Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by Shahla Sultanova

Stacey Waskom, executive director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana, outlined challenges facing the organization. Students will develop a campaign to address the needs of 21 Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters.

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When 65-year-old Chester Ross met 7-year-old David Loughran through the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) organization, Ross wasn’t sure if the relationship would work. Because of his age, Ross wasn’t even sure if Big Brothers Big Sisters would accept him in the program.

The two went on weekly outings, seeing movies and baseball games, or simply relaxed at home. The youngster became so much a part of his life that Ross paid David’s college tuition. In 2004, at 90 years old, Ross was even the best man in David’s wedding. In May Ross, 95, celebrated his 30-year friendship with David.

Without Big Brothers Big Sisters, stories like that of Chester Ross and David Loughran may never happen, said Liz Grenat, Midwest region coordinator for the organization, during a talk to J429 Public Relations Campaigns last week. She related the story of Ross and Loughran and other pairings like theirs.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States,” she said. “Our goal is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors.”

Last year, BBBS served 255,000 children, many of whom live in poverty or in a single parent family or who cope with an incarcerated parent.

BBBS provides multiple ways for “bigs” (big brothers/sisters) and “littles” (little brothers/sisters) to interact, Grenat said. A big and his or her little can meet one-on-one or through the child’s school.

Ralph Winslow Visiting Professor Jim Bright, a longtime BSBB volunteer, has had two littles, including 12-year-old Jeremy of Bloomington. His J429 class is taking on BBBS as its client this semester. Students in his class will work in four five-member teams, competing to create a campaign helping to strengthen the organization’s 21 chapters throughout Indiana. The students will conduct research, develop goals, objectives, tactics and key messages that will encourage people to volunteer and to support the organization financially.