Saturdays are one of 12-year-old Andrew Mitchell's favorite days because he gets to spend it with his big brother, Jim Shasky. On a spacious sofa, Mitchell sits very close to his brother, teasing him about his inability to beat him on a Playstation 2 game and tugging at his beard. The duo discusses their day, full with a cookout at the park, a ride on Shasky's motorcycle, video games and train-set engineering.
Shasky, however, is not related to Mitchell. The 60-year-old is a volunteer for Delaware County's Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and was matched with Mitchell after over four months, he said.
"[Being a Big Brother] is the most wonderful thing I've ever done," Shasky said. "I love being with Andy. He's so exuberant. It just makes me happier to see him."
The nationwide organization, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. While Delaware County's organization is not 100, it is localizing the anniversary by trying to reunite matches and promote its ability to positively effect children's lives.
Taryn Poti, executive director of the organization, said the relationships children make with their big brothers and big sisters might allow them to learn and discover activities and open up opportunities they have never had before.
"It's really about the little things," Poti said. "It's sharing that first moment of doing something, it's taking them swimming for the first time, and it's so many things that we as adults take for granted that mean so much to these kids. To see children blossom and grow, you know you are making a difference."
Elizabeth Bailey, a junior photojournalism student, has been a big sister to 6-year-old Alyiaah Aviah-Gyebi for two months, after being previously matched for three years before her little sister moved away. Giving Aviah-Gyebi someone to look up to is key for her, she said.
"I know the importance of having an adult role model," Bailey said. "I always had that growing up, and it's something every kid needs to have."
The program makes a match by looking at similarities in personality, interests and preferences of the volunteer and child. Volunteers must be over 16 and able to commit time with their little sister or brother regularly. Poti said Ball State students are among those who make good volunteers.
"Just as the kids are different in ages and life situations and scenarios, we need a variation or diversity in our volunteers," Poti said. "A large percentage of our volunteer base are Ball State students. They are supportive in so many ways, not only with volunteering but also with group activities and funding. The downside is they leave the community, but a lot of students are really good about continuing the relationship over the summer."
Shasky, who has attention-deficit disorder, says he has learned a lot from his ittle rother, who also has the disorder.
"We can read each other really well," he said. "We are helping each other grow up and love ourselves for who we are. It's such a perfect match."
Mitchell said he considers Shasky just like a real brother.
"He's my brother," Mitchell said. "We have a lot of fun."
Shasky has three grown children, the youngest being 25. Because of a divorce, his time was limited with his children growing up. He has been matched with Mitchell for a year now, he said.
"Being a big brother is like getting another chance," Shasky said. "I wish I would've done this a long time ago. I see a lot of me in him. We can share our experiences and talk to each other. I really don't know what I'd do without him."
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