At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) we’re right in the middle of our 100 Men in 50 Days campaign to recruit more male mentors, and I already feel like I need to explain myself.
It’s true. We’d really like to get more men on board as Bigs. We’d really like to get more women on board, too. This particular campaign is structured to help close the gap in male mentors, not to discredit or discount the need for more women.
In fact, not so long ago we added the opportunity to join BBBSCI as a Big Couple (both straight and gay relationships are welcomed and encouraged!), and now we’re happy to tell everyone that we’ve opened the opportunity to be Big Friends.
We do everything we can to make sure you know that being a Big is flexible. Sure, we have guidelines for what a good month might look like for you and your Little. But trust us, we get that a good month isn’t always a normal month.
We’re here for you every step of the way to answer questions, give suggestions, even to step in and help out if you need us to.
Here are a couple stories about current BBBSCI Bigs and Littles. If you love them, there are plenty more on our site.
Sign up to be a Big now! You can change a kid’s life – and your own – by just showing up a few hours a month.
Big Couple Gwen & Bryan Langley & Little Brother Kennedy
Matched August 31, 2011
Gwen and Bryan Langley were looking for a way to get connected and engaged in the community after moving back to Indianapolis. They attended the BBBSCI graduation event, Celebrate Mentoring, and were inspired by the stories they heard from the Bigs and Littles who were graduating from the program.
They signed up to mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Big Couple and were matched with their Little Brother, Kennedy, in 2011.
Kennedy has since become a part of the family, hanging out with Gwen and Bryan’s two sons, Ellis and James, and looking to Gwen and Bryan for support through challenges with academics and peer relationships.
Kennedy shares, “I would not have been able to get through certain things. Through the struggles with school and friendships – they’ve taught me to be myself. It feels better to know you have someone to talk to and open up to. I’ve learned it’s okay to be yourself. To get past all of the negatives and focus on the positives.”
According to Gwen, “I’m impressed by the concerted effort by his mom to identify mentors in his life. At the end of the day, kids need positive role models. We all did – we all had them. Initially, when you hear about the opportunity to mentor, you think that you don’t have the time, but no one does. You prioritize and make it a priority. Whether it’s a small thing or a big thing, just show up, be there, do something.”
Big Couple Jason Handberg & Chris Warren & Little Brother Maurice
Matched March 16, 2015
Big Couple Jason Handberg and Chris Warren were recently matched with their Little Brother, Maurice, in March of 2015. Although they have only been matched with Maurice for a month, the three have formed a close friendship and his mother quickly realized that both Big Brothers have a lot to offer her son.
Chris loves playing video games just like Maurice and Jason is skilled at math, which happens to be where Maurice would like extra help! Recently, the three enjoyed lunch and playing games at Dave & Busters and they look forward to more adventures together as their match relationship develops.
