"I don't have time. Being a "Big" is a lifetime commitment that will take up all of my spare time."

 You don't have to make a day of it. Just a few hours each week is all it takes to be a traditional "Big". We are flexible about your time commitment and we will match you to a child who can benefit from that. Our In-School Mentoring Program is perfect if you can spare one hour a week. Our Occasional big program requires only 3 or 4 outings per year.

 "Hey, I don't need a headache. All "Little's" are needy kids with behaviour problems or they're in trouble with the law. I don't have the skills to deal with that and I'm not a counsellor."

 Although each child in our program has a particular need for being involved with our agency, most of them do not have emotional or behavioural problems and they are rarely in trouble with the law. All these kids need is a consistent, reliable and trusted role model in their lives. We do not take childen who have severe emotional or behavioral problems.

 "I don't have enough money to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. I mean, it must get expensive."

 The focus of our program is low cost or no cost activities. You make plans with your "Little" according to your personal budget and shared interests. We encourage you to include your "little" in everyday activities like washing the car, going to the zoo or watching a movie at home. It is not about spending a lot of money. We are often the recipients of free event tickets and discount coupons and we encourage our membership to use them.

 "You're all there when it's sign up time, but once a match is made, I'm on my own."

 The staff at Big Brothers and Big Sisters supports and monitors each match. We stay involved to ensure the protection of our volunteers, children and families involved. We want to see the match continue and will do everything we can to ensure its success. Our professional staff are always just a phone call away. We have a specific schedule of when we need to talk to our "Bigs" and if we don't hear from you, we call you!

 I'm not athletic. I don't like sports. I'd be a lousy Big Brother/Big Sister!

 Not all children like sports either. We will match you on the basis of similar interests like computers, school related topics, science, and model building among other things.

 I'll step in and change this child's life overnight.

 As with all of us, change takes time. Studies have shown that while the impact of the program is tremendously beneficial, there isn't an overnight change. A recent study proved that matches lasting a year or less, had some influence. Matches lasting more than a year have a stronger, positive impact on both the "Big" and "Little".

All of the time I spend with my "Little" has to be one-on-one, just the two of us. I really don't want to exclude my spouse and children.

 Although we encourage some one-to-one time with your "Little", we also encourage you to include your "Little" in family activities. Many "Littles" have never been involved in a "healthy" family situation and this can be incredibly beneficial. We also do "Couple Matching", where a husband and wife can apply to be "Bigs" on their own but be matched together with only one child.