Students looking to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman will notice changes in the program as the economy affects the organization’s budget and, consequentially, fewer matches are made.

The nonprofit organization is funded through donations and helps younger children find mentoring and friendship from young adults, typically at the college level.

Diane Murphree, area director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cleveland County, said their usual fall matching of 200 to 300 “bigs” to “littles” is estimated to drop to 50 to 60 matches this fall.

This year, BBBS received less funding from the United Way of Norman due to their own budget cuts, which have forced BBBS to cut some staff members who are responsible for making the matches between “bigs” and “littles,” Murphree said. Furthermore, BBBS cannot hire anyone new. Due to the decrease in office staff, fewer matches can be made and the waiting list for BBBS may lengthen.

“All we [are thinking] about right now is trying to get more funding,” Murphree said.

To continue creating matches, the office could use volunteers, Murphree said. The organization tries to match people with similar interests and hobbies so that when they meet, there will be an immediate bond.

“I think it’s a really great organization to get involved in,” said Valerie Hall, public relations junior. “It’s good for someone who doesn’t have a good home life to have someone to look up to.” Hall will continue to meet this year with the same girl she met with last year. It has made her realize how fortunate she really is, she said.

“You’re giving these kids attention that they might not be getting at home,” Murphree said.

She said the program is a lot of fun and that the kids really do look up to their “bigs.”

Matt Deimund, finance and accounting junior, meets with a first grade boy every week and said the program taught him about the importance of giving young boys a male role model.

“We don’t talk about deep stuff right now,” Deimund said. “But we could when he’s older.”

Michael Hitsman, University College junior, said he sees this as a unique way to volunteer.

“It’s almost a challenge to figure out how to help them out,” Hitsman said. “Each one has a different thing you can help them with, you just have to figure it out.”

Hitsman said he hopes to sign up for the program this fall or spring semester. He has worked with this program for a year and a half already.

“It’s not a hard program,” Murphree said. “But it’s a powerful one.”