Thank you for your interest!
The guidelines for accepting volunteers is as follows: Each volunteer will go through an easy, but thorough screening process by the agency (free of charge). RBBBS welcomes all generations of volunteers age 18 and older, of all ethnic backgrounds, single and married, to apply. We just ask for volunteer's to possess a valid driver's license,(if community based)auto insurance and a functioning vehicle.

How to Apply

Start by reading these guidelines

1. Download the application at the bottom of the page
2. Save the file; complete it and save it again
3. When complete, email it to cynthiaosband@rbbbs.org OR print it and mail it, fax it or drop it off.

The Process (all free of charge)

Attend a Volunteer Orientation, at which you will learn more about the program and will be given an application packet.

1. The Agency reviews your Volunteer Application.
2. The Agency conducts reference and background checks
3. You will engage in a Personal Interview with one of our Enrollment Specialists at the agency, either in your home or at our office
4. You will be contacted by letter concerning your acceptance into the program.
5. You will be matched with a child based on compatibility factors, including preferences, shared Interests, personalities, background, your strengths and the needs of the child.




Match Support & Training

Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters requires each new volunteer to commit to staying in communication with his/her Match Support Specialist on the agency staff. This communication involves phoning, emailing or meeting in person with the assigned staff member regarding any problems or concerns with their match, any new contact information, or any life change that would affect the match. The required communication also calls for the Big to respond to his/her Match Support Specialist's phone calls and emails to monitor and support the match. The job of agency Match Support Specialists is to enhance the quality of each match. Their job is also to monitor matches for safety purposes through effective communication with all parties and through coaching and individual as well as small group training of Bigs. Bigs can also access some very helpful training material located under a separate tab called Volunteer Training. Furthermore, supplemental training opportunities led by community professionals will be offered during the year but not required.



Activities

Volunteers in the Community-Based Program spend 1 - 2 hours per week of focused, one-on-one time with their Little Brother or Little Sister for at least a year, often more. (Time amounts to about an outing a week.) Spending time both at the volunteer's home and out in the community is encouraged.

In Bigs Plus, mentors who have been meeting in local schools can expand their involvement (with a little additional screening) to occasionally pick up their Littles to go on outings in the community, on a flexible schedule. This program is an effective and enjoyable way for matches to meet at school, with the added benefit of broadening their activities outside of school, but without the same requirements of our Community-Based Program.

In Mentoring Children of Prisoners, each volunteer is matched with a child who has an incarcerated parent. This is primarily a community-based program. However, some matches will meet as Bigs Plus matches.

In Sports Buddies, Bigs and Littles concentrate their activities on sports and physical fitness, including working out, talking about healthy lifestyle and nutrition, spending time outdoors, playing sports, and attending sporting events.

In the Hispanic Mentoring Program, volunteers mentor Hispanic children who meet the same eligibility criteria as for the traditional Community-Based Program. It is preferred, but not required, that volunteers in this program are bi-lingual.