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Big Brothers Big Sisters in dire need of mentors

Number of kids up on Big Brothers Big Sisters waiting list.

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 10:16 AM Monday, February 1, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County is in dire need of mentors, especially male and minority mentors.

The group serves about 900 children a year and typically has a waiting list of 75-100 children. But the number of children on the waiting list has grown to 189 because of the poor economy.

“We have no problem finding children who need a mentor,’’ said Julie Dichtl, Big Brothers Big Sisters vice president of development.

“The challenge is that there are so many women who are working. People are busy, and there are so many opportunities to volunteer. We’re not the only game in town.”

In an effort to encourage more area residents to participate in the program, the agency now has recruiters in Middletown and Hamilton.

Still, finding adult volunteers as the economy has worsened has been difficult.

Many feel they don’t have the time because of work and family commitments; others simply never thought of themselves as a mentor, said Big Brothers Big Sisters Recruiter Torri Colts, who is also the program director of the Butler County Juvenile Court.

“Sometimes people who are blue-collar think because they work in a factory that they’re not important or affluent enough to make a difference,” Colts said.

“But we’re not asking for money. We’re just asking you to be a friend to a child and to be a role model.”

Dichtl said the impact volunteers have on “the Littles,” by giving a little of their time, changes lives.

About 95 percent of those seeking mentors live in poverty, and most are living in single-parent homes headed by females.

Dichtl said studies show that children with mentors are more likely to stay in school and less likely to become teen parents and engage in juvenile crime.

“They are more likely to succeed because they have an extra person in their life who cares about them,” Dichtl said.

“The child could be underachieving in school and they could get them to do their homework, go to the library. The child could lack self-confidence and they can help them with social skills,’’ Dichtl said.