Right now there are about 600 kids on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) waitlist for mentors, and of those 600, nearly 70% of them are boys. Of course, there’s a lot that goes into that one statistic, but the short of it is that the kids on our waitlist would really love for more men in Indianapolis to step up as a Big Brother or Big Couple—and so would we.
Which is why at BBBSCI we’re about to kick-off our 100 Men in 50 Days campaign to highlight the specific value of male mentors both for kids and communities.
The Big Impact
There has been lots of research about the impact a Big can have in his or her Little’s life, and we think these studies pretty much speak for themselves. One study indicates that after about 18 months of spending time with their Bigs, compared to their peers not in our program, Little Brothers and Little Sisters were:
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class
- 33% less likely to hit someone
Those are powerful numbers that mean good things for our school systems and for the safety of our communities. But with 600 kids on a waitlist, that’s a lot of willing kids not receiving the benefits of having a Big. It’s also a lot of potential Bigs not receiving the benefits of having a Little.
Mentors don’t always think of the relationship in terms of what they personally get out of the experience. But, through research and anecdotal evidence, we know that being a mentor helps adults feel significantly more connected to their community. It’s also a great, low-pressure way to visit new places and try new things, and one of the best ways to pay it forward.
Not to mention you might be surprised how much you learn about yourself while you’re developing your own communication and leadership skills and increasing your awareness of cultural offerings and issues faced by our central Indiana communities.
It’s Flexible And Inexpensive
We understand that when we ask for our Bigs to see their Littles two to four times for a total of four to six hours a month, that it sounds like a lot. But the time you spend with your Little is extremely flexible and pretty much entirely on your own terms.
Our Bigs will tell you their Littles love doing simple things like going to the hardware store and playing catch or shooting hoops. And your budget is completely up to you. Many of our Bigs find ways to be with the Littles without spending any money.
We also make sure our potential Bigs know that being a Big doesn’t mean you need to be a CEO or a teacher or a social worker or a parent. You don’t need a fancy degree or to own a house or to wear suit to work. You just need to be willing to hang out with your Little and be a person they can count on.
Growing up isn’t easy, no matter what your background is—and as a mentor, you’re just helping a kid get through growing up. So, no reason to be an expert, and in fact, we’re always here to help when we can!
Find Out More
Find out more about BBBSCI and being a Big on our site www.BeBigForKids.org, or connect with me directly at 317.472.3730 or at jwilson@bbbsci.org to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about being a Big.
Also, we’ll be hosting a couple events as part of our 100 Men 50 Days campaign. On Monday, April 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Athenaeum will be a happy hour with an informational session. And on Wednesday, May 14 from 5-7 p.m. at Shallo’s Restaurant will be another happy hour and informational session. If you’re interested in either event, a quick email RSVP to me at jwilson@bbbsci.org would be greatly appreciated.
Jarod Wilson
BBBSCI Manager, Volunteer Outreach and Engagement
jwilson@bbbsci.org
317.472.3730
