Mentorship just might be the key to connection.
In 2023, a report from the U.S. Surgeon General stated a lack of social connection and community were contributing to the “loneliness epidemic” and declining health, well-being and success. However, organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI), 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and Starfish Initiative are working to change that — through mentorship.
“Those relationships are really powerful and make a huge difference in how well people are and then become a really strong foundation for what people can achieve,” said Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of BBBSCI.
BBBSCI provides mentors and experiences for youth 8-18 in Marion, Hamilton and Johnson Counties. They host events throughout the year, but once matched, mentor and mentee pairs are expected to meet up at least once a month — whether that’s to visit the Indy Zoo, attend a Pacer’s game, go to the movies or get pizza and do homework together.
Mentors must commit to at least a year with their mentee, but some relationships can last up to 10 years (within the program) or longer.
“There’s so many relationships that we build out through program participation that it really strengthens both the young person, the mentor, the family in the process, because they have a bigger social network,” Palmer-Shultz said. “They have people to call on if they need help, and they have people who will connect them to important opportunities and experiences that they might not have otherwise.”

Mentorship is in such high demand that at any given moment, BBBSCI’s waiting list has around 1,000 kids waiting for a match, Palmer-Shultz said. Though, there is now an option to participate in a group mentoring program — such as the one that matches two or three kids with a Butler University student for eight weeks in the fall and spring.
But one organization cannot do it all.
For the last 40 years, 100 Black Men of Indianapolis have taken mentorship incredibly seriously, serving kids from as early as pre-K all the way up to college, according to executive director Kraig Kinchen.
Members often see themselves in the youth around them and happily dedicate “real time” toward positively impacting their development and chances of success, Kinchen said.
“We want those students to know that somebody’s in their corner, to sort of empower them to achieve what they want to achieve,” Kinchen said.
To build their students up, they first build trust — which Kinchen said begins to form within their programs.
First, they engage students through their interests, whether that’s through robotics, STEM, music technology, African American history, financial literacy or leadership development. Within those classes, young boys are exposed to positive male role models who help them understand their possibilities.
“Our motto is, ‘What they see is what they’ll be,’” Kinchen said. “And we really believe that. We believe we have to show them what the possibilities are.”
New B.O.Y., which stands for New Breed of Youth, is another program geared toward mentorship for boys ages 6-18. Founded by Kareem Hines, the mentorship program operates five days a week and includes literary arts, youth podcasts, youth sports league and a young entrepreneurs program.
New B.O.Y. mentorship is based around the idea of “making connections before correction.” The Guns Down, Gloves Up Youth Boxing program allows the mentors to really get in and start to unpack — not just the trauma the kids deal with in their lives, but also how they feel about gun violence.
“We give them a chance to work out, hit the pads, which also allows them to release some stress,” Hines said. “After the workout, now that we’ve developed this relationship with them, now we can talk about the ill effects of guns.”

Parents and guardians can sign their children up for the program, but Hines said many of the youth are referred to them — either by the Department of Child Services, Juvenile Probation Department, local churches or community groups. New B.O.Y. gives these kids a safe place, positive role models and healthy ways to cope.
Hines does not work alone. His wife, Chrystal Hines, is the founder and CEO of Inner Beauty, a mentorship program for girls ages 6-18.
For the last 22 years, Inner Beauty has acted like a “full-service salon for the inner makeover.” Open seven days a week, one-on-one mentoring is just the first step in creating a safe, nurturing environment for young girls.
Girls enrolled in the one-on-one mentoring have access to all programs offered through Inner Beauty — including group mentoring; trauma yoga classes; painting classes; dance, tumbling and martial arts classes; nutrition and fitness coaching; camping and ski trips; and college campus visits.
“We try to provide these opportunities so that kids are excited about their future and what the possibilities are for them,” Chrystal Hines said.
However, connecting students with the right mentors and programs to help them finish school and seek higher learning is crucial to preparing the next generation to be successful, said Crystal Givens, president and CEO of Starfish Initiative.
Founded in 2003, Starfish Initiative began programming for high school students in 2004. They select rising freshmen with at least a 2.5 GPA who have indicated interest in post-secondary education. Their goal was — and still is — to increase the high school graduation rate and expose students to college readiness, career exploration and character development.
“I don’t think you ever outgrow a mentor,” Givens said. “Everyone still needs guidance … I think mentorship helps to give you that, that someone that you can connect with, that sees you, that gives you support and encouragement that you need. But also, more importantly than that, they hold you accountable.”
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.