Become a Big Buddy
Making an Impact
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Big Buddy at the Buddy Program. Through your dedication as a volunteer mentor, you can make an impact in a child’s life and our community as a whole!
To become a Big Buddy, there is a process of applying, interviewing, screening and training to ensure that you have the best possible match with a Little Buddy
Requirements:
- Live in the Roaring Fork Valley for 1 or more years
- For our Community Program and School-based Program, you must be 18 years or older. To get involved in our Peer-to-Peer Program, please contact your School Counselor
- For more information, refer to the Volunteer Guidelines (PDF - 420 kb)
Step 1: Review our website and/or talk to our Program Coordinators/Case Managers to figure out which program is best suited for you.
Step 2: Fill out the Big Buddy Application Form online or the PDF version (PDF - 320kb). You may mail the application to our Aspen or Basalt Offices.
Step 3: Interview. Once we have received your application, one of the Case Managers will be calling you to schedule a personal interview.
Step 4: After the interview, the Buddy Program conducts 3 criminal background checks:
- Fingerprint search with Colorado Bureau of Investigation ($32.50)
- Statewide Automated Child Welfare Database search through CDHS ($33.00)
- National background screening through Intellicorp ($14.65).
The total amount is $80.15. We ask all volunteer applicants to make a contribution (through TowerCare) to help offset the cost of this screening process. The suggested donation is $25.
Step 5: References. Your Case Manager will make three telephone reference calls and ask for three letters of reference. These letters can be mailed or e-mailed to your Case Manager.
Step 6: Training. All of our Big Buddies are asked to attend a two-hour training session before they begin with their Little Buddy and one follow-up training after a year of being matched with their Little Buddy. The trainings are very thorough and provide the opportunity to answer any further questions or concerns. Your Case Manager will send you an email to let you know when and where the training is taking place.
Step 7: Pairing! Once a volunteer has been interviewed, screened, and trained, our Case Managers will work on pairing them with a Little Buddy. Buddies are paired based on interests, age and gender.
Have fun with your new Buddy!
Big Buddy Forms (Also at Big Buddy Resources)
Big Buddy Application Form On-line
Big Buddy Application Form Big Buddy Volunteer Guidelines Guidelines, Policies and Procedures - English Guidelines, Policies and Procedures - Spanish
Testimonials about why several of our current Big Buddies wanted to volunteer:
"Being a Big Buddy in the School-based Program is a simple way to help and support a local child with a consistent schedule!" - School-based Big Buddy in Aspen
"I have two children in college but I wanted to stay involved in a younger person's life." - Community Big Buddy in Basalt
"I had a good friend who was a Big Buddy, and I wanted to take part in the joy that he gets from spending time with a child and the Buddy Program!" - Community Big Buddy
"I was nervous about the time commitment but I talked to a friend and realized that 1 to 2 hours a week is totally do-able and I want to give back to our community" - Community Big Buddy.
“We (my Little Buddy and I) get together once a week. We do homework, hang out, go on hikes, camp out and play Frisbee golf. He's my most fun day of the week.”
- Peter Waanders, Big Buddy
“On the Outward Bound trip with my Big Buddy, I learned a lot about myself. This was a chance where I let my strength shine in and really demonstrate what I am made of. I feel like a brand new person knowing what I am capable of achieving things despite my fear, knowing things will be okay and people will be there. I am not alone - I have my Big Buddy who I can always turn to. Thank you.”
- Claritza, Little Buddy and Outward Bound Participant
