Big Brothers Big Sisters/Maine Township Mentoring Program

(224) 257-4853 etoomey@mainetown.com 1700 Ballard Rd, Park Ridge, IL60068 mainetown.com/departments/mainestay/youth_mentoring.php
We are looking for volunteers, especially males, willing to give 3 hours of time a month to serve as mentors to youth ages 8-12 for our on-site evening mentoring program offered in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 6-7:30 pm in a structured group setting at the District 63 Family Resource Center (9000 Capitol Drive, Des Plaines), which is next door to the Maine Township Town Hall building.

Volunteers are matched with a child of the same gender. Activities are pre-planned by an experienced facilitator and take place in a group setting. Meetings consist of a combination of one-on-one time and group activities focused on the social and emotional development of youth. A small contribution of your time can change the course of a child’s life.

Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do—not to mention, one of the most fulfilling. You have the opportunity to help shape a child’s future for the better by inspiring positive change and empowering them to achieve what they never dreamed possible. And the best part is, it’s a lot of fun. Help start a Little on their path to big things!

Volunteers must meet the following criteria to be matched with a child in our program:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Meet residency criteria of being a US citizen for at least 1 year, legal resident for at least 2 years, or having a student/workers visa for at least 2 years
  • Be will to commit to a minimum of a 1 year relationship
  • Be willing to commit to attend, at a minimum, 80% of program sessions
  • Be willing to allow BBBS to conduct a thorough criminal background check and public domain search
  • Be willing to disclose and discuss current and previous medical and mental health conditions
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the volunteer mentor application.

For questions about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please contact Beth Juarez at juarez@bbbschgo.org. You may also contact Emily Toomey at etoomey@mainetown.com or 224-257-4853.