Volunteers make positive impact on ‘Littles’

HANCOCK COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana is looking for more Hancock County volunteers to pair with largely underprivileged kids on Indianapolis’ east side.

Laura Halt, the agency’s director of volunteer engagement and training, said more than 50 “Littles,” boys and girls ages 8 to 14, are waiting for adult volunteer matches.

“We’re seeing a huge need for the east side,” Halt said. “It’s a community that’s either really in need of our program or really aware of our program.” (Other than using volunteers from Hancock County, the program does not operate here.)

Halt said an influx of kids has not been met with the same response from volunteers. There are already 18 Hancock County residents matched with Little Brothers or Little Sisters from the far east side, because of the proximity.

“That’s the farthest we would want to make them drive,” she said.

The program works to pair adult volunteers with children who have similar interests, facilitating the creation of a friendship that gives the child a positive adult role model. Volunteers get to develop their own meeting schedule with their Little, but are expected to commit a minimum of four to six hours a month.

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