Is my child eligible?

Below are the eligibility requirements for a child to participate as a Little in BBBSC’s Community-based or Sports Buddies programs. 

Youth must be between the ages of 9-17 years old at the time of enrollment.
Youth can stay in the program through high school and beyond if all match parties are still engaging and participating in their match relationship.

We prioritize youth who are from a single-parent household, kinship care, or are from a nontraditional household.
Youth who have an absent parent in their lives (may see them infrequently or just a few times a year) are our priority when matching them with a mentor. Do you think a child may benefit from a mentor but  does not meet this qualification? Please complete an application and we will work you to determine eligibility.

Youth are low-income or facing adversity.
We determine this by whether they receive free or reduced lunch at school. Should a youth meet other requirements but does not qualify for free or reduced lunch, you may contact us at the email or phone number below to discuss the  circumstances and see if an exception can be made.

Youth and family are interested in participating in the program.
Not only is your child’s participation and interest key in a successful match, so is the family's commitment to the program.

Youth who are in the right place to start the program.
We know families have a lot going on, and we also know our most successful matches are with those families who are in a relatively stable environment. If a child has recently suffered a loss or trauma, or the family is currently dealing with a crisis, we may need to refer a family to other services before introducing a mentor into their lives. Feel free to discuss a family's situation with us before referring them to the program to determine if it is a good time.

Have questions? Please click the "Youth Referral Form" button below.