers

Additionally, they showed improved school performance and attendance, better grades and self-confidence!

Locally, youth in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine mentoring programs experienced:

• 93% increase in self-confidence
• 92% increase in showing trust towards their mentor
• 89% increase in positive attitude towards school
• 87% increase in ability to express feelings