Once a match is made, professional caseworkers provide advice and support to help the match grow. Nearly five million children in the United States are growing up in need of adequate adult support. The children's socio-economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds are varied, but their needs are the same. To grow into healthy, productive members of their community, these children need additional adult companionship, guidance, and understanding. A Big Brother or Sister provides the friendship that makes a valuable difference in a child's life.
Volunteers usually commit to a few hours a week for at least a year.
The focus of the match is to spend quality time with a child and to make a positive difference in his or her life. For a list of the steps involved in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, click here. It provides activities to the children while they are waiting to be matched. Volunteers, who can spare a few hours a month, are also needed for this program. WKTV news anchor Susan Tran and sports anchor Ryan Nobles, host a weekly segment on the six o clock news featuring the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.