Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) is celebrating the next graduating class of mentoring relationships.
The annual Celebrate Mentoring event, which takes place April 21 at Newfields, is the capstone event of the organization’s Big Futures: Career & College Readiness program. The celebration will highlight 79 mentor and mentee duos who have been matched up to 10 years and have completed the program.
“There is no doubt that this is our absolute favorite day of the year,” Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of BBBSCI, said in an email. “Our team puts so much heart and effort into making and supporting these relationships, and it’s really special to us to get to celebrate how they’ve bonded, grown, and become part of each other’s lives over years of friendship in our program.”
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Palmer-Shultz said this is one of the biggest graduating classes they have had in recent years and they are grateful to be able to pause and reflect on all the good that happens while celebrating their accomplishments. Celebrate Mentoring will include recognition of each Little and Big, remarks from one of the program’s graduates, a special guest speaker and a celebratory reception.
“At this point, we so often hear that our Bigs and Littles think of each other as family or lifelong friends,” Palmer-Shultz said. “No doubt they continue to be there for each other long past this weekend’s event. That’s an impact we’ll never be able to quantify, and that’s ok. We know its significance nonetheless and sometimes get glimpses of it when alumni get in touch with us over the years.”
Graduating matches, families, volunteers and community leaders are invited to celebrate on April 21 at 3 p.m. at the Toby Theatre at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Road. BBBSCI is always looking for more volunteers and people to become mentors. For more information, visit bebigforkids.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
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