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BBBS of Gallatin County
15 South 8th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59715
phone: 406-587-1216
[ email ]

Branch and Satellite Offices:

Big Sky Branch
45465 Gallatin Road
Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730
(406) 995-3411
[ email ]

Ennis
PO Box 57
Ennis, MT  59729
(406) 682-5681
[ email ]

Commitment Level: one school year, one hour a week (typically split up into two 30 minute sessions).

The following are the School-based Programs offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County:

	The America Reads Program

This program is a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Bozeman, and the Belgrade schools. Adult volunteers, 18-years old or older, come to the elementary schools in Belgrade to meet with a student twice a week for thirty minute sessions.  Matches spend one-to-one time together mostly working on reading related projects or improving the student's reading skills. They also build positive social relationships with each other through arts and crafts projects or conversation.

	The Mentors Program

This program was established in January 1995 at Monforton School.  The program was expanded into Gallatin Gateway School in September 2004.  Students from Bozeman Senior High School, in grades 11-12, are matched one-to-one with a student in grades K-8 at Monforton and Gallatin Gateway Schools.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays the high school mentors meet with their elementary students at Monforton, and on Mondays and Wednesdays they meet with their students at Gallatin Gateway.  Matches work on school assignments, read, talk, and play games.  This program also involves a variety of group projects including Bowl for Kids' Sake, Garden Day, a Holiday Party, and an end-of-the-year picnic.

	The Panther Pals Program

This program matches Belgrade High students, grades 10-12, with an elementary school student, grades 2-6 from one of the following schools: Heck, Quaw, Intermediate, or Ridge View. Matches meet for an hour a week and typically do school work together. Once a month, selected matches meet as a group to participate in a social activity do an art project together.

	The Rural Transition Program

This program is designed to assist rural students from small elementary schools in making a successful transition into Bozeman Senior High School.  This program works by engaging eighth graders from the outlying schools (Anderson, Gallatin Gateway, LaMotte, Monforton, and Ophir) in activities at Bozeman High.  Students from the Bozeman Senior High School, in grades 9-12, serve as mentors are matched one-to-one with an eighth grade student. The matches participate in 5-6 activities together throughout the school year. Through the activities, the mentors can introduce eighth graders to other students, answer questions about high school, and generally act as a friend and resource at the High School.

	Enrollment Process

1. Application: Complete the on-line application for becoming either a volunteer in our America Reads Program or for becoming a high school volunteer in our Mentors, Panther Pals, or Rural Transition Programs.
2. Interview: Once your application is received, we will contact you to schedule an interview.  The interview will last about 1 hour and will be held at our office. However, other arrangements can be made if necessary.
3. Background Check: If you are 18-years old or older we will complete a background check, using information given on your application as part of the enrollment process.
4. References: We will contact two references that you provide us with.
5. Matching Process: Once you have completed the enrollment process, your file will be reviewed. We will notify you if you have been accepted into our program or referred to another agency. If you have been accepted, we will then contact you to tell you about a potential match. You are under no obligation to accept the child the agency proposes to you. If you accept and your match has been made at the beginning of the school year, we will notify you of any upcoming volunteer training sessions and match introduction sessions.  If you accept and your match has been made in the middle of the school year, we will arrange an individual time for you to meet your student.  You will then be officially matched, and may begin to meet every week.
6. Volunteer Training: The School-based programs offer group training sessions for all of the volunteers at the beginning of each school year.  Big Brothers Big Sisters' staff also checks in with each match on a monthly basis to assist with any questions or needs through out the school year.  Additional training or information can also be provided on an individual basis, as needed, throughout the year.