Children’s Programming

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Boston (JBBBS) aims to transform lives through one-to-one relationships. JBBBS’ comprehensive mentoring program pairs children aged 7-18 with a Big who provides role-modeling, encouragement, and friendship.

Each year, JBBBS serves nearly 200 children and teens from more than 90 towns in Greater Boston, including Metrowest, and the North and South Shores. JBBBS supports children and their whole families providing financial support, camp and college scholarships, coaching, referrals to other social services agencies and holiday programming.

JBBBS staff are here to support our participants and their families through every step of their participation with us. Our staff are deeply involved in selecting the best matches for our participants and volunteers so that everyone will have a meaningful and impactful experience. JBBBS clinical match specialists (CMS) are there throughout the process through monthly phone and e-mail check-ins and are always available to address any questions or concerns that may pop up. They remain available to help volunteers brainstorm activities and to field questions and concerns as they arise.

JBBBS clinical match specialists are all Master’s level clinicians who are experienced in supporting the whole family and making sure their collective needs are met. If a participant has a guardian, they may be actively involved in the process of identifying a right-fit volunteer for the participant. And, in addition to monthly phone check-ins with parents and guardians, our team of dedicated Programs staff remains available to the participant’s family through the duration of the match, offering short-term counseling and referrals to support services as needed. Financial assistance is also available to qualifying families experiencing economic hardship.

JBBBS programs serve Jewish and non-Jewish families from a variety of life circumstances. We work with kids from single- and two-parent families of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Some may be going through challenging times: struggling socially or academically, confronting their own (or a parent’s or sibling’s) disabilities or medical or mental health concerns. Others are new immigrants to the United States and working hard to get adjusted to life in Greater Boston. Some have experienced a recent (or not so recent) divorce and, some, the death of a parent or sibling.

How do Bigs and Littles pass their time?
Bigs and Littles have interests as diverse as they are. What they do when they get together all depends on their hobbies and interests (and, of course, mom/dad/guardian’s ok). Sports fanatics play sports. Arts enthusiasts make crafts and visit museums.
How much does it cost to participate?
For the child/teen (and their family) absolutely nothing. And to off-set costs to volunteer, we organize monthly match activities.
Can I participate if I’m not Jewish?
Yes! We have deep, proud ties to the area Jewish community – and we’re also a fully inclusive agency. Our children, families, volunteers, donors, staff and board members hail from a huge variety of religious affiliations – and, some, none at all.
Suppose it’s important to me (or my child) that they be matched to someone of the same religious affiliation. Then what?
Then we’ll try. Sometimes children, families and volunteers tell us they’re choosing us precisely because we’re Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters. If that’s the case, we attempt to honor your preferences.
How long does it take to be matched?
Here, match-making is about the number of children and volunteers in our pipeline, surely, but it’s also more importantly about fit. We take into account things like geography, a child/volunteer’s preference for a match with a certain background or experience or one who shares a favorite hobby. And we evaluate how the personalities of prospective Bigs and Littles mesh. The average wait for a BIG is 3 - 6 months. Your clinical match specialist will check in with you from time to time if you’re awaiting a match.
My child’s got me! Could they still benefit from involvement in the program?
You bet. A mentor is a real gift to a child – even one with supportive parents. The mentor is another caring, supportive grown-up eager to lend a voice to yours and encourage your child to realize their fullest potential.
How long do Bigs and Littles stay matched?
We ask all volunteers to commit to at least a year with the same Little. That said, it’s a pretty great program so Bigs and Littles tend to stay matched for some time. It’s not universally the case, sure, but lots of mentoring-friendships that start here last. (Our average length of match is 41 months.) In fact some of our Bigs and Littles stick together until the Little ages out of the program, remaining in touch as the child grows up, pursues college and career and beyond.
What happens if it’s not working out and the Big or Little wishes to end the match relationship?
Our dedicated Programs team – especially the clinical match specialist assigned to the match – is always available to help troubleshoot challenges and address concerns as they arise. They are even available to confer with either Big or Little if – however rarely – a match isn’t a right fit or one or the other realizes they need to end the match.
Child safety?
The safety of our Littles are of paramount concern, which is why our staff – all staff – are trained in abuse prevention, detection and reporting. It’s why our largest team is comprised of dedicated, Master’s level clinicians whose job it is to work closely to screen volunteers. It’s why a clinician is assigned to each Big/Little match, conferring with child, parent and volunteer around safety, fielding questions, troubleshooting concerns.

And it’s why the agency conducts a series of ongoing background and driving record checks on all staff, board and volunteers.

For specific information about safety standards in our Children’s Programs, contact us.