Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Ventura County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is based on a belief in the potential value of one-to-one regular contact between a mature adult volunteer and a child from a single-parent family. Each volunteer pursues the goal of providing direction, companionship and recreation, and develops in the child a positive self-attitude, and an acceptance of responsibility.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County's vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all.

Description:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County would like to bring a little magic into your life.

Think back when you were younger; other than your parents, who touched your life in some simple but special way? Who was that person you always remember with a smile? Maybe it was your Aunt who taught you her "secret" recipe, or your next door neighbor who let you help him fix his car. Or maybe it was someone who took you to a ball game, or taught you how to play "chopsticks", or showed you how to catch fireflies in a jar. Maybe it was someone who just included you in an everyday activity because it was fun-for both of you.

What is universal about being a Big Brother or Big Sister is that most Bigs start out thinking that they will give something back, yet most end up saying, "I get back as much or more than I give. As a Big, you are simply a friend. It's not about taking time out of your life, but simply about bringing a child alongside it.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County offers the following programs for bringing magic into your life:

Community Based Mentoring with children from single-parent families between the ages of 6-14 with a one-year commitment or once a week contact with their Little.

School-Based Mentoring that is an after-school program in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Thousand Oaks,Newbury Park with high-school students, college students and adult volunteers working with elementary aged youth where volunteers assist with academics and a variety of recreational activities at least once a week.

Lunch-time Buddies Mentoring matches an interested adult volunteer with a child attending Manzanita Elementary School in Newbury Park every Thursday from 11:30-1:00pm (when school is in session). Spend time together playing board games, participating in recreational sports, using the computer lab, or just talking and getting to know each other.

Foster Youth Mentoring where adult volunteers, age 21 and older are matched with a youth living in a foster or group home, assisting them to reach both their academic and personal goals, as well as having fun with one another on a weekly basis.

For most programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters are individuals, age twenty-one or older, married or single, who agree to have weekly contact for at least one year with their assigned child. They provide positive role modeling and give children expanded horizons through friendship. They are screened, interviewed, and are provided with an orientation and training before being matched by the agency's professional staff. After the match with the Little Brother of Little Sister, there is continuous back-up support available from the staff and other professional resources. There is also an agency sponsored monthly special activity where all Bigs and Littles come together to share an exciting activity.

Application for a Big Brother or Big Sister is made by the parent or legal guardian of a child. There is an interview of both the child and the parent/guardian. The match is made by careful analysis of the personalities, interests, expectations, needs, and geographical proximity of the adult and the child.

There is no fee for our service. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is partially funded by United Way, with the remainder of funds coming from private donations, foundations, grants, and fund-raising events.

Volunteers are also needed to provide support at local fund-raising events and special monthly events for current Bigs and Littles who are in a matched friendship.

President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush indicate "that a patriotic way to serve America is to mentor a child." BE A FRIEND..BE A MENTOR...JUST BE THERE...

History:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County was founded in 1970, and is one of the 508 affiliated programs nationwide that form the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. It is the only preventative program of its kind in Ventura County.

Contact people:

Monica Apodaca, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Lynne West, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Terri Felix, Marketing Director, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (805) 484-2282
Office fax number: (805) 484-3859

Address:

445 Rosewood Ave., Suite Q Camarillo, CA 93010 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bbsvc.org

Directions:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is located conveniently close to the 101 Freeway in Camarillo, CA. To reach the office, you would exit at Las Posas exit and turn right (if traveling North; turn left over the freeway. . . (more)

Last updated on March 16, 2010