SERVICE AREA
SERVICE AREA
We serve youth across the greater Washington, DC region, including:
ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR FAMILIES
ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR FAMILIES
Our program is free for parents and caregivers. To enroll your child in our program, follow these steps:
1. Submit Application and Eligibility Form
Begin by completing the youth enrollment form and eligibility questionnaire. This gives us the necessary background to begin the matching process.
2. Parent/Guardian Training and Orientation
All parents or guardians must complete a 1.5-hour training session, either online at your convenience or through a monthly Zoom session hosted by BBBSNCA, before your child can be matched.
3. Interview and Compatibility Assessment
After we receive your materials, you and your child will be scheduled for an interview. This helps us understand your child’s interests and assess program fit and match compatibility.
4. Waitlist and Volunteer Availability
Please note: Interviews and matching are scheduled based on the availability of approved “Ready to Be Matched” volunteers in your area. Until then, your child will be placed on our waitlist with other potential Littles.
Please note: Acceptance into the program does not guarantee an immediate match.
FAMILY PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
FAMILY PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
Minimum Commitment
We enroll children between the ages of 6 and 15 years old. If accepted before their 16th birthday, they may remain in the program until age 18.
Frequency
Matches meet twice per month for a total of 4–8 hours.
Mentor Role
Bigs are mentors and role models—not babysitters, co-parents, or financial providers.
Transportation
Mentors (Bigs) are responsible for transporting Littles to and from outings. Bigs are not responsible for other transportation (e.g., school, extracurriculars). Parents/Guardians must be home at both pickup and drop-off.
Readiness
Please consider upcoming life changes (moves, new jobs, pregnancies, etc.) before enrolling. Stability and long term commitment are essential to avoid harm caused by short-term mentorship.
