Darinka De la Torre Castillo remembers what it was like to be a little in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. The connections she made were strong enough to last a lifetime, she said.

“I was a little since the fifth grade and I was in the program until I aged out at 18,” she said. “It’s a super, super great bond you make with these people.”

Now the tables have turned. De la Torre Castillo, a student at Kansas University, is volunteering her time as a “big.” Just weeks ago she was matched with her new “little,” a seven-year-old girl named Yaraniz.

“It’s very rewarding,” De la Torre Castillo said. “When I go pick her up, she’s super excited to see me. Whatever we’re doing, she tells me about her day — she’s comfortable enough to talk to me.”

Every day littles in Douglas County spend time with their bigs, going to see movies, going out for ice cream or simply hanging out in a school cafeteria. However, there are more than 60 children in the county still waiting to be matched, Program Director Leilani Tuttle said.

“Right now our list has 41 boys and 20 girls waiting,” she said. “We’ve got more boys coming in than girls, usually, and the girls match quicker.”

Two issues facing the program could be the yearlong time commitment asked of each big and a lack of familiarity with the program, De la Torre Castillo said.

“Some people just don’t have the time, especially if you’re in college,” she said. “Also the program isn’t as widely known as it should be.”

The issue with time commitment is a common misconception, said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County spokeswoman Mia Gonzalez, and it’s one program leaders are working to correct.

“It only takes one or two hours a week, and you’re hanging out,” Gonzalez said.

The program is also working to get its name out through efforts like the Go Big or Go Home Challenge, a competition that features Kansas college basketball coaches Bill Self, Gregg Marshall and Bruce Weber of KU, Wichita State University and Kansas State University, respectively. Each coach attempts to rally volunteers for the program. At the end of the year the coach with the most volunteers to their name will be declared the winner.

KU also has a Big Brothers Big Sisters Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County hosts Big for a Day events, actively initiating a dialogue with university students, individuals and couples alike, Gonzalez said. These events and conversations are meant to give potential volunteers a bit of insight into the program.

Those interested in volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County can find more information www.kansasbigs.org.