Big Brothers Big Sisters looks for new mentors

IU senior Anthony Dee has a busy schedule. He's involved in multiple organizations on campus and studies hard. \nBut when Dee is devoting his time as a mentor for the program Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, he focuses on a child's happiness and development, not his own social life.\n"I pretty much act like a little kid," Dee said. "It's pretty fun."\nDee, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters his sophomore year when his fraternity hosted a philanthropy event in which children played games with members of the fraternity. One of the goals of the day was to match children with compatible mentors, and Dee found a young boy with similar interests and became his big brother. \nKaren Rash, office manager for BBBS of South Central Indiana, said the organization works to find compatible matches like that of Dee and his little brother. The organization interviews applicants, asking detailed, personal questions to make sure applicants will serve as stable, positive role models. The interview lasts 30 to 45 minutes. \nRash said many children are waiting to be assigned big brothers or big sisters. \n"We always need volunteers, especially male volunteers," Rash said. \nBBBS of South Central Indiana will hold information sessions throughout January in which interested students and Bloomington residents learn about the programs BBBS offers. Informational meetings are also held periodically throughout the rest of the year. Meeting times and locations are posted on the BBBS of South Central Indiana's Web site, \nwww.bbbssci.org. \nRash said anyone interested is welcome to attend the meetings. Representatives from BBBS will explain the various programs the organization offers and their requirements.\nThe organization offers a variety of programs that fit students' schedules, including programs that require a year-long commitment, commitment for a school year or a program in which a volunteer participates in at least one activity every month, Rash said. \nDee said he spends time with his little brother once or twice a week. They go to the park, hike or just "hang out," he said. \n"I want to show him there's more to life than video games or TV," Dee said.\nHe said that spending time with his little brother was a little awkward at first, but he realized he was affecting the child's life when the 8-year-old began to call Dee his brother and think of him as a friend. \nDee said that a good role model for a child is not necessarily smart or rich, but someone who is just a good role model. \nDee has been a Big Brother for more than a year and said he enjoys his role as a mentor.\n"I really love doing it," he said. "There's nothing negative about it."\nFor more information or an application for Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit their Web site, \nwww.bigsindiana.org, or e-mail Rash at bbbs@bloomington.in.us.