Big Brothers Big Sisters partners with Indianapolis Motor Speedway for recruitment drive

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana will once again collaborate with Indianapolis Motor Speedway in an effort to recruit mentors.

The organization hopes to recruit 500 mentors by the time the green flag flies at the Indy 500.

Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs adult volunteers with young people aged 8-18, to help youths with confidence, educational success and avoidance of risky behaviors. But the group said over 1,200 young people are waiting for mentors to volunteer their time.

Darcy Palmer-Schultz, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, said the waitlist is filled with youths from Marion, Hamilton and Johnson counties.

“That number represents more than 1,000 really amazing kids, mostly boys, who are waiting for someone to come spend time with them and really give them a chance to learn and grow,” Palmer-Shultz said.

The partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and IMS comes from a personal place. Allison Melangton, senior vice president of Penske Entertainment, was a mentor for 10 years.

“This is the most rewarding experience that you can have,” Melangton said. “Signing up to be a mentor and working with a young person to invest in this community. It gives back to what this great community has done for so many of us. And I would say, if you're even thinking about it, do it.”

A similar partnership with Indianapolis Motor Speedway was launched in 2023, which resulted in Big Brothers Big Sisters recruiting over 500 mentors. Palmer-Shultz says the organization hopes to replicate that success this year.

The group has until May 25, the day of the 109th Indianapolis 500, to reach its goal.

Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org.