The One-to-One Match Program

Also called the Community-Based Match Program, this is the traditional match between a Big Brother or Sister and a Little Brother or Sister. Volunteers are carefully screened adults who can be there for a child. Their purpose is not as a babysitter but a friend and a positive role model.

Volunteers are required to share two to three hours at least three times a month with their assigned youth. Since adults and youth are assigned to one another based in part on shared interests and other compatibility factors, most see each other more. Volunteers make a commitment to be matched for a year, but the average length of a formal match is nearly three years. According to a survey of former "Bigs," approximately 75% said that their match had become a lifelong relationship.

Volunteers must be at least 16, but adults of all ages are successful Big Brothers and Sisters. Youth range in age from five to 17, but most are referred between the ages of 8 and 12. All youth are assessed to determine level of need before being accepted for service. More boys than girls are referred to BBBS by a 3:2 ratio. However, since more women volunteer than men, boys outnumber girls on waiting lists by nearly a 3:1 ratio. Currently there are 60 youth waiting in Finney County.

In the year 2000, there were 44 community-based matches in Finney County.