Members of Big for JoCo, a Leadership Johnson County group, meet with staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana inside their offices in Indianapolis. Big for JoCo launched a project to connect local businesses with Big Brothers Big Sisters, which wrapped up on April 15.
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For the past two months, a group of leadership students has helped to pair more Johnson County students with mentors to support them.
One final push will celebrate some of those successes — and encourage even more mentors to sign up.
Big for JoCo, a group project of Leadership Johnson County, will host a free social from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Taxman Brewing Co., 13 S. Baldwin St., Bargersville. The group has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana on the organization’s Rally for MENtors: 300 Men in 3 Months campaign to sign up more adult mentors.
During the Johnson County Social, participants can enjoy drinks and appetizers, network with other Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers and get pictures with Rowdie of the Indianapolis Indians.
Most importantly, people can take the opportunity to change a child’s life through support and encouragement.
“Being part of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission in Johnson County has been impactful for us, as we recognize that our efforts directly benefit children in need of mentorship within our community,” said Cindy Schaefer, a member of Big for JoCo. “We believe that every child deserves a positive role model, and we’re honored to contribute to this cause.”
Big for JoCo is a project of this year’s class of Leadership Johnson County’s Signature Program. Participants in the program meet once a month to focus on different aspects of leadership. The centerpiece of the program is the group project. In the first month, participants break off into small groups, with each team required to envision and enact a project that would benefit the community.
Group members for Big for JoCo focused on supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters due to their experience as mentors and working with youth.
“My Little has had such an impact on my life that it was one of the organizations I pitched to our group,” Meaghan Rysdale, a member of the group and a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, said in February. “The group decided it was a great cause.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national organization that pairs children in need with adult role models. They meet for about five hours each month, doing activities such as hiking, playing sports, fishing and going to the movies. Bigs help them with homework, or just hang out and talk with them.
Potential Bigs must be 19 years old or older, be able to meet with a child on average two to four times a month for a minimum of four hours per month and commit to the program for at least a year. Applicants must be willing to complete an interview process, which includes a background check.
Throughout the Big for JoCo campaign, participants from Leadership Johnson County visited various businesses and corporations throughout Johnson County to connect those businesses with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. That connection included coordinating a presentation with their employees to become Bigs; offering event space for activities for matches; or donating free or discounted tickets to events for matches.
The results were significant over the two-month campaign.
Working with entities throughout the county, Big for JoCo group members secured more than 20 volunteer recruitment introductions or presentations. They arranged more than 15 discount partnerships, and were able to get at least six in-kind donations of event spaces to accommodate Bigs and Littles, Rysdale said.
Thursday’s event will celebrate those successes and help maintain momentum for mentor sign-ups moving forward.
IF YOU GO
Big for JoCo Johnson County Social
What: A celebration event marking the close of the Big for JoCo campaign, an effort by Leadership Johnson County students to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana and help encourage more volunteer mentors to sign up.
When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Taxman Brewing Co., 13 S. Baldwin St., Bargersville
Cost: Free
How to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-for-mentors-in-johnson-county-tickets-856420495757
