It’s been a big year for Big Brothers Big Sister of Humboldt and Area.

“It was definitely a year of change at BBS, but I think progress. We’ll call it a year of progress,” development coordinator Jodie Hergott said.

They had a record-breaking Bowl For Kids Sake in February, changed offices in the summer and brought in new staff in August.

Mentors are now at Humboldt Public School, one mentor will be starting in St. Augustine and mentors will be starting in the new year at Muenster High School. Go Girls and Game On programs will also be starting in 2018.

However the group still has 17 kids waiting for a mentor, case worker and long time big sister Morgan Forester said. Many of those are boys.

Forester encourages men to consider becoming a big brother.

“I would say, give it a chance. I think we always second guess ourselves and think we’re not the right fit, or it wouldn't fit into your schedule, but it’s so easy to make it work into your schedule.

“And if you’re not sure, you can start with the in-school mentoring program. That’s one hour once a week - and if it develops into more and you want to take it to the next step and be a big brother, then you can.”