Enroll a Child
As a parent, you recognize the potential of your child better than anyone. By giving them the opportunity to be part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, you are starting them down a path to an even brighter, more promising future.
How it Works
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSIA) offers two core mentoring programs: Community-Based and Site-Based Mentoring. These programs are available at no cost to families. Each program requires a minimum of a year commitment.
Which One Works for You?
Community-Based
This program is based on the mentor (Big) taking your child (Little) out into the community to experience new opportunities, like visiting the science center, playing catch in the park or just hanging out. Your child and their mentor meet a minimum of twice a month for a couple of hours each visit. Your child must be living in Polk, Warren, or Dallas county and be between the ages of K-16 at the time of enrollment. Once they are matched in the Community-Based program, they may remain with their Big until they turn 18 or graduate from high school.
The first step is to enroll your child on the waiting list. To begin this step, the child's parent or guardian (not service provider) must complete the online form, or call Sergi Henriquez, Child Enrollment Coordinator, at (515) 217-5163. Afterwards, BBBSIA will be in contact with more information about your child becoming a Little.
Site-Based
BBBSIA partners with select schools for School-Based and Site-Based Mentoring Programs. For School-Based, a mentor (Big) visits with your child (Little) at school for 30-45 minutes per week to offer one-to-one attention and extra help with school assignments. The teacher will ensure that scheduled visits will not interfere with regular scheduled classes. BBBSIA serves children who are in kindergarten to 5th grade in School-Based Mentoring. For Workplace Mentoring , BBBSIA serves children in 6th to 8th grade.
Mentors are volunteers from the community (high school or college students, professionals, senior citizens, etc.) who want to be a positive role model for a child. BBBSIA conducts background checks on each mentor - criminal, child abuse and driving records - to ensure the safety of the child.
Role of Parent / Guardian
We need the parents and guardians of Littles to be involved every step of the way, starting with the initial match.
Not only will you provide information about your child’s strengths and needs, but you’ll also approve the selection of the Big Brother or Big Sister. Once the match is made, you remain closely involved in many ways, including:
- Approving activities and outings for your child and their Big
- Asking your child questions about those outings, and sharing what you learn with the agency staff
- Reporting your child’s progress and milestones to the agency on a regular basis (BBBSIA will contact you, but we welcome your feedback any time)
- Participating in training on child safety offered by BBBSIA staff, and communicating with your child about the training he or she receives.
If you agree to your child being involved in this opportunity, your role in the program is simple:
Community-Based: The match is assigned a Match Support Specialist who follows up with monthly updates for the first year. After the first year, quarterly updates follow. Match updates include a phone call with you, your child and their Big. It includes a check on safety, how the match is going and goals. The Match Support Specialist is there for extra support, resources and concerns.
Site-Based: The match is assigned a Match Support Specialist who stays in contact with the match and is available for extra support, resources and concerns. For the first year, the Match Support Specialist will contact your child and their Big every other month for updates.
Enroll Your Child Today
How to Enroll Your Child
The first step is to enroll your child on the waiting list. To begin, the child's parent or guardian (not service provider) must complete the child inquiry form below or call Sergi Henriquez, Child Enrollment Coordinator, at (515) 217-5163. Afterwards, we will be in contact with more information about your child becoming a Little.