Big Brothers Big Sisters in need of volunteer mentors

A love of anime helped change two lives.

When Rob Shonk decided to sign up to be a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, he was sent a questionnaire to help match him with a young person sharing similar interests. He wrote on the form that he was interested in anime, a popular form of Japanese animation.

His choice paired him with Sylias, a Franklin teen in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Five years later, the result has been overwhelmingly positive for both of them.

“I was really excited because I could finally talk about anime with somebody, another grown-up. It felt good,” Sylias said.

Sylias, 16, is one of dozens of Johnson County youths who have benefited from the Big Brother Big Sisters program. About 70 area children have been matched with a mentor who accompanies them for special events, unique activities and just to offer someone to talk to.

But so many more could benefit. Currently, 49 young people in Johnson County are waiting to be matched with a Big — 42 of those being boys. The need for mentors is only increasing. Those involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana are working to generate interest to be part of a life-altering experience.

“It’s a new lease on life. You get outside your box in a very good way. You can help someone who can help you back. In the end, it’s a very symbiotic relationship,” Shonk said.

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.

Research has shown that mentoring helps children achieve greater success academically, overcome behavioral issues and develop the confidence and vision that will provide a better future. After 18 months in the program, children are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol and 52% less likely to skip school, according to a study conducted by Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“We’re seeing bigger need for emotional support for young people in this current moment, but our program also helps kids academically, with behavior, developing social skills and the ability to explore what’s out there for them,” said Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. “People need people in their lives, and not everyone comes with the luxury of a lot of people who can look out for them.”

Organizers would like to see those benefits spread even further throughout the community, but a lack of mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana is constantly on the lookout for volunteer mentors to sign up. Enrollment campaigns and special events are planned year-round to bring in more potential Bigs.

In Johnson County, the hope is to be able to serve about 80 children this year, though the organization is about 10 mentors short of that goal.

“We’re really, really hoping to at least get enough adults signed up to be volunteers where we can match another 10 kids, if not by the end or the year, then at the very start of the new year,” Palmer-Shultz said.

For Shonk, the decision to be a Big was a spur-of-the-moment decision. He had been looking for ways to serve, and learned about the program.

“I joined on that whim that people do sometimes, and it worked out great,” he said.

Shonk contacted the organization by email, and started the process of being vetted as a mentor. He studied the requirements, went through interviews with staff members and took part in a group session for an orientation.

Part of the application process included an intensive questionnaire to find out Shonk’s interests. The anime portion proved to be the key in matching with Sylias.

“Both myself and him had put it, so the algorithm that matches people caught it,” Shonk said. “Unfortunately not a lot of people on the Big side put that down, even if that’s changing now. It was a big ask from the Littles, but not a big response from the Bigs, which made it difficult.”

Sylias had been in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for years, after his sister and brother had been Littles before him. His mother thought he’d benefit from being paired with a mentor as well.

His Big Brothers Big Sisters experience was delayed from the start. The lack of Bigs meant Sylias was on a waitlist for five months before a match was found for him.

But finally, he was introduced to Shonk — albeit virtually, as pandemic restrictions meant in-person meet-ups weren’t possible. Still, they connected online with Discord, an online platform where they could both watch anime together.

“I’d share my screen and we’d watch together the first few times,” Shonk said. “Once you’re into that world, there are so many different things to watch.”

Anime has become the cornerstone of their friendship. They’ve shared some of their favorite programs with each other, helping one another discover trendy new picks as well as revisiting classics of the genre.

But through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana program, they’ve had the opportunity to do a variety of unique activities arranged through the organization. They’ve been able to take advantage of special rates with the Indianapolis Zoo and Rascal’s Fun Zone, as well as a variety of other outdoor events.

Much of the time, they’re spending time together doing something simple, such as playing basketball or going to the movies.

The benefit for Sylias is having a grown-up to support him.

“For me, there are things that I won’t talk about with my friends, but I can talk to him about it,” he said. “I know I can be real. He’s helped me chase my dreams. When other people say you can’t do it, he says I can.”

Shonk’s kids are grown up, so being a mentor to Sylias has emerged as a brotherly relationship. He can answer Sylias’ questions about all kinds of things, and help him find answers if he doesn’t know himself.

He fully endorses the Big Brother Big Sisters opportunity.

“As long as you are open to it, I can’t think of anything that’s more rewarding in daily life,” he said.

How to get involved

Here is a look at some requirements and information about signing up to be a Big or Little in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program:

Requirements:

Be 19 years old or older

Be able to meet with a child four to six hours per month

Commit for at least a year

Must be willing to complete interview process, including background check

For complete volunteer requirements, go to bebigforkids.org/volunteer. For more information, contact Tabitha Sloane, volunteer outreach and engagement coordinator at [email protected] or 317-662-4989.

How to sign up to be a little brother or sister:

Anyone interested can go to bebigforkids.org to sign up online, or contact Casey Campbell-Thompson, senior director of enrollment and matching, at [email protected] or 317-472-3737.