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 has launched a project to connect local businesses with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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The impact of adult mentors on the lives of young people is well-established.
Mentoring helps children achieve greater success academically, overcome behavioral issues and develop the confidence and vision that will provide a better future, according to research conducted by the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. 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.
But throughout Johnson County, more than 50 young people find themselves waiting for a life-changing match through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Part of the problem as to why they can’t get matches in Johnson County is that people are not familiar with it,” said Meaghan Rysdale, a volunteer for the program. “We want to get as many kids off the wait list.”
Leadership Johnson County is teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana to recruit more participants to the program. Starting Thursday and extending through April 15, the Big for JoCo campaign will focus on reaching out to businesses and corporations throughout the county to secure new event and activity partnerships for mentors and their Littles.
“Leadership Johnson County is excited to partner with Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Indiana and provide our support for their crucial mission — to make sure that every young person knows that they have another person to support and stand alongside them,” said Tandy Shuck, executive director of Leadership Johnson County.
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, though, 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. Past examples of projects that have endured include the Soup Bowl, a benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County, and a memorial tree-planting program with Franklin Parks and Recreation.
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,” said Rysdale, who has been matched for the past three years with her Little, Cici Daniels. “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 will visit various businesses and corporations throughout Johnson County to connect those businesses with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. That connection will include 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 campaign goal is to create 10 introductions to new Johnson County business partnerships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. At the end of the campaign, organizers hope to have an informal community event to celebrate.
“We are so grateful for the leadership of (Leadership Johnson County) participants for committing their time towards finding more mentors and opportunities for young people in Johnson County,” said Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. “Their support will provide much-needed connections and continue to elevate the need for more caring mentors for the amazing kids in our program.”
To learn more about becoming a Big, visit www.bebigforkids.org/volunteer.
