The Kids We Serve
We serve youth between the ages of 8 and 18 in Marion, Hamilton and Johnson counties. Youth are enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana program between the ages of 8-14. Mentoring relationships are supported by BBBSCI until the youth reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school.
Young people enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some common backgrounds and challenges many of the youth in our program face include:
- Single-parent households;
- Youth of an incarcerated family member;
- Youth living with a non-parent guardian;
- Youth with a personal need for the guidance and friendship of a caring adult;
Our programs are delivered 100% by community volunteers—people just like you who give generously of their time to help youth and yearn to find out how BIG they can be.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana will refer some youth to other community resources, including:
- Children under the age of 8;
- Youth who do not live in Marion, Johnson or Hamilton counties;
- Youth who are not enrolled in school;
- Youth for which we are unable to identify a mentor;
- Youth currently in an abusive situation or who have not had outside counseling regarding an abusive situation (these children should seek professional counseling)
- Young people who do not want to be enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program
- Youth who do not have permission from their legal guardian to be enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program
- Youth of parents who are merely looking for a babysitter for their children.
Children are enrolled in our program through referrals. These referrals come from a wide range of people involved in the child’s life and can include:
- Parents
- Extended Family Members
- Neighbors or Family Friends
- School Teachers
- School Counselors
- Outside or Private Counselors or Therapists
- Coaches
- Leaders of Organizations (such as Boy/Girl Scouts)
- Direct Request from Youth
