LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Hundreds of kids in central Kentucky need someone to look up to. With January being National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass wants people to become Bigs.
Hunter Stout and his Little Brother have been a pair for the last few years.
"I've been with Jermar since he was eight in the third grade,” said Stout, who is also a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass.
They hang out every week, often playing basketball.
"But lately, we've been playing a lot of Uno and he gets a little frustrated, because I don't just let him win and I've been beating him a lot lately,” said Stout.
Through the games and talks, it's an experience Stout thinks others should have.
There are currently more than 200 kids on the waiting list. The organization says there's definitely a need for adults to join and continue a positive cycle of mentorship.
"I wouldn't be standing here talking to you if I had not had men and women pour into me when I was a young person,” said Christian Motley, a Big Brother and board member. “Teachers, my athletic coaches, people who saw more for me than I saw in myself."
A new program called Sports Buddies was even launched this month in an effort to bring in more mentors.
"It's only six months. You hang out like two times a month and all of the programs are UK games, Transy games. It's all sports-related. It's already pre-scheduled by us,” said Rob Gabbert, a Big Brother and board member. “You just have to show up two times a month. It's going to change your life and it's going to change a kids' life."
You can learn more about becoming a Big at www.bbbs-bluegrass.org.
