Big Brothers Big Sisters lacks volunteers

Kaleb Johnson is a typical 8-year-old boy. \nHe lives with his mother and two sisters, but is in need of male companionship. After seeing the need for a male figure in young Kaleb’s life, Tammi Carter, his mother, enrolled her son in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, a program for children between the ages of 6 and 17. \nHe has been on the wait-list for almost two years. \nJohnson is not alone. There are close to 100 kids on the wait-list, according to Andrea Smith, director of operations at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Central Indiana, showing a significant need for community involvement. “This is a very fun experience for everyone involved,” Smith said, “including IU students and Bloomington locals.”\nAs students depart Bloomington for the summer, volunteer involvement has decreased, on top of the already slow year.\n“We have a lot of awesome kids on the wait-list,” Smith said. “I can’t stress enough how much we need volunteers.”\nBig Brothers Big Sisters offers a variety of programs that fit the needs of the child, as well as the personal schedule of the “Bigs,” or those who volunteer to be big brothers or big sisters in the program.\nSeveral different program options are listed on the organization’s Web site. \nIf interested in interacting with the child doing everyday activities, Community Bigs is offered to volunteers who own a car and will participate at least eight hours a month. \nTo participate in the after-school program, School Bigs, volunteers are required to commit for one hour a week during a full school year on the grounds of a designated school. \nFor IU students, Club Bigs is a program that allows students to work closely with the local Boys and Girls Club. It doesn’t require a car and is within walking distance from the IU campus. Club Bigs requires volunteers to participate for one year, eight hours a month. While working with Club Bigs, volunteers have the option to either stay at the club, or take their little brother or sister to campus, the park, the mall or other community activities.\n“I got involved because it was a great volunteer opportunity that allows you to see the actual impact of your efforts,” said Matt DuPre, a former Big Brother. “I felt like my little brother got to see and do a bunch of things he never would have had the opportunity to do otherwise, as well as giving him some confidence with respect to his school work and social life.”\nThe variety of programs listed at www.BigsIndiana.org are filled with kids of many interests.\n“A lot of people aren’t aware they have a choice for the child they want to volunteer with,” Carter said. “They have a choice with hobbies and age as well as time to see if they are compatible with each other.”\nThere are many different activities for everyone. Most recently, children have constructed and flown their own kites, made Frisbees, played outside, built gingerbread houses, had game days at the park and made sleds for sledding in the winter. \nFor more information on volunteering contact Kathy Delaney-Willett, who handles recruitment, at 334-2828, ext. 231. You can also e-mail the agency at BBBS@bigsindiana.org.