Be a Big

Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington. Being a Big Brother or a Big Sister means being a special friend to a child in need and having the power to change not only a child’s life and your own, but every life that child touches now and in the future.

Each one of us remembers someone special – a neighbor, teacher, relative, or friend – who broadened our horizons and brought a little magic into our lives. Maybe it was the person who taught you to throw a baseball or ride a bike, or maybe it was someone who helped you make the right decision when you needed guidance.

If you think being a Big Brother or Big Sister is a lot of work, or a huge commitment, you couldn’t be more wrong! If you have room in your life for just one new friend, you can be a great mentor and role model. Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable things you will ever do and a great way to give back to your community.

Click Here to start the Enrollment Process.

Mentoring is a movement with an opportunity for everyone to transform the life of a child. Not yet ready to take the plunge and sign up to be a Big? There are still plenty of ways to be involved and make a difference in your community.

Donate
Giving to Big Brothers Big Sisters helps young people right in our community to reach their full potential. Help support the matches in your area by donating now.

Learn more about other financial donations here.

Sponsor an Event
Supporting one of our fundraising events is a great way to support mentoring and demonstrate your businesses commitment to our community. You can do this by providing a financial sponsorship or donating an item to one of our many raffles or auction.

Contact Bliss Goldstein at 360.671.6400 x 107 for more information about event sponsorship or in-kind donations.

Invite a Big Brothers Big Sisters Representative to Speak
Having a Big Brothers Big Sisters representative speak to your employees and co-workers or at your next club meeting is a powerful way to support mentoring at your place of business and in the community.

Contact Katie Allison at 360.671.6400 x 112 for more information

Come by for a Visit
Bring your friends, family and colleagues by our office for a tour and to learn more about the history and work of Big Brothers Big Sisters and how you can be involved.

To schedule a tour, contact Lynn Dayton at 360.671.6400.

Join our Board or an Event Planning Committee
Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for caring, committed professionals to share their expertise.

Contact Bliss Goldstein at 360.671.6400 x 107 for more information about the Board of Directors.
Contact Lynn Dayton at 360.671.6400 to join an event planning committee.

Share What You Know
Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for fun, creative ideas and volunteers. Have a fun idea for an event or how to help? Please contact us at 360.671.6400

Here’s a list of just a few ways you can share your expertise:

Help us find Bigs! Recommend us to college students, married couples, retirees, colleagues and friends as a great, fun volunteer opportunity!
Donate tickets for sporting, cultural and recreational events for our matches to use.
Be a Table Captain at the Big Breakfast.
Sponsor a match activity like a day at the fair, a waterslides party or a holiday party.
Volunteer to man a booth at community festivals throughout the year.
Be a Team Captain for Bowl for Kids’ Sake.
Help write articles and prepare our newsletter and other mailings.
Attend a Board Meeting.
Are you a graphic designer? Help create flyers, brochures and other materials to spread the word about Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Write a Letter to the Editor about your investment in the mentoring movement.
Donate your professional photography skills to capturing the magic of our match activities and other events.

What kind of programs are available?
- We make matches in two different programs: Community-Based and School Buddies. Learn more about each of our programs by clicking here.
What are the volunteer requirements?
- Community-Based Bigs:
  - Must be at least 18 years of age.
  - Have no more than 3 moving violations in the last 3 years (if planning on transporting your Little).
  - Can provide proof of car insurance (if planning on transporting your Little).
  - Have not been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years.
  - Have not been convicted of a gross misdemeanor in the past 3 years or any misdemeanors in the past year.
  - No crimes against children. Ever.
  - No sexual crimes. Ever.
  - No violent crimes against another person. Ever.
  - No current illegal drug or illegal alcohol use.
  - Attend an orientation
- School Buddies Bigs
  - Must be at least a Sophomore in High School or older.
  - Must have Parent Permission if under the age of 18.
  - Meet the same requirements as Community-Based Bigs (with the exception of the driving record).
  - Attend an orientation
  - Be fingerprinted
What are the benefits to being a Big?
- Not only do you get to spend a few hours a month being a kid again, you get to do so while making the difference in both your community and the life of the child you’re matched with. And while challenges do come up, most Bigs tell us they get more out of it than they give.
How do I apply?
- You can inquire online here (please link to online inquiry) or by calling 360.671.6400. Read more about the application process here (please link to “What’s Involved” section).
When can I expect an interview?
- Our staff will contact you within a few days of submitting your application to set up an interview.
What happens next?
- After the initial interview with you to tell us about yourself, we will start the background check, references and then the Program team will make a decision about accepting you into the program.
How long will it take to get matched?
- Once you are accepted, we’ll look to see if we have any children who are waiting who we believe would make a good match for you. When we think we’ve found a good match, we’ll contact you and share the child’s profile and see what you think. If you agree with our suggested match recommendation, we’ll schedule your match meeting where you will meet your new Little Brother/Sister.
- Every effort is made to find the right match for you, so this process may take some time. If we don’t have a child on our waiting list that is an immediate match for you, we’ll place you on a waiting list, and will contact you as soon as we believe we have a match. Please contact us if you move, change workplaces, or change phone numbers while we are looking for the right little Brother/Sister for you.
What kind of support will I get?
- Once you’re accepted as a Big, you will be asked to attend an orientation and training session. After that, your Match Support will contact you once a month to provide assistance and give feedback. Anytime you are unsure about what to do or how to handle a situation, you will have a Match Support Specialist there to help.
- We also provide activities for groups of Bigs and Littles to attend together to meet, talk, and get to know each other.
What do Bigs and Littles do together?
- The program is flexible: you can make it fit your schedule. There are no mandatory activities; you can do what you and your Little enjoy.
  - Some Bigs take their Littles to cultural events, like plays, the opera, and the ballet.
  - Some Bigs take their Littles to sporting events like the Bellingham Slam or Bulldogs, to play catch in the park, or go bike riding.
  - Some Bigs take their Littles on fun, everyday errands—to pick up groceries, walking the dog and gardening.
  - Some Bigs and Littles cook, make crafts, or just hang out together.
- BBBSNW Match Support Specialists will also keep you informed or our monthly match activities and other events going on within the organization and the community.
Can I bring my partner/friend/family member on outings?
- In the beginning it is important for you and your Little to get to know each other. This happens best on a one-to-one basis. Over time it is also valuable for your Little to get to know the people who are important to you. Keep in mind that if you’re spending lots of time with others, your Little may begin to feel jealous or neglected. Remember that the main focus is the friendship that YOU have with your Little.
Who are the Little Brothers and Sisters?
- Generally, our Little Brothers and Little Sisters are between 6 and 14 years old. Our Littles come from many types of home environments and family structures, social-economic situations, ethnic backgrounds, and neighborhoods and schools across all communities of Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Their backgrounds and personalities are unique, but they all have the need for a friendship with a caring adult.
Where do the children in the programs come from?
- Children and parents may hear about Big Brothers Big Sisters from a teacher, a counselor, their church, a friend, commercials, etc. All children and their parents choose to be in our program.
How do I know I’ll get along with this child? I don’t know much about kids—is that okay?
- We get to know you first, so we can find the best Little Brother or Little Sister for you. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington matches you with a child based on common interests, personality and geography to ensure that the match is as fun and rewarding as possible.
- Don’t worry if you don’t have much experience with kids. Behind the scenes you’ll have a team of experts—the whole team of BBBSNW match support specialists—cheering you on and helping you throughout your match.
How much will being a Big cost me?
- Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is absolutely free (other than providing your enthusiasm and some of your spare time). We discourage you from spending a lot of money on your outings. The goal of the relationship is friendship. You should focus your time on getting to know each other. We encourage you to seek out free or low-cost activities, especially in the beginning. We offer group activities that are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles. You will also receive notices for opportunities for free tickets for your match to attend a variety of cultural and sports activities.

These are just a few stories of the over 300 matches served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington.

Being a Big changed Keith’s life and Gavin’s…
“I’d been thinking about being a Big Brother for several years, but could never get quite motivated enough to go to the office and sign up. Finally I made a resolution to take the plunge and see what the program was all about. Looking back several years later, I’ve never regretted my decision to get involved.

From the initial interview with staff until meeting up with my “little”, I was very impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the BBBS staff. They were thorough in the interview process and asked what qualities I would like in my match and what kind of activities I envisioned during our time together. I could tell they wanted to get the right match to make our experience a success.

A meeting was arranged and I met Gavin, which began a three year Big Brother mentoring relationship for me. Gavin was obviously excited about the program and was enthusiastic to connect any chance we got, even if we didn’t have anything specific planned. We both liked to fish, and I taught him a few new tactics. On the other hand, I learned that there were some flavors of chips and sodas that I never would have dreamed of. Gavin and I went bowling, swimming, to movies, and sometimes just hung out. It was a commitment every month, but one I found myself looking forward to. It also kept me on the lookout for new and fun things to do.

Gavin confided in me on a variety of issues over the duration of our match, and I like to think I helped steer him in the right direction on a few occasions. I stayed in touch with Gavin as he entered high school, and seeing him mature and gain confidence as he aged was rewarding. I had a lot of fun meeting Gavin and also being a Big Brother, and plan to do it again in the future.

Throughout my involvement in the program, the staff, Gavin’s mom, and Gavin himself were enthusiastic, appreciative, and made me feel like I was doing a good thing. If you are considering being a Big Brother or Big Sister, I highly recommend it. I think you will find being a mentor rewarding, challenging, and a lot of fun.”

Betty Kerstein- librarian at Everson Elementary school:
“My husband was a Big Brother for five years before he passed away. His little brother was a kid who probably would have dropped out of school and would have become a member of a gang. Thanks to my husband’s mentoring, this young man, who was his little brother, turned his life around. He just graduated from Ferndale High School and was the first member of his family to graduate. This is a testament to the wonderful work volunteers in your organization do.”

Sharon on her son’s experience with a Big Brother:
“I have always felt that my son will be a great person when he grows up. I knew that getting a Big Brother or Sister would contribute to his enthusiastic attitude about life. When he was paired with Katie [in the School Buddies Program], he was ecstatic! He looks up to her and loves to spend time just talking and hanging out. Every child could use an older “brother” or “sister” to be there for them and just be a positive influence in their lives. Andre looks forward to seeing her and keeping in touch even when school is out. I know this is a friendship that he will remember and treasure.”

What a Big Brother did for Nicole’s son…
“My name is Nicole, and I’m a busy, self-employed, single-mother of an amazing 8 year-old boy named Nickolas. Nick and I have been on our own for awhile now and have truly been to hell and back. We have survived living through domestic violence and are really proud of how far we have come from where we once started. My son has been without a dad since he was 8 months old. The void and absence that this has caused within our lives is something that has brought me a lot of heartache and sadness.

“I was extremely fortunate to have learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters while we were living at Dorothy Place. Although, Nick was put on a waiting list that was over a year long, I must say that it was well worth the wait!

“Little did I know that we would get matched with the perfect “Big Brother,” for Nick, this amazing man’s name is David. David and Nick hit it off right away by doing some of the things that Nick loves best, being outdoors, spending quality time together, bonding and playing with some pretty amazing creatures that Mother Nature provides.

“We have been truly blessed to have known David for over a year and to have him be a part of Nick’s life. David may not know it, but the type of impact that he has made in my son’s life is one that brings tears to my eyes as I write this letter. David is helping to fill the all too important role of being a much needed healthy male figure in my son’s life. (Thankfully, Nick is also blessed to have a wonderful and healthy role model that his Grandpa provides as well and does an unbelievable job with!) For a young boy I think that one of the most important things for him to have in his life is a man to look up to, to learn from and to gain insight, knowledge and skills into what it means to be a “very good man.” This is what David is for my son, but I see him also, “A True Hero Within Our Lives!”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart David! When you decided to make a huge difference in our lives and volunteer for the ‘Big Brother/Big Sister,’ program without an expectation of compensation, you sacrificed a part of yourself that my son is benefiting so much from. What else could any person in my shoes ask for? You’re the best!”

Miss Washington and Her Little Sister
Miss Washington, 21-year-old Janet Harding, a Western Washington University senior, has been very actively involved with BBBS of NW WA for three years. She has served as an intern, member of the Board of Directors, and Big Sister to 10-year-old Deajannae.

“I am honored to have been selected to represent Washington this year, but even more delighted to be able to use this title as a vehicle to promote Big Brothers Big Sisters on a state and national level,” Harding said. “National research shows that children involved with our programs are less likely to use drugs or alcohol. They are more likely to attend school regularly, form stronger family bonds; and they are reported to be more confident and positive individuals.”

“My favorite thing is when Janet takes me to the batting cages! We have so much fun together; my big sister has made my life different because there is someone to spend time with me,” Deajannae said. “Janet is my friend. It’s really neat that she is Miss Washington, but it doesn’t matter to me if she is or not. She is still my big sister either way.”

How being a Big changed Mike Murphy’s life…
“It was 1982, and I was a physics/astronomy student at WWU. Being that I only owned a 10-speed bicycle, I rode the city bus quite regularly. Many of the buses had posters advertising the BBBS program – I recall they had pictures of a young kid with an older “Big Brother/Big Sister”, and a question similar to “Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life?” I grew up in a family of 13 kids and so grew up without much attention or guidance in my life, and perhaps that is why I found myself at 21 years old with a strong desire to befriend and guide a young child that lacked a close friend and mentor.

“So, soon I found myself at the BBBS office being interviewed by a wonderful BBBS caseworker (her name was Gloria), and soon after that matched with a 10-year-old boy named Glenn. Glenn’s mother, Joan, was deaf, and so couldn’t drive, and she was not comfortable going out in public. Glenn’s father was absent from his life. This made it very difficult for a very active and stir-crazy little boy who was crazy about sports (mostly baseball and basketball).

“That eventful day when I first met Glenn and his mother at their modest home in south Bellingham is burned into my memory like few other memories in my life, and just recalling it now is making tears roll down my face. The door was opened by a shy little boy wearing his little league uniform and carrying a mitt and baseball (he knew by my bio that I liked baseball as well, and so he was prepared to make an impression!). I could tell he was just as excited as me at the prospect of meeting a new friend that was likely going to become very special. Glenn lead me into the living room to meet with Gloria and his mother, and we spent the next half hour all getting to know each other’s personalities – much of the communication being with Glenn’s mother via hand-signing and with Glenn as translator. Then Glenn and I were allowed to walk to the elementary school a few blocks away to play catch and hit some baseballs for about an hour. We were kindred spirits from that point on, and spent many, many hours each week for the next 4 years being little brother and big brother. Glenn now had someone to watch him play in his little league games! I played basketball frequently at various courts around town, including the WWU gymnasium on Saturdays. Glenn would sometimes watch me play from the sidelines, and there was a few instances when we needed a extra body to play a game. Well, even at 11 years-old, Glenn was such a talented athlete that he was able to keep up with some of the 20-year-olds!

“It took only a couple months before Glenn was well-known in that WWU gym and had no problem being able to be accepted as part of my team. You would not believe how much that shy little boy blossomed over that first year we were together, and the special bond that was created.

“After graduating from WWU and moving here to Richland, I still was able to visit Glenn and his mother on occasion, and watched him grow into such a fine young man. Him and his mother eventually moved to New York City, and the last I heard from Glenn was that he was on the list to become a NYC fireman.

“I am now married and have an 11-year-old boy, and when we play catch I often think back to those days many years ago.”

Big Sister Amanda Recounts her Time with Shaina
“After much paperwork and fingerprinting, I was officially a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington. I sat before a stack of files of children who needed a big sister or brother. Shaina’s immediately stuck out to me. She was the color of a cocoa bean with bobbed hair, almond shaped eyes and a distant expression planted on her face. She was eleven years old, angry, despondent and apathetic. Shaina had three half-brothers in foster care, and a half sister who lived with her and her grandmother in a tiny apartment. Her mother had pale skin and distant eyes and wandered the downtown streets, sometimes riding the city buses all day bragging about to the bus driver about all of her dark children.

“Shaina’s frustration came from being aware. All of her mother’s children had absent African-American fathers. Shaina’s father had died when she was in the first grade of a drug overdose. She described it to me by saying, ‘he drank too much beer and died in his sleep.’ Shaina loved me from the beginning but she acted like she hated me. She criticized what I was wearing, reminded me that I was five minutes late to meet with her at her school, blackmailed me into taking her to movies, cheated at board games, and made me feel guilty for leaving her when it was time for me to go.

“At eleven years old, Shaina was fully aware that she had less than the other children at her school. She went to the least privileged school in Bellingham. She had no motivation to do well at anything because she was aware that she had so much against her. She frequently longed for her father who she remembered as being kind and loving, and talked angrily about her immature mother who made frequent visits to her home with her grandmother to bum food and stare at the TV. One day, Shaina asked me if I could be her mother. I don’t remember what I said, but I remember leaving her feeling like I could never do enough.

“Even though Shaina had bigger issues like lack of parental support and poverty to deal with, she chose to fight easier battles. She complained that her sister Tamara was always copying her, and about her fifth grade teacher whom she hated. She worried about having her place taken as the third fastest girl in the school, and she brought all her favorite possessions to school to show her peers that she had something others could want.

“I thought about the life ahead for her, and how she had so many more obstacles placed before her than other girls her age. Puberty was enough without all the loss and distrust she carried inside of her. I foresaw the paths that could be destructive and enticing to her: drugs, sex, alcohol, and the toxic people that would suck out her innocence. I always struggled with a way to talk to her without sounding like a preachy adult. I wanted her to recognize the importance of education; she hated school. I wanted her to be cautious with boys; she already had a boyfriend. I wanted her to believe in her self-worth; she had no self-esteem. She was constantly getting in fights at school. She bullied boys and girls her age, so no one wanted to be her friend. She got suspended for a week for throwing a chair at a teacher. The only person she had constant love for was her sister Tamara. On our weekend dates I began to invite Tamara, and sometimes Shaina permitted her to come. I brought them to movies, out to eat, to parks, and went to their apartment to see their gerbils that could not stop having babies!

“Shaina and I both knew our time was limited. We had six months together seeing each other once or twice a week. Leaving a child was something I had never experienced. Every part of it was wrong. We saw each other more and more often as the time for my departure neared. I began bringing her warm cinnamon rolls from my favorite café on the mornings I would see her at my school. I had pipe dreams of adopting her and taking her home with me to Albuquerque.

It has almost been a year since I stopped seeing Shaina, but I have continued to send her letters, packages and call her on the phone. She has improved her attitude and stays after school for Math club with a teacher who she idolizes. She calls me whenever her gerbil, ‘Trixie’ has another litter of gerbil pups. I still call her my little sister and I still worry about her often. She recently called me to tell me that she has been matched up with a new Big Sister. I admit to feeling a little jealous, but it makes me feel good that Shaina still has a role model to take her to the movies and influence her in a good way. Even though Shaina looks up to me as a role model, I remind her that I don’t know everything, and that one day I look forward to us being friends. ‘You know Shaina,’ I would say, ‘one day I’ll be fifty, and you’ll be forty and we’ll be friends.’ ‘That’s weird,’ she would say. In Shaina’s twelve-year-old mind, she doesn’t think two days in advance, but I know that life goes full circle, and that one day I may be looking up to her.”

Ben Mossman, Board VP of Development, Big Brother -
“My reason for getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters is quite personal. When I was 8-years old, I lost my father in an accident. I was very fortunate to have an older sibling who took the roles of my father figure, friend, and mentor. I still remember to this day the experiences my brother and I shared. He spent hours in the yard throwing a baseball, even though it wasn’t his favorite sport. He spent hours teaching me how to play basketball, which actually was his favorite sport. He took me to concerts, college football games, camping, and held some of those difficult conversations. He also never missed a single one of my high school basketball games, even though he lived and worked over 5 hours away.

“The support and experiences my Brother shared with me had an immense impact on my upbringing and confidence. Many children today are raised in single parent households, and unfortunately, not all children have an amazing older sibling like I had.

“My decision to become a Board Member and Donor was based mostly on the experiences described above and the desire to have a positive impact on more children in our area. My hope is that I can have the impact on my Little, and others in the program, that my older brother had on me and my life.”