WESTFIELD — Micha Huber said her son has been on a waiting list for mentors for months.
"She told me there's just not a lot of mentors. I don't have a pool of people to go to to even match him," Huber said.
Huber's son aged out of other programs, so she is relying on the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program to help line him up with a positive role model.
"He's a really good kid," Huber said. "I just think having someone else in his life would help bring some more out of him so he could just show his full potential."
Huber isn't the only one waiting. Leaders with the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program said they currently need about 90 mentors countywide.
"Its definitely growing, a growing need so that number continues to increase and we continue to just really need male mentors," Megan Contreras, an early intervention advocate with the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program in Westfield, said.
Elaine Hildreth has worked with a mentor for a couple years.
"They help me with a lot of things," she said. "Then we talk, and just like it's pretty fun because then you have someone to talk to."
Contreras said the positive changes in children after working with a mentor is amazing to see.
"The power that one person can have, it can really change a kiddo's trajectory," she said. "If you care about kids, there is no other requirement. Just show up and its amazing the impact you can make."
Leaders said the time commitment is just one hour per week and mentors can do anything from help with homework to fun after-school activities.
"Just as a single mom, I can do a lot, but I can't be a male role model," Huber said. "I would if I could, but I can't."
So she hopes that by sharing her story, she can encourage potential mentors to sign up.
"It just doesn't take a lot of time to be that phone call away, or text away or good luck on your finals type text to make kids day," Huber said.
People interested in mentoring can visit Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program's website for more information.
