YOUTH ELIGIBILITY

• Elementary-aged youth
• Enrolled at a participating school
• Accepted as a BBBS Little
• Youth can also be referred by their school

School Buddies

The best place to help a child realize his/her potential is at school. Kids enjoy having their Bigs meet with them there, whether it’s in the classroom or on the playground. Whether you play board games or read the newspaper together, your relationship promotes a positive school experience for the child: good attendance, positive peer and adult relationships, a positive attitude and academic enrichment.

Whether it’s reading a book, eating lunch, or shooting hoops, School Buddies is really about starting a friendship, providing guidance, and inspiring children to reach their full potential.

Volunteers and children meet once a week during the child’s 45 minute lunch break, utilizing resources available within the school: computer labs, the library, the gym, a classroom, or the playground. 

Real Men Read

The Real Men Read program matches male volunteers with an elementary school of their choosing. Four to five times throughout the school year, these men read to a second or third grade class

Why be a Real Men Read Volunteer?

• Through 3rd grade, students are learning to read; after 3rd grade, students are reading to learn.
• In Allen County, more than 1,000 third graders do not pass the literacy portion of ISTEP and experts estimate that 74% of these children never catch up.
• Less than half of low income boys in Allen County are passing 3rd grade reading compared to 61% of low income girls
• Boys will see men model the importance of reading and all students will see positive role models
• Students listen to a fluent reader and follow along, improving their own reading skills
• Each student receives books to build their own home library

For more information call (260) 456-1600

Learning Pods

A We know that Covid-19 is taxing on families working every day while taking on the added responsibility of being a teacher too. We want to help change that. We're excited to offer you the opportunity to bring your child to the facility to receive help with their e-learning at NO COST TO YOU. We're calling this 100% FREE program "Learning Pods." For more info, email Jaren Harmon at [email protected]

First Mentors

First Mentors is a program focused on introducing high school students to volunteering and mentoring while also engaging our Littles waiting for Big. First Mentors is a bi-weekly after school activity that matches high school students with elementary-aged Littles.

One-time Volunteer Opportunities

BBBSNEI now offers one-time volunteer opportunities! Some of these opportunities are being a driver for our Littles, chaperoning First Friends activities, volunteering at our special events, AND MORE.