Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)?  Big Brothers Big Sisters is
    the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States,
    matching caring adults with children in one-to-one relationships.  
  2. Do I need special training to volunteer as a Big?  No special training is
    required. All you need is 4-10 hours each month and the willingness to
    spend time with someone who needs a friend.
  3. Who are Big Brothers and Big Sisters?  Big Brothers and Big Sisters
    are all kinds of people - from high school and college students to business
    people and retirees - who volunteer to spend time with children.
  4. Who are Little Brothers or Little Sisters?  Littles are youths, from six to
    18 years old, who come to Big Brothers Big Sisters either through a parent,
    guardian or the Big Brothers Big Sisters School-based program. Littles are
    from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds.
  5. How is BBBS different from other mentoring programs?  Big Brothers
    Big Sisters is the only national mentoring organization with the primary
    mission of one-to-one mentoring with friendship as its cornerstone. It
    provides both national leadership and comprehensive program services at
    the local community level.
  6. Are there sufficient Big Brothers and Big Sisters to meet the needs
    of today's children? In our local program, more than 100 Littles are
    waiting for a Big Brother or Sister.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
    has embarked on an aggressive growth plan with the goal of serving one
    million children by the year 2010.
  7. Where does BBBS get its funding? Funding for Big Brothers Big
    Sisters of Northeast Iowa comes from a variety of sources including the
    United Way, individual donations, Cedar Valley's Promise, foundations,
    corporations and our Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Northeast Iowa
Meet Our Team!