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Big Night Out, presented by PepsiCo, is our largest annual activity for mentors, mentees, waiting Littles, families, and partner organizations. This jam-packed evening was held at The Children’s Museum on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Youth in attendance had the chance to explore different exhibits throughout the museum, learn new basketball tricks alongside the Indy Dunkers, meet special guests like Zeus the Robot and Colts Cheerleaders, glitter up with some temporary tattoos, and so much more!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana is thankful for the support of The Children’s Museum in giving our young people a space to celebrate, build community, and have fun! We know the memories that young people create at the museum alongside their friends, family, and mentors are memories that will last a lifetime.

A longtime board member and supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana was recently honored with an achievement award at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s annual National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Susan Brock Williams, Associate Vice President of State Government Affairs with Eli Lilly and Company, was named the recipient of the Clifford P. Norman Award – an honor given to outstanding Big Brothers Big Sisters board members across the nation.

We are incredibly grateful to Susan and her dedication towards being a true champion for mentorship in the Central Indiana community. Through her role at Eli Lilly and Company, Susan has tirelessly worked to open doors to more recruitment opportunities and partnerships – directly helping to connect more young people with mentors.

Susan’s impact has reached far past Central Indiana, as she simultaneously served as the Co-Vice Chair of the Nationwide Leadership Council (NLC) for two years, ending her service in 2025. While in this national level role, Susan helped to connect Big Brothers Big Sisters agency affiliates with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America around topics like program standards, marketing and communications, advocacy, and so much more.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana wants to extend our biggest thanks to Susan Brock Williams for continuously finding new ways to uplift and support young people in Central Indiana and beyond. We are so fortunate to be impacted by the dedication Susan has for building a brighter community.

(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.) – A Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) match –
Little Sister Jaime and Big Sister Jaleesa – were selected as a National 2026 Big and
Little of the Year.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the United States, announced the recipients of the 2026 Big and Little of the Year awards during the organization’s annual National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on June 18.

Selected from thousands of mentoring matches across the country, the 2026 honorees exemplify the transformative impact of one-to-one mentorship and the power of consistent, supportive relationships. Little Sister Jaime and Big Sister Jaleesa from Central Indiana were two of just four individuals that were awarded this honor.

“The relationship between Jaime and Jaleesa is such a special one,” says Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. “They represent so much of what mentorship is all about – showing up for another person and being that light that lets them know they are not alone. Because of Jaleesa, Jaime knows that she has someone in her corner cheering her on as she chases her dreams.”

Jaime and Jaleesa’s match began during a difficult period in Jaime’s life following
the traumatic loss of her father. Seeking additional support for her daughter, Jaime’s
mother enrolled her in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, which matched her
with Jaleesa. Over the years, their relationship has evolved into a deep sisterhood
rooted in trust, encouragement, and shared growth.

“Jaleesa is literally my big sister,” Jaime shared. “She has always been there. She’s always been a constant.”

Jaleesa’s mentorship helped Jaime navigate her grief and inspired her to discover new experiences and pursue ambitious goals for her future. Jaime now plans to attend Indiana University to study astronomy and accounting with aspirations of becoming an astronaut. She credits her Big Sister and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana with helping open doors to internships, professional mentorship opportunities and personal growth.

For Jaleesa, becoming a Big Sister was deeply personal. Raised by a single mother and surrounded by supportive adults who helped shape her own childhood, she wanted to provide that same sense of stability and encouragement to another young person.

“Over the course of our relationship, I’ve had the joy of watching Jaime grow and go after her dreams,” Jaleesa said. “And I’m proud to say, seven years later, she’s no longer chasing them. She’s living them.”

Being a mentor, or “Big,” through BBBSCI requires a one-year commitment to be matched with a mentee, or “Little.” Bigs and Littles meet twice a month, and together, they enjoy activities provided by BBBSCI and their partners or find activities within their community. To learn more about becoming a Big, visit www.bebigforkids.org/volunteer.

(Indianapolis, IN) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI), in collaboration with Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), celebrated a record-breaking ”500 Bigs by the Indy 500” volunteer recruitment campaign with 638 potential volunteers sharing their interest in becoming mentors, or “Bigs.” 

With 1,000+ young people waiting for one-to-one mentoring services in Central Indiana, BBBSCI and IMS worked together to elevate the need for more caring mentors to support kids throughout Marion, Hamilton, and Johnson counties. 

“IMS is proud to take part in this successful collaboration once again this year,” said Penske Entertainment Vice President, External Affairs and Senior Corporate Counsel, Jimmie McMillian. “We are excited to celebrate a record-breaking year for this campaign and honored to be part of a community that sees the power of mentorship.”

“BBBSCI took on a big goal this year because it really matters to us that every kid in our community has access to relationships, knows they belong, and can participate in opportunities that help them learn and grow. We are so grateful that IMS collaborates with us in a big push to make this happen,” said Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of BBBSCI. “During a season when so many people and the team at IMS is running 230+ mph, our Central Indiana community showed up for each other – especially for our young people – to far surpass our initial goal. And, that’s what makes our community special. So, thank you to IMS and all those who continue to show up to keep kids connected, inspired, and seen.” 

BBBS has been a leader in mentorship for 120 years, and BBBSCI has served this community for 50+ years. We use evidence-based mentoring experiences that show that mentorship provides the opportunity to tackle challenges around mental and emotional wellbeing; academic achievement; economic mobility; and positive behaviors and development for young people.  

    Being a mentor, or “Big,” through BBBSCI requires a one-year commitment to be matched with a mentee, or “Little.” Bigs and Littles meet two times per month, and together, they enjoy activities provided by BBBSCI and their partners or find activities within their community. To learn more about becoming a Big, visit  www.bebigforkids.org/volunteer. 

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) hosted its annual Big Futures Celebration: Match Graduation & Beyond, powered by AES Indiana, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

    This year, BBBSCI is excited to celebrate 66 mentoring relationships between Bigs and Littles who have been matched up to 10 years. Graduating mentoring relationships feature a Little who is graduating high school or turning 18 years old. BBBSCI is also overjoyed to award 18 Littles with scholarships for their next steps with scholarships totaling a record high of $71,500 awarded.

    Each mentoring relationship is unique and special, and there are several young people who have
    accomplished a myriad of events in their lives already – from a young person who is graduating as class valedictorian at their high school to a budding photographer who has begun taking professional photos at IHSAA events.

    “AES Indiana is proud to once again serve as the presenting sponsor of BBBSCI’s Big Futures: Career & College Readiness program,” said Claire Rice, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs & Impact at AES Indiana. “We believe young people will power our future, and this program is helping open doors for students across Central Indiana. By connecting them to career exploration and college experiences, BBBSCI is making big dreams feel possible, and we’re honored to support that work.”


    “The Big Futures Celebration is one of the most fulfilling events of the year for Big Brothers Big Sisters,” says Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of BBBSCI. “It gives everybody involved the opportunity to reminisce about the past months and years that these mentors and mentees have committed to each other; celebrate the present accomplishment of graduating high school; and dream big for the impactful futures ahead for the awe-inspiring young people in our program. BBBSCI is grateful to have this moment that demonstrates the collective power of mentorship in one room, and we hope to share that with the community.”

    BBBS has been a leader in mentorship for 120 years, and BBBSCI has served this community for 50+ years. We use evidence-based mentoring experiences that show that mentorship provides the opportunity to tackle challenges around mental and emotional wellbeing; academic achievement; economic mobility; and positive behaviors and development for young people.

    Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
    o The Need: According to the CDC, 40% of youth report feeling persistently sad or hopeless.
    o The Proven Opportunity: Mentored youth saw a 16% growth in emotional regulation and a 20%
    reduction in depressive symptoms compared to non-mentored youth.

    Academic Achievement
    o The Need: Districts report that roughly 22% of students missed 10% or more of school days in
    the 2024-2025 school year.
    o The Proven Opportunity: Mentored students are proven to attend school more regularly,
    perform better academically, and exhibit fewer behavioral problems than their nonmentored peers.

    Economic Mobility
    o The Need: More than 75% of youth are concerned about having necessary employment skills,
    and 74% of young adults lack access to a mentor.
    o The Proven Opportunity: Mentored youth earn an average of $200,000 more in lifetime
    earnings and are 20% more likely to enroll in college than their non-mentored peers.

    Positive Behaviors and Development
    o The Need: Young people who lack positive adult guidance face a significantly higher risk of
    entering the justice system – a pathway with cascading consequences for their futures, their
    families, and their communities.
    o The Proven Opportunity: Mentored youth are 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27%
    less likely to begin using alcohol, 54% less likely to be arrested, and 52% less likely to skip school
    than non-mentored youth.

    Being a mentor, or “Big,” through BBBSCI requires a one-year commitment to be matched with a mentee, or “Little.” Bigs and Littles meet twice a month, and together, they enjoy activities provided by BBBSCI and their partners or find activities within their community.

    To learn more about becoming a Big, visit www.bebigforkids.org/volunteer.

    To learn more about BBBSCI and this graduating class of mentoring relationships, visit www.bebigforkids.org/event/bigfuturescelebration/.

    (Indianapolis, IN) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI), in collaboration with Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), officially announced today a volunteer campaign to recruit “500 Bigs by the Indy 500.” 

    From March 1 through May 24, the day of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, BBBSCI and IMS will be working together to share the need and urgency for more mentors in the Central Indiana community. With 1,000+ kids who are waiting for a mentor in Central Indiana, BBBSCI and IMS are looking for 500 community members to step up and take the first step to become a mentor alongside 80+ businesses to invite BBBSCI to share more about the power of mentorship. 

    “IMS is excited to work with BBBSCI for another year to encourage more connection throughout our community,” said Penske Entertainment Senior Corporate Counsel Jimmie McMillian. “Just like how we bring together 350,000+ people for the Indy 500, we hope to bring together hundreds of kids and community members in Central Indiana through this campaign.” 

    “It’s a clearly a busy time of year for IMS and the Indy 500, so it says a lot about their commitment to our community’s future – our amazing kids – that they collaborate with Big Brothers Big Sisters on this push to find more mentors,” says Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of BBBSCI. “Volunteering as a mentor is about showing up for a young person you may have otherwise never met because you believe it matters to be part of a community where all kids have encouragement and opportunity. And the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters guides and supports you every step of the way.” 

    BBBS has been a leader in mentorship for 120 years, and BBBSCI has served this community for 50+ years. We use evidence-based mentoring experiences that show that mentorship provides the opportunity to tackle challenges around mental and emotional wellbeing; academic achievement; economic mobility; and positive behaviors and development for young people. 

    Being a mentor, or “Big,” through BBBSCI requires a one-year commitment to be matched with a mentee, or “Little.” Bigs and Littles meet 4-6 hours per month, and together, they enjoy activities provided by BBBSCI and their partners or find activities within their community. To learn more about becoming a Big, visit www.bebigforkids.org/volunteer. 

    To learn more about BBBSCI and how to get involved with the 500 Bigs by the Indy 500 campaign, visit www.bebigforkids.org/500by500. 

    Purchase the Share Your Light Candle – a limited Big Brothers Big Sisters candle created by Primrose Candle Co

    To celebrate National Mentoring Month and the power of showing up for others, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana has teamed up with Primrose Candle Co to create a one-of-a-kind candle. This inviting fragrance blends sweet sugar plum and juicy mandarin with fresh greens, soft musk, and gently mulled citrus, creating a scent that is juicy and radiant.

    Purchase Share Your Light Candle

    Available for the month of January in honor of National Mentoring Month, Share Your Light is an awareness partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. This candle is designed to shine a light on the importance of mentorship in our community.

    Light this candle as a reminder that sharing your time, support, and encouragement can make a meaningful difference. Check out Share Your Light, and become a Big yourself at bebigforkids.org/volunteer.

    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana was honored to be awarded as the Best Non-Profit/Charity at the Indianapolis Community’s Choice Awards hosted by IndyStar.

    Here at BBBSCI, we provide young people in Central Indiana with mentorship resources by connecting kids in our program, known as “Littles”, with supportive mentors, known as “Bigs”. Together, our Bigs and Littles spend time in the community or at BBBSCI hosted events building their friendship and growing the confidence and skills of the Little. These moments and experiences help our young people find the tools to build their biggest and brightest futures!

    We currently have over 1,000 kids in our community who are waiting for mentor. If you would like to positively impact the life of a child, there is no better time than now to become a Big! Sign up at bebigforkids.org/volunteer.

    This National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is teaming up with Starbucks to celebrate the many ways that our volunteers show up and share their light with the young people in Central Indiana!

    Thanks to our partners at Starbucks, active Bigs and supporters can redeem a free, tall [12oz.] drink of your choice from a participating Starbucks location!

    All you have to do is present your BBBSCI volunteer ID card or your promotional postcard (pictured above) to receive your free tall beverage on January 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30!

    Click here to find a participating Starbucks store near you!

    To our community members & supporters, 

    If you’ve driven down to 14th and Meridian, you may have glimpsed a new addition to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana mentoring hub. With a brightness meant to light up the cloudiest of days, we are proud to share a message that will inspire pride, joy, and belonging in our community.

    Indy shines when you SHARE YOUR LIGHT. 

    This mural is meant to remind us of the ripple effect of good…of joy…of opportunity when everyone shares a little bit of themselves with each other – with the hope that we’ll all be encouraged to share a little of our light every day, just like our Bigs and Littles do. 

    September also happens to be Big Brothers Big Sisters Month. 

    Celebrate with us by sharing your light and encouraging those around you to be part of helping our community shine brighter than ever before: 

    1. Display a yard sign at your home or business. Share this opportunity with others in your network to pepper Central Indiana with these free and delivered signs! 
    2. Wear green as we Paint the Town Green from September 14-20. Take a photo and tag BBBSCI during that week as you wear green in support of mentorship. If you believe your workplace may be interested in helping Paint the Town Green during this week, reach out to your Mentoring Relationship Specialist. 
    3. Encourage your friends and family to become a Big. As you all know, sharing your time with another person is invaluable. Recommend people you know to take the first step toward becoming a mentor for one of the 1,000+ kids still waiting. 

    Thank you for choosing to share your light through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and thank you for believing in the light within every Little in our program.