A mentoring program that matches a volunteer with a school age child for one half hour each week during the school day. Despite the short amount of time invested, research shows that school- based mentoring makes an impact.

Teachers reported that children showed improvements in overall academic performance (specifically in science and written and oral language skills); quality of class work; number of turned in assignments and serious school infractions (principal’s office visits, fighting and suspensions) as compared to their non-mentored peers.

Volunteers may come to any of 17 Topeka schools including: Avondale East, Bishop, East Indianola, Highland Park Central, Lundgren, Mater Dei, McClure, Pauline Central, Pauline South, Quincy, Quinton Heights, Randolph, Ross, Scott Magnet, Tecumseh North, Wanamaker, and Williams Magnet. Volunteers come to the school, sign in and meet while their student eats lunch, just 30 minutes each week. Starting in 2008, we will help those relationships to stay in touch during the summer even though they can't meet every week.

It is really easy to be a volunteer in Bigs in Schools. Call Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Topeka at 234-5524. We will mail you an application and answer any questions you have. The application is short and it lets you specify what schools you are interested in and what days of the week you are available. We ask for two references on your application. On the back side we ask that you complete our KBI check information. Once we get your application back and run the child safety checks and call two references we will call you for a short interview/orientation. After those steps you will be ready to be matched with a student. We ask that volunteers be committed to coming weekly. We welcome all individuals who want to volunteer.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Topeka, Inc.

Volunteers will work with the following groups

Children (5-12) Students

We need volunteers who are free at these times

Weekdays Weekly

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers

Adolescents (13-17) Adults (55+) Adults (26-54) Young Adults (18-25)

This volunteer opportunity addresses the following social interests

Children & Youth Mentoring Services Education & Technology Poverty Literacy

Contact Person:
Sheryl Colcher, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

View all agency contacts

Address:

1119 SW 10th, Ste. 3 Topeka, KS 66604 (See a map)

Directions:

Corner of 10th and Buchanan. Three blocks east of Stormont-Vail Hospital.   Nearest Bus Stop: 10th and Buchanan, 1 minute walk

Web Site: http://www.bbbstopeka.com