Mentorship

A: For over 100 years, JBBBSLA has provided professionally-supported, free, one-to-one mentoring for Jewish youth, ages 6 and older, who could benefit from an additional committed, attentive, and positive adult role model. We also offer the Teen Talk app, college guidance and scholarships, and own and operate Camp Bob Waldorf.

A: Our Bigs are caring, trusted, dynamic, Jewish volunteers ages 21 or older who have a variety of personal and professional experiences. We conduct extensive background checks and interviews to ensure the quality of our mentors and to provide the best match possible.

A: We are honored to have wonderful mentors of all ages. However, for more mature mentors the wait is generally longer. Since our ability to match any given volunteer is tied to the needs and requests of our pool of mentees (“Littles”), we sometimes close the Bigs’ wait list when we determine we would be unable to make a match within a reasonable time frame. Please consult our enrollment team for the current status.

A: Our Littles are Jewish youth, ages 6-17, who could benefit from an additional committed, attentive, and positive adult role model. Our Littles are children who are being raised by single or same-sex parents, have siblings with special needs, are living with a grandparent or other guardian, have experienced significant loss, or are otherwise in need of additional support they may not get anywhere else.

A: Bigs must commit to a minimum of one year, though we encourage matches to continue as long as they are mutually rewarding and beneficial to the child.

A: Bigs and Littles meet twice a month, and outings average 2-3 hours each.

A: What Bigs and Littles do varies widely depending on their shared interests. Examples range from riding bikes to baking cookies, shooting hoops or sharing a meal, visiting a museum or going to a movie, attending a sports event or sharing a community service experience. Bigs and Littles can also participate in agency-sponsored events or small group outings with other matches, a wonderful way to expand their connections to the Jewish community.

A: Bigs pay for most of the independent match activities they choose. However, we strongly encourage outings that are free or modestly priced. In addition, JBBBSLA helps minimize the cost of your outings. We sponsor free program events and smaller group activities approximately monthly (some targeting specific age groups), and we also offer subsidized match outing opportunities several times per year for each match. We do all we can to make this affordable for everyone!

A: Matches make their schedule based on what works for them. Some prefer weekend get-togethers; others may choose to combine one longer weekend activity with a brief weeknight outing (such as dinner or yogurt). Create whatever plan works for you and the family!

A: The only people who should go on your outings with your Little should be those in the match party. If you are matched one-to-one, then only you should participate; if you are in a couples match, then only the two in the match party should attend. As the relationship grows, Bigs and Littles generally get to meet and know each other’s family members, and enjoy time together on occasion. However, the priority is for each Little to be the focus of the relationship and to know that time with the Big(s) usually belongs to them.

A: JBBBSLA prepares all volunteers through a combination of one-to-one discussions, web-based materials, live group training sessions and ongoing coaching opportunities. We are here to support you throughout the process!

A: After you complete the online questionnaire with your basic information, we will contact you to discuss overall eligibility and schedule your in-person interview, during which we’ll ask questions that help us get to know you and understand your goals for being a Big. After we conduct a background check and speak with your references, the enrollment team will review your full application and make an approval decision.

A: The child’s parent or guardian completes an online questionnaire and provides the child’s basic information. One of our staff then contacts the parent or guardian by phone to provide an orientation to the program and learn more about the child’s needs, in order to assess whether having a Big through JBBBSLA will be a good fit for the child. Assuming so, we’ll schedule an in-person assessment with both the parent or guardian and child to learn more about how we can serve their needs and interests.

A: The time it takes to be matched depends on many factors. While we seek to match those first who have been waiting longest, our primary focus is compatibility and our priority is to create the most successful matches. Our Littles have a range of needs, interests and preferences, so a Big’s wait time is largely contingent upon the unique pool of Littles waiting to be matched.

A: JBBBSLA serves the entire Greater Los Angeles area, but we strongly consider geographic proximity when making matches. Most often, Bigs will pick up and drop off their Littles, but some parents are able to help with transportation when distances are greater. When we offer you a match, we will confirm you are comfortable with the proximity.

A: You are never alone as a JBBBSLA Big! Our professional Match Support Specialists are there every step of the way to help guide you through any challenge, big or small.

A: Mentoring can have a significant positive impact on a child’s life, including increased school engagement and self-esteem, stronger social skills, greater concern for others, and less risky behavior.

A: Our mentors frequently tell us that the mentoring experience is not just fun, but life-changing. In fact, they often comment that they believe they get as much out of it (or more) than their Little. Recent research shows that mentoring someone can reduce overall stress levels and raise overall well-being for the volunteer!