The Big Brothers / Big Sisters program helps match youth with adults.

Sarah Adams, a Match Support Specialist with the organization,  works in both Geary and Riley counties. She informed the JC Breakfast Optimist Club Wednesday that “there are currently 160 active matches between “Bigs and Littles,” however there are also 80 “Littles” on a waiting list to be matched with “Bigs.”

In her role with Big Brothers / Big Sisters Adams receives referrals of youth who are struggling in school, are in a home where there is domestic violence and / or abuse, are living in poverty and in need of an adult mentor for a minimum of one year. She then matches the youth with an adult mentor or a “Big.”

Adams is working on a school based program with area school counselors and social workers to identify students who could benefit from the Big Brothers / Big Sisters Program by having a mentor to help with school work, encourage youth and be a positive influence in the life of a young person.

Big Brothers / Big Sisters volunteers must be 18 or older, pass a background check, be a high school graduate or have a GED and commit to working with a youth for at least one year.

The Breakfast Optimist Club donated $200 to Big Brothers / Big Sisters.