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What is BBBS?

The „Big Brothers Big Sisters" program is one of the oldest, best known and most effective youth mentoring programs in the world. It is a unique program whose success is based on a professionally supported stable one to one relationship between a child in need and adult volunteer.

Mission

The mission of „Vilnius Big Brothers Big Sisters" is to promote, implement and develop the idea of an adult volunteer individually helping a child in Vilnius and Lithuania.

History

„Big Brothers Big Sisters" started in 1904 in the United States. Its main goal was to help young people who were socially neglected and needed a stable and positive adult role model.

The „Big Brothers Big Sisters" program came to Lithuania in 1995. It was initiated by the „Open Society Fund - Lithuania" and began in Vilnius.

Currently the program is operating in communities and schools across Lithuania.

Basis of the Program

All children need someone who listens, understands, is supportive and can teach how to behave in various situations in life. In the BBBS program, the volunteer, the „Big" becomes such a person.

The basis of the „Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lithuania" program is the professionally supported relationship of an adult volunteer and a child, which helps strengthening the child, fosters the child's self-confidence and ability to interact positively with others, as well as care for oneself and others.

The „Big Brothers Big Sisters" Match

The Big and Little meets regularly. The BBBS Friendship Agreement is signed for one year. After one year, the Agreement is either extended for another year or ended upon agreement of the child, volunteer, child's parents or guardians and the program coordinator.

What do Bigs and Littles do?

  • Talk;
  • Go for walks in the city;
  • Draw, write lines of poetry, sculpt clay;
  • Bake cakes or make sandwiches;
  • Throw hoops, go to the swimming pool, ride bikes and skate;
  • Go to the movies, theater or ballet;
  • Just look at the sky and do nothing.

A „Big Brothers Big Sisters'" match is carefully monitored and professionally supported by rigorous standards and trained BBBS coordinators.

Participation in the BBBS program is free of charge for the child and volunteer.

Sponsors

  • Carnegie Social Initiative;
  • Municipal Government of Vilnius;
  • TEO LT;
  • Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor;
  • Agency for International Youth Partnership;
  • Lithuanian citizens who allocated 2% of their income tax to the Center.

Interested in Participating?

If you would like to participate in the „Big Brothers Big Sisters" program please call, write or visit. Volunteers and those interested in helping children are welcome. Children who want a Big brother or Big sister are welcome. Parents whose children need a real friend are invited. Please see contact information below.

Contact us

Jūratė Čižauskaitė, „Big Brothers Big Sisters" program Director
Telephone: 8 61122612; 8 5 2728104
Email: jurate@bbbs.lt
Address: Bebrų str. 2 - 46, Vilnius

Reports

BBBS report, year 2008

e-solution: Andrius Paurys   
   © VšĮ Paramos vaikams centras 2010