More "Bigs" Needed for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wichita Falls Program

According to the national nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters children with mentors or less likely to use drugs and alcohol and skip school less than their peers.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wichita Falls provides children in their program with mentors.

And right now, the local non-profit organization has more than 100 children, ages 6 to 18 years old, looking for guidance.

A game of basketball.

It's the perfect way to spend the day on a cool sunny morning.

But enjoying this type of fun is even better with a friend.

That's how Dylan Sapata describes his relationship with 10 year old Kimaja.

They met 3 years ago through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

"It's about these kids spending time with and adult that can be a positive role model and just some interest and do things with them," said Kem Hogue, BBBS Regional Executive Director.

But not all kids are like Kimaja..

Currently there are 244 children on a waiting list to find a mentor through the program.

A program which Sapata says has helped him just as much as his little.

"It's kind of made me grow up a little bit because i have to take care of someone else beside myself and he relies on me to be there for him," he said.

And Hogue says for Kimaja, "He has somebody to look up to, somebody to talk with and somebody to get ideas with on where he wants to be," she said.

For this pair most of their bonding takes place outdoors, like when they play with their rockets.

And though the bottle rocket never took flight they have launched something more important, a relationship that's lasted three years and counting.

The Big Brother Big Sister program makes diligent efforts to match their mentors with children who have similar interests.

And coordinators only ask that mentors spend 4 hours each month with their mentee.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor and helping make a difference in a child's life go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bbbswf