National Volunteer Month: How volunteers fuel BBBS of Kentuckiana’s mission
Held every April, National Volunteer Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of volunteers around the U.S. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do without volunteers.
Our volunteer mentors (Bigs) are the lifeblood of our mission to ignite the power and promise of youth through mentorship. Each day, our dedicated Bigs make a lasting impact in our community through the meaningful one-to-one relationship with their mentee (Little).
Empowering the next generation is a continuous commitment.
We’re incredibly thankful for our Bigs who are providing youth with the guidance and support needed to become the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow.
Volunteer Shoutout: Big Sister Trish
Trish has been volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana since 2020. Read what she said about the impact of her mentoring relationship with her Little, Haley. ⤵️
“For as long as I can remember, I've had a heart for children and a desire to help them.
As I became an adult, got married and had children of my own, that certainly fulfilled a calling in my life, but I still felt a pull to do more to help beyond my own home. I believed I could use my life experiences to benefit kids who needed encouragement and support during the most formative years of their life.
I didn't know exactly what that would look like for me but I knew I had to start somewhere.
I turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters to see if there were opportunities where I could try it out and I discovered the mentoring program. After applying and learning about the program, I was excited to be matched with my little sister, Haley, who was 12 years old at the time we met.
Haley was the perfect match for me. We have so many common interests in hobbies, food, music and sense of humor. She was like an open book from day one. She is so easy to talk to and personable, we were able to establish a relationship easily and from there trust grew.
All these years later, she is a teenager and we still get along better than ever. She has taught me more about courage and the strength of the human spirit than I ever expected.
In her young 15 years I've seen her tackle obstacles and pressures most adults my age would not be able to endure. Throughout it all, she sets her mind and heart on the hope of the future and silver linings of every situation. She recognizes the lessons and opportunities for growth with every set back and that is an inspiration to me.
I thank Big Brothers Big Sisters for bringing us together and showing me the power of community and relationship. Their support has been instrumental.”
What it takes to be a Big
Interested in becoming a volunteer mentor? There’s no better time than now. National Volunteer Month is a wonderful reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact, and it’s a great catalyst to reaffirm your commitment to giving back.
When you become a Big, you’ll be matched with a Little between ages 7 and 16. Bigs and Littles get together 2-3 times a month for a few hours at a time doing normal, everyday things: seeing a movie, doing homework, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out!
The quality of time invested with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend. That’s why we don’t encourage spending a lot of money on your outings. The goal of the relationship is to help your Little see the world through a different lens so you can inspire them to become something they never thought possible.
If you are going to spend money, we encourage you to seek out low-cost activities, especially in the beginning. Shoot hoops at a local park, play a game together, or share that pizza that you were going to have for lunch anyway. We also offer donor-supported group activities that are a great way to meet other Bigs and Littles. As a Big, you’ll receive notices for free tickets to cultural and sports activities for both of you to enjoy.
We’ve also got a list of fun, low-or-no-cost match activities in our Big Blog.
Each match is made with intentionality and is supported by a dedicated Match Support Specialist who’s always there to provide resources and support specific to the Little’s age.
Ready to take the first step? Watch this short video and fill out this form, and our staff will reach out.