I’ll never forget the shy 7-year-old I met in 2012. Her name was Victoria and she liked to sing and dance. At least that’s what I was told by my match support specialist at
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. As the months went on, I learned more about Victoria, her interests, and her home life. It was like peeling back an onion. The child was multifaceted and wise beyond her years.
That encounter more than a dozen years ago was the beginning of our nearly decade-long match. We weathered so many highs and lows together, like my wedding and my father’s death, to name a few. Over the years, we had countless outings and made memories to last a lifetime. The match ended about three years ago when Victoria was no longer engaged, but the experience left an indelible mark on me. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana still holds a special place in my heart.
As I can personally attest, it takes more than just good intentions to make a solid match; “it takes 2.” Launched in April, that’s the theme of the organization’s
2025 recruitment campaign, which aims to spark community interest in participation in its mentoring programs. Volunteers are matched with children, known as “Littles,” based on common interests and shared personality traits. Littles are typically referred to the program through the school system, family members, churches and other community-based organizations.
Bailey Roe, director of community development for the Allen County region, says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana hopes to recruit 500 mentors — or “Bigs” — across 12 counties in northeast Indiana and southern Michigan in 100 days. In her estimation, the campaign is as ambitious as it is critical. The idea is to demystify the commitment of becoming a Big and reinforce how mentorship creates ripples of positive impact.
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“I think the big thing was just to make it feel easy and simple,” she says.” I think, as humans, we’re drawn to numbers.”
With that psychology in mind, the slogan reminds community members that meaningful mentorship starts with teamwork. It also reflects the simplicity of the time commitment expected from the volunteer: two hours per meeting, twice a month. These outings can take the form of a catch-up over dinner, a walk in the park, bowling, seeing a movie together, etc. — anything that resonates with the match.
“When people hear about our mission, they can get intimidated by the commitment, but this campaign breaks it down,” Roe says. “It’s about showing people how easy it can be to fit mentorship into their lives.”
Over a month into the campaign, she reports that it has come alive through community engagement. Volunteers and staff have leaned heavily on local partnerships, grassroots marketing, and public visibility initiatives to make a lasting impression. For example, Roe has found success with hosting information booths at farmers markets and distributing eye-catching yard signs across neighborhoods in hopes of catching the community’s attention in memorable ways.
“Our booth at the YLNI Farmers Market last week was so impactful,” Roe says. “I’ve had people call and say they saw us there and have been thinking about volunteering since.”
These small, meaningful touchpoints add up. According to Roe, research shows it can take as many as 10 interactions before someone takes the next step toward signing up.
Keeping that in mind, Roe says her organization hosts “hot spots” to connect with potential Bigs. The idea is to engage local advocates and existing Bigs to tap into the power of personal networks. Bigs are encouraged to host intimate gatherings like coffee meet-ups or invite contacts to these events, where recruitment efforts feel natural and conversational.
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Big Sister Liz and Little Sister Brielle, who often meet for lunch and play with dolls.“It’s about leveraging those personal relationships,” Roe says. “Sometimes all it takes is hearing a story from someone who’s been a Big to inspire someone else to join.”
One important element of the program is that its volunteers come from all walks of life and professions. Demographically, Roe says she’s been eager to encourage empty nesters and retirees to commit to long-term volunteering. Whatever the volunteer’s background, the agency provides the necessary support and tools to help foster a successful match.
While recruitment efforts can spark interest among potential volunteers, they aren’t without their challenges. As Roe notes, there’s a shortage of male mentors, despite a significant need for male mentors to support boys on the waiting list. To address this head-on, Roe’s team has made a point to make direct appeals to male community advocates and introduce creative engagement strategies to attract them. For example, Roe asks male Bigs to consider their social networks as fertile ground for volunteers. Whether it’s coffee and donuts or a happy hour, Roe has a clear but compelling ask: “Let me into your network, and give me 15 minutes to share.”
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Big Brother Jarek Hoppe and his Little Brother Carter
"It's been interesting to see him grow from that introvert to a little bit more of an extrovert," Hoppe notes, contemplating how Carter reminds him of a younger version of himself. Together, they've embraced a myriad of activities, from sports to driving lessons.
"Our big thing lately has been driver's training," Hoppe says.
Hoppe encourages others to explore the rewarding journey of mentorship, dispelling myths about the depth of time commitment.
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Big Brother Jarek Hoppe and his Little Brother Carter"It's really not that difficult to carve out some time for yourself and for them," he says. "You'd be really surprised on what somebody like a middle schooler or high schooler or whatever could teach you these days."
Learn more about the volunteer opportunity and apply to be a Big
here.