The Online Reflector

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana recently added the University of Indianapolis as a corporate partner. To receive this recognition, five University of Indianapolis staff members and students had to get involved with the organization.

“[The] University of Indianapolis actually has around 12 [volunteers] and was recognized by our CEO as one of our top-tier partners with a plaque,” said Laura Halt, director of volunteer engagement and training at BBBSCI.

University of Indianapolis President Beverley Pitts (center) accepts a plaque from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana organization. Twelve volunteers were recognized by the BBBSCI organization. Photo contributed Laura Halt

According to its website, BBBS pairs both adults (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) together across the country. Children range from ages 6 through 18.

“BBBS has an impact both locally and nationally,” Halt said. “The kids get higher confidence and avoid risky behaviors. They become better role models to the community.”

BBBSCI also has an impact on those who volunteer. Senior social work major Samantha Searls had shadowed an introduction of a Big and a Little.

“It was so touching to see how much the grandmother wanted her granddaughter to get involved,” she said. “I got to see non profit [organizations] connect to the communities.”

UIndy has had considerable involvement with BBBSCI. One of the BBBSCI events included a College and Career Night on March 22. “Littles” were able to hear advice from a panel of college students and military personnel. Two of the students featured in the panel were Searls and junior Terrell Franklin.

“We talked about scholarships, different places to look for them [scholarships], majors and how it is okay to not know what you want to do [in college],” Searls said.

Another event was a UIndy Admissions Office Community Day. Fourteen Big Sisters and Little Sisters were invited to attend and build Build-A-Bears with incoming UIndy freshmen.

“All of them worked together to create bears, not only for the Little Sister to take home, but also to donate one to Wheeler Missions,” Halt said.

In addition, BBBSCI will partner with the senior Social Work Capstone class at UIndy. They will help host a field day for matches who are currently in high school. Students will take a tour of the campus and participate in outdoor and team building activities.

Those interested in getting involved with BBBSCI can contact Halt at 317-472-3730 or lhalt@bbbsci.org.

“We are always looking for staff/students to get involved as Big Brothers, Big Sisters or Big Couples,” Halt said. “There is always a huge need for volunteers in and around the U of Indy campus.”