500 Bigs by the Indy 500, Big Brothers Big Sisters is asking for more mentors to sign up

WRTV is not using the names of the subjects in this story because they are minors and for their privacy.

INDIANAPOLIS – Earlier this month, Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Indiana announced a new push to get more mentors signed up.

Their goal is to get the 500 “big” to qualify for the Indy 500.

Right now, here in central Indiana, over a thousand kids are waiting for a match.

WRTV spoke with the three boys about what they wanted to do with their next mentor.

“I like to play video games and stuff,” Isaiah said.

“I want to go swimming and go somewhere fun,” Cayden said.

“I like to play soccer or basketball at school and at recess, I’m in second grade and I love it and I love to eat pizza,” Landon said.

Isaiah, Kayden, and Landon are the “little ones” in Big Brothers Big Sisters.

All three of their mothers signed them up for a mentorship program to give them a new perspective on life.

“I wanted him to see what a strong example of a man there is to have someone to help him manage it, you know, to take places where different perspectives are shown,” Isaiah’s mother said.

“I think it’s important just for him to have a male mentor to learn from and just bond with,” Landon’s mom said.

“I learned that this was another way to encourage kids to do well in this world in other ways to help them navigate life,” Cayden’s mom said.

The requirements to be a big in the Big Brothers Big Sister program are to be at least 19 years old, pass a background check, and be able to see your little one 2 to 4 times a month for a year.

Some guys have been waiting a long time for a mentor match.

“And that’s good because I want the organization to take the time to safely place kids that you know to match their personalities,” Cayden’s mom said.

In the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, the little one has a big influence.

According to the organization, children in the program are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 52% less likely to drop out of school, and 27% less likely to use alcohol.

As of March 27, 176 people have applied to become Big.

You can learn more about how to sign up to be one Mentor here.

listen Matches of the year here.