The Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for volunteers to act as Big Brothers and Big Sisters in site-based programs as well as the traditional community-based program.

The school-based programs will run throughout the 2007-2008 school year in Androscoggin, Oxford and southern Franklin counties, while the community-based program will serve children throughout Androscoggin and Oxford counties.

In the site-based programs, mentor coordinators will interview high school students who are interested in making a difference in the life of an elementary school child. Each volunteer will be trained before being matched with a child.

Matches will meet for one hour a week at the student’s school. During that time Big Brothers and Sisters will work with their Little Brother or Sister on school work, spend time playing games and talking to form bonds that help the child grow and develop positive attitudes.

In Lewiston there is also a need for adults who would like to be a positive role model for students in the middle school. Matches will meet for one hour a week at the middle school during the school year.

In the community-based program adults are matched with local children ages 7 to 12 and spend six hours a month together participating in a wide variety of activities that interest both Bigs and Littles as well as sharing life’s experiences and aspirations.

Diane Blanchard, community match coordinator, said there is a specific need for 10 Big Sisters in the Auburn and Poland area who would like to be matched with girls in the middle schools.

Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 782-5437 in Androscoggin and southern Franklin County and 743-7035 in Oxford County. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a program of the Child Health Center.