Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area

I have to agree with the review below regarding the donations flyer. If you’re going to mail out flyers, please pick up on the date indicated. I, too, had to haul everything back inside and drive it to the Goodwill because no one from BBBS BA came to pick up the donations. The mailer indicated that there was a specific need for clothing and shoes and I had several items to donate (including new items with tags). Honestly, I wouldn’t have minded driving the donations to BBBS, but I received 3 – 4 mailers reminding me to put my donations out by 8am on a specified date. If you want to donate through the curbside pick-​up, just be warned that they likely won’t show up. I’m supportive of the work they do, but I just wish they were a bit more organized with the donation process.

I know in general the work this agency does and I applaud it. My problem is, they sent a flyer asking for donations of shoes, gently used clothing, etc, so I cleaned out my closets (including 8 pairs of shoes), set five large bags and a box out at 7 a.m. and it’s all still there at 5 pm. Now I have to haul it back in and take it to Goodwill. If these people want support, they should at least bestir themselves to make their pickups when they say they will. I better not be on their e-​mail list soliciting monetary donations because I don’t do business with people who can’t make their commitments.

I was looking forward to helping an underprivileged youth in the Bay Area by working with and under the guidance of this organization. They strung me along for a year with emails telling me about events with pictures of happy kids and happy bigs, so I didn’t look elsewhere for a place to donate my limited amount of free time. I also got emails requesting money on a regular basis.
Finally, they had me in for an interview. I spoke with them and things seemed to go well, to me at least. They called my references (family, friends, & work). Then they sent me a letter basically telling me that I wasn’t suitable for being a big brother.
Perhaps I answered a question wrong? If so, I don’t know what it could have been. In any case, the flood of emails asking me for money didn’t stop. Oh. wait…I *did* say that I’d prefer to help with my time and effort rather than my money alone. You know, hand-​up rather than hand-​out? Perhaps that’s what did it?
I suggest that if you want to help a kid, you may indeed be able to with this organization if you’re fortunate enough to pass whatever litmus test they apply. Give it a shot by all means. However, if you want to help with your wallet, I’m thinking that you should probably look elsewhere. They’re slow, bloated, and appear to me at least to be too money hungry for a non-​profit organization… which is disheartening.

I have been a Big Brother for over 4 years. The intake process was easy but included a fair amount of paperwork which I understand needs to be done to ensure a proper match and screen potential problems. BBBS asked many questions related to my interests and within a week, I was matched with my Little. They did an introduction meeting at their office to make sure it was a fit. They also do a monthly check-​in to see how things are going. Thing went fine the first 3 years with no real help from BBBS — we grew our relationship on our own. However, over the past 6 months as my little brother turned 14 and lost interest in the program, BBBS was not helpful and in fact confrontational with me. The coordinator assigned to me (about the 4^th one) was very junior and created a major mess of the situation. I read it costs $ 2000 per year per match to keep it going but can’t figure out where that money goes to — certainly not in helping the Bigs. I would give the program 4 stars as far as what I got out of the relationship with my little. But 0 stars as far as the support I received from BBBS.

Biased note: I’ve been a volunteer for 5-​plus years so you know I’m a fan of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization.
The application process is easy — you can do it online from the website and can keep correspondence with the local representative. Mine was Heather, a really nice social worker who made the process smooth and quick.
Quickie:
*You apply online, a rep will contact you.
*Go in for an interview
*Paired up with someone who could use a role model
*Brownie points for you, yayeah!

I have to give only 3 stars because when I called and tried to become a Big Sister I was told it was not possible because I am Caucasian. Sad.
I think that this is a great organization and I think what they are doing is important and great for communities/​youth.

BBBS is a great organization.
I haven’t volunteered with the SF chapter but I’m assuming their structure is fairly similar nationwide. You can get paired with kids individually and mentor them according to your schedule, or commit to a community site-​based visit schedule at their school. What better way to forget about your own concerns than to help out a kid who’ll look at you like you’re the best thing since baskin-​robbins?
And, should you wish to make a donation of money, their overhead is sub-​8%, which means 92 cents on your dollar actually goes to the kids you care about.
Now that’s a splurge I don’t mind making– and it feels a whole lot better than a new pair of shoes.