Big Brothers Big Sisters kicks off their 2024 recruitment campaign: Everyday Heroes.

The goal for the 2024 campaign is to recruit 500 volunteers to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters, or “Everyday Heroes,” in 90 days. Big Brothers Big Sisters undertakes this challenge to find matches for the many Littles still waiting for a mentor. Currently, there are 379 Littles in Allen County, 41 Littles in DeKalb County, 31 Littles in Noble County, and 39 Littles in Kosciusko County on waiting lists ready to be matched with Bigs. Although these children are currently signed up to be Littles, the actual number of children in need whom Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to serve is potentially larger, with over 41% of Indiana children being considered at-risk. This campaign aims to spread awareness of the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and recruit volunteers to help these Littles get the mentors they need. Beginning June 24^th and running until September 24^th, the campaign will have several fun events throughout, including the Brad Miller Gala and Golf Outing and the Brad Miller Campout.

Mentorship has a proven positive effect on children, and Big Brothers Big Sisters aids this process every day through its community-based and site-based mentorship programs. Its community-based program involves an adult mentor meeting with the child every 2 weeks for an activity out in the community. Site-based programs are located at the child’s school, with adult mentors meeting their Little during their lunchtime once a week.

This year’s “Everyday Heroes” theme is meant to highlight the importance of mentors in children’s lives. Mentors are not extraordinary humans; they are everyday, ordinary people who decide to make a difference in a child’s life. Instead of being a superhero, mentors are there for their Littles every day in both big and small ways.

Find out how to be an Everyday Hero here: https://www.bbbsnei.org/500bigs/

Or contact Eli Rider at [email protected] or 260-203-3333.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that the ability to succeed and thrive in life is inherent in all children. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. To learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate or volunteer at www.BBBSNEI.org.