With more than half of all marriages ending in divorce, many children are raised in single parent homes.
But thanks to the help of local volunteers, many kids are gaining self-esteem and friendship through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
We show you how it's made a difference in the life of one area boy..in tonight's Family First segment.
"i can't explain it. It's just been really great. I can't really say it in words."
That's how much having a big brother means to Matt Hall.
13 year-old Matt had been on a waiting list since 2002 and was just recently paired with 22-year-old Brian Obermann this February.
"It's not hard to do, it's a lot of fun, it just blows me away that there's a waiting list that long."
But for Matt it was well worth the wait.
"Yeah he's really cool...You don't have to lie. I think it's pretty cool cause he teaches me new things...All my friends are like Matt you have college friends..yeah."
But most importantly it's an opportunity for building a true friendship.
"It's great, it's a lot of fun, there's really no reason not to, it's just a couple of hours a week, it's just a good time and it makes you feel good."
"Yeah, it's really great cause my brothers just annoy me 24/7 so Brian saves me."
"The goal is to provide and outside positive influence other than the single parent or extended family home that most of these children live in and to provide them with self-esteem and overall friendship to grow."
Unfortunately there are more children in need of a big brother or big sister than there are volunteers.
"Most of the kids are in single parent family homes and most live with their mother so we need a lot of male volunteers cause most of the children on the waiting list are males."
And two of them are Matt's younger brothers.
Oh i think they'll love it, especially Christian cause he has no friends to hang out with."
Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister requires a one year commitment and 2-4 hours of your time each week. But you can also follow in Brian's footsteps..he spends about 2 or 3 days a week with Matt because they have so much fun together.
If you're interesting in volunteering, you can call 417-626-9244.