Dear Caregiver,
Your child can participate in Big Sister Association’s Workplace Mentoring Program at Boston Latin Academy. Please read the sections below to learn more about our program.
What is Big Sister Association’s Workplace Mentoring Program?
The Workplace Mentoring Program matches adult volunteer women mentors (Big Sisters) with girls (Little Sisters) in elementary to middle schools. The goal of the program is to provide girls with 1:1 attention, guidance, and friendship to help them reach their fullest potential. You do not have to pay a fee to have your child participate in the program – the program is free of charge. There is limited space in the program, filling out this form does not guarantee placement.
Who is eligible to be a Little?
The Workplace Mentoring Program matches volunteer mentors, “Big Sisters,” with girls in 8th grade at BLA as “Little Sisters.” The goal of this program is to provide girls with a new friend and extra attention in school and to help them reach their fullest potential.
How does the program work?
A Big Sister would meet with your child virtually twice a month throughout the academic school year starting in November. The program visits will occur every other Thursday. Big and Little Sisters are required to commit to the match until the end of the school year. Depending on your child’s interests and needs, these visits can consist of activities such as playing games, doing art projects, virtual trivia, participating in group Zoom activities, or just hanging out and talking virtually. Workplace Big Sisters are not permitted to visit their Little Sisters outside of school. A Big Sister staff person will provide ongoing support for the match, including correspondence with the caregiver in order to monitor progress and to make sure the child’s needs are being met. Caregivers are encouraged to contact the agency at any time to discuss the match. Visits will switch off between group Zooms with other Big and Little Sister matches in the program and one on one Zooms between the Big and Little Sister alone.
Who are the Big Sisters?
Big Sisters are employees at Edelman, a financial firm on State Street, are at least 18 years old and come from a range of backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. They are caring, motivated adults who enjoy spending time with kids and who want to help them excel. All Big Sisters are carefully screened and interviewed by our professionally trained staff before being matched with a youth. The screening process includes reference and criminal background checks (CORI/SORI) and a one-hour interview.
How will my child be matched with a Big Sister?
A Big Sister staff member will meet on Zoom to gather information regarding her interests, personality, strengths, needs and some basic family information. The staff person will also speak with school personnel to gain further information to assist us with the match process. The information will be shared with your child’s Big Sister to assist her with planning activities that will benefit and interest your child. Big Sister Association does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, sex, nationality, ability, age, gender identity, or gender expression. If you have preferences regarding the Big Sister who may be matched with your child, please include them on the attached permission slip. Big Sister Association will honor your preferences to ensure a meaningful and comfortable mentoring experience for you, your child, and the Big Sister.
When will this program begin?
The program starts November 2021. You will be contacted prior to the start to confirm your child’s participation.
What kind of program evaluation does Big Sister Association conduct?
We are committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible mentoring programs to children and we are continuously evaluating the effectiveness of our programs. With your permission, your child may be surveyed before she is matched and every school year thereafter for as long as she is matched with her Big Sister. Please contact us if you have any questions.
What if I have more questions?
Please call Karla Venegas at Big Sister Association at (617) 236-5344 or email
kvenegas@bigsister.org, or you can call your child’s school with any questions you have. Karla will follow up with you after the interview.
About Our Big Sisters
Based on years of extensive research, Big Sister Association requires our volunteers to be capable of the following commitments. Our professional staff work with volunteers to ensure these commitments can be met by providing coaching, training and activities to help Big Sisters develop in their role.
-Commit to the time requirement as Big Sister
-Commit to spending consistent, significant time with your Little Sister each month
-Follow all agency policies, procedures, and ground rules. Because child safety is a top priority, we consider violations of policies, procedures, and ground rules to be grounds for match suspension or termination.
-Maintain regular communication with Match Support staff, including returning all calls and emails. Failure to maintain contact may result in closure of the match.
-Participate in required surveys and assessments related to the match relationship and youth outcomes.
-Complete assigned training.
Research tells us that Little Sisters achieve greater results when their Big Sister….
-Emphasizes friendship over changing the behavior.
-Is not authoritarian.
-Decides activities together with Little Sisters.
-Is consistent & dependable.
-Has realistic expectations about the Little Sister.
-Is patient.
-Focuses on having fun.
-Sets boundaries and limits.
-Acknowledges that positive impact on the child comes after the relationship is built.
-Puts a child’s safety and well-being first.
-Helps form goals.
