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There are many indicators to determine if a match is successful. Are the Big and Little comfortable around each other? Are they both getting something positive out of the match? Do they enjoy their time together and want to continue to grow their relationship?

On September 25, 2006, LaBruce first met his Big Brother Grant. Almost nine years later, Grant has been privileged in watching his Little Brother walk across the stage at his high school graduation to accept his diploma, with honors. “I have been able to watch LaBruce grow up. In fact, I have known him longer than I have known my wife. He brings me joy and makes me a better person.”

Grant loves spending time with LaBruce and commented how over the years their choice of outings has evolved. “Years ago, we would spend a lot of time at EdVenture Children’s Museum. Now we go to a lot of University of South Carolina basketball and baseball games.”

LaBruce and Grant were asked why being a mentorship was important. For Grant, his answer was automatic. “There are a lot of kids out there who don’t have a role model. And without any guidance it is easy to go in the wrong direction.” Grant also added that “anyone can be a mentor and you will get as much or more out of the experience than you will ever believe possible.”

When the same question was asked of LaBruce, his answer mirrored his Big’s. “A mentor will guide you to do the right things and help you stay focused.” Staying focused is exactly what LaBruce has done.

After being on the honor roll since the fourth grade, years of mentoring and hard work have paid off. This fall, LaBruce will be heading to Midlands Tech College on a Life Scholarship that he earned after graduating in the top 30% of his class and maintaining above a 3.0 GPA. LaBruce said that he wants to major in Graphic Design with a goal of becoming an architect.

Nine years in the making, this match has been a success every step of the way. Bigs with the dedication like Grant, and Littles with the drive like LaBruce make our job easy and match graduation a celebratory occasion.

Navigating life is not easy for any parent, guardian or child. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Early in K’Vaughn’s life, Kristi recognized this and knew that she needed a male role model to be there for her son. K’Vaughn was matched with Big Brother Chris in 2005, when Little Brother K’Vaughn was just five years old. They were matched through a school-based program and soon after were moved to a community-based program after K’Vaughn asked Chris if they could meet out of school to spend more time doing other activities. Through the nine years of their matching, they have spent their time playing mini golf, riding go-karts, visiting the aquarium, attending ballgames, concerts, movies, swimming and bike riding.

Chris understands the importance of honesty, respect and character through his 27 years of service with the Air Force. He has made sure to bestow these values to K’Vaughn as he goes through his teenage years. Chris has encouraged K’Vaughn in thinking about his future, focusing on education and offering advice when needed. Even in times where K’Vaughn may be disappointed and frustrated, such as having an injury due to sports, Chris has been there to ensure him that things will be okay. Chris has made sure K’Vaughn understands that hard times help people develop patience and reflect on the good things in life. Through this support, teachers have reported seeing improvements in his reading skills, becoming more helpful and confident in the classroom. K’Vaughn is active in many school sports, including basketball, football and baseball, and has often made honor roll. “His future is so bright and I am excited to be along with him for the journey,” says Chris. K’Vaughn said Chris has helped him in every way, but most importantly, he is constantly teaching him “the right way to grow up.”

Chris identifies the necessity of parental partnership, too, demonstrating respect for Kristi’s role and stating how she does a phenomenal job as a mother. He discusses things with Kristi as he identifies the need, but also tries to be cautious to not violate the sense of trust in his mentor/mentee relationship with K’Vaughn. “As a single mother who wants the very best for my son, I could not ask for a better Big Brother, mentor and father figure in K’Vaughn’s life,” Kristi mentioned when talking about her appreciation for Chris and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. “He likes to make Chris proud and for me that shows what an amazing impact he has had on my son in the best of ways,” Kristi added.

There have been many sporting events, birthdays, graduations and even the attendance of Chris’ retirement ceremony. All of these moments are ones that Chris and K’Vaughn say have helped their relationship transcend the Big/Little framework. They see each other not as Big and Little any more – they see each other like family.

A lot can happen in a decade. When Big Sister Jessica and Little Sister Kianna first met, Little Sister Kianna was just a regular seven-year-old while Big Sister Jessica had yet to meet her future husband. Now, Jessica is helping her Little Sister visit colleges and apply for scholarships, while Kianna has seen Jessica get married and have two children. There have been many lessons that they have learned during the 10-year match, but above all they know through all life transitions, they must not give up on each other. “Life gets complicated and busy, changes happen, but it makes my and Kianna’s relationship that much more worth it,” said Big Sister Jessica.

Their bond is one that grew thanks to open dialogue and a willingness to discuss questions that may be uncomfortable. Being there for Kianna at an early stage in her life, Jessica has been able to guide her through all of the challenges of growing up. Kianna has grown to be a studious, instinctual and insightful young lady. She sees the value in hard work and believes that it will pay off for her. She is accepting of those who are different from her and she sees the value in different points of view. When talking about their friendship, Big Sister Jessica said, “Kianna is the friend who helped me relive my childhood. She reminds me what it was like to be a kid and to enjoy mixing all of the colors into one snow cone because it looked pretty and tasted pretty good, too.” Kianna has also helped Jessica become the mother she is today. Jessica credits her patience, empathy, creativity and awareness to Kianna and their friendship.

Jessica watched as Kianna walked across the stage at her elementary school graduation ceremony, she visited her right before her Junior Prom, and she recently toured college campuses to help Kianna decide where she wanted to apply. Although college is around the corner, they are both certain that nothing will change. They agree that they will still see each other, even saying that it will give them something to look forward to. “Being matched for 10 years, we still learn something new about each other every time we meet. Jessica has helped me become a young lady with plans for the future, and because of her I am ready,” said Little Sister Kianna.

How has being a Big Brother with how has being a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia impacted your life? This was the question that was recently asked to Drew, who just celebrated his three-year match anniversary with his Little Brother, David. Without hesitation, Drew responded, “This experience has been really good for me to be with a child David’s age. When we were matched, he was so young and I have been able to watch him grow and progress. It will help me be a better parent and not take anything in life for granted.”

Drew loves hanging out with David and introducing him to new things. “While growing up, athletics were a huge part of my childhood and I wanted David to have an opportunity to experience that also. We love going to the University of South Carolina sporting events. And with his mom’s permission, this year David was able to join a youth basketball league through my church. He has worked really hard and it is fun to watch him play!”

Drew said that he found out about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Columbia through word of mouth from good friends who had been Bigs with the agency and had great experiences. Drew felt prompted to become a volunteer because of his desire to connect with the community and give back.

When asked why being a mentor mattered, Drew believes that it is good for children to have different perspectives, and that it is important for both the Big and Little to be exposed to different experiences. Being a Big also allows Drew to positively impact David’s self esteem. “I want him to grow up and get a good education and be happy. But most of all, I want him to be confident.”

In the fall of 2008, Matt was a college freshman at Butler University (BU) in Indianapolis. Matt was driven, a “go getter,” and someone who wanted to make a difference. He signed up to be a Big through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana shortly after starting at BU. He was soon matched with his Little Brother D’Angelo, a 12-year-old who was not excited about the program and was lacking in some areas. D’Angelo showed little enthusiasm toward life after high school, mainly due to his poor academic performance.

Matt quickly learned D’Angelo’s struggles and saw that he was actually incredibly intelligent and eager to learn, he just needed the motivation to push himself to succeed. D’Angelo didn’t have someone to talk about college and the experience that college brings. Matt saw this as an opportunity to connect with D’Angelo. Many of their outings together were purposefully spent at BU. These visits to the campus gave D’Angelo a new perspective about what college was about. As they would walk through campus, Matt offered guidance to D’Angelo about life and encouraged him that college was within his reach.

During Matt’s senior year of college, he became the President of “Bulldogs Being Bigs,” a club that primarily aims to get Butler students interested in volunteering as Bigs and to organize activities for local matches to enjoy. D’Angelo spoke at one of the meetings to share his initial point of view of the program, and talked about how his negative perception of the program was no longer there. He mentioned how much he learned from Matt, as well as how excited and nervous he was.

“Today, D’Angelo is a completely different person than in 2008. The shy, reserved boy with low self-esteem who I met in October 2008 is nowhere to be seen. In his place stands a confident, determined young man who is excited to see what the future holds,” said Matt. D’Angelo now has the motivation to do well in school, and even found two new passions through school: choir and speech team. D’Angelo said that in middle school he always wanted to join the speech team but he was afraid of what people thought of him. “Matt helped me overcome that fear. He let me know if that if I have the confidence, right information and details to back it up, I can make an amazing speech.”

Another resource Matt used to understand D’Angelo was D’Angelo’s mother. Matt would talk to her to learn things from her perspective and see areas where Matt could be a positive influence. D’Angelo’s mother is grateful for her son’s Big Brother. “He taught D’Angelo to keep a positive attitude and an open mind. D’Angelo feels that he can be anything he wants in this world, and I have Matt to thank for that.”

Sara’s unique story as a Big began in 2005 when she was matched with her Little Sister Shay. A lively and energetic seven-year-old, Shay had limited direction. Over the next three years, Sara and Shay spent time together sharing family-style dinners and enjoying activities in Sara’s backyard. Then, Sara received a call that changed her life forever.

The Department of Human Services contacted Sara with serious news; Shay was being removed from her birth mother’s home. Sara and her husband, Randy, felt fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome Shay into a home where she already felt safe and loved. They did not hesitate for a moment – Shay was adopted on Dec. 17, 2008.

But Sara’s journey as a Big Sister wasn’t over quite yet. In 2009, she signed up once again to volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. Soon after, Sara was matched with Audri, a shy eight-year-old at the time of their meeting. Audri struggled with school and was diagnosed with ADHD, which deeply affected her self-esteem. Over time, Audri and Sara formed a strong bond where Audri felt comfortable sharing her struggles with school and friends. Together, they enjoy riding bikes, baking cookies, shopping and visiting the library. Audri is grateful for the impact her Big Sister has had on her life. “Before BBBS, I felt like nobody wanted to hang out with me,” said Audri. “Once Sara came into my life, everything turned around. She made it fun for me because when we met, everything in the past is gone.”

Just by having fun with Sara, Audri was able to transform her old insecurities into a renewed confidence. Audri soon became an excellent listener and communicator, which improved her performance in school. Audri felt encouraged by Sara’s strength and independence, enabling her to grow into the social butterfly everybody knew she could be. “When we met Sara, she seemed strong, independent, and level headed just like Audri needed,” said Audri’s mother. “Sara was able to see how to help Audri break out of her shell. She acts as her confidante when we, as parents, aren’t able to.”

Sara’s story, exceptional and unique, is a testament to the difference being a Big can make in a Little’s life. Just as Sara said, “There is joy in the little things in life and having a friend to share all of live with is a special blessing. I am forever changed. And it all started by just ‘having fun!’” Sometimes, simply having fun can create lifelong bonds that will change the life of a child in need for the better, forever.

Make your Big Impact by signing up to volunteer today.

Little Brother Ryan, now 11, had been on the waiting list for a Big Brother since age six. He recently got a big surprise. Ryan was selected to be the honorary Little for the Chuck E. Cheese’s April 14th Celebration campaign. Chuck E. served as his official Big Brother during the event. Ryan was so excited to be selected, especially since his favorite foods are pizza and nachos.

Ryan got more exciting news the next day when he was introduced to Seth Boyd of Dallas, Texas, who is now Ryan’s Big Brother. Seth made sure their first outing was special and memorable with a visit to the local fire station. Ryan’s mom, Kanessia, said she is so happy he got his match. She can’t believe how they are already bonding and becoming “buds.”

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program has impacted Ryan’s entire family. Ryan has three sisters and one little brother. His 13-year-old sister is also in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and is excelling with the mentoring she receives from her Big Sister.

Ryan hopes with Seth’s help he can go on and be the first in his family to go to college. His favorite subject in school is science. He loves animals and knows the proper names for many of them. Just ask him, and he can tell you plenty of details about his favorites!

He also wanted to make sure we mentioned in his story that he wants to be a famous basketball player and then a veterinarian. This young man has BIG dreams and now a Big Brother and a Big Mouse to help make those dreams come true.

A mentoring relationship can create a positive change in a child’s life by being a role model and a friend. Child & Family Services’ Big Brothers Big Sisters program gives children of the Greater New Bedford, Massachusetts area an opportunity to have a supportive mentor in their lives. Many times the program creates relationships that have long-lasting bonds continuing into adulthood.

A great example is the match of Little Brother Robbie and his Big Brother Derek. Matched in 2005, the duo is still very close and they keep in touch often. Recently, Derek attended Robbie’s graduation from Framingham State University where Robbie received his bachelor’s degree in speech and performance with a minor in journalism.

Before meeting Derek, Robbie was struggling academically in school, had weight issues, and was generally bored with his life. Upon being matched, Robbie finally met the challenge he was willing to conquer. Derek made him feel like he had someone who was challenging him for the better. “Derek motivated me,” Robbie explained.

After some time of meeting with Derek, Robbie began to notice some major differences in his life. “I was a heavyset boy and the doctor said by the time I was 17, I could have diabetes,” Robbie shared. With Derek’s help, Robbie was able to lose 100 pounds! His grades also began improving. “He helped me pass middle school math,” Robbie said. “He taught me until I understood it.”

Most notable about the relationship between Derek and Robbie is the special bond they share. Throughout the years they have been able to spend quality time hanging out and going to Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics games. In 2007, Derek took Robbie to an unforgettable Red Sox game at the Mass Mentoring Night at Fenway Park. At the game, Robbie was unexpectedly asked to throw out the first pitch. “My heart was racing; I was excited; I was pumped!” Robbie said, grinning from ear to ear.

The first pitch at Fenway Park was a very important moment for Robbie and Derek. They both credit this occasion as the time they realized that through hard work, dedication, and the strong bond that they had formed, Robbie was now out of his shell and ready to grow. “It was a good feeling knowing that I have made a positive difference in his life and I will continue to be part of his life,” Derek stated.

“Derek had a profound impact on my life,” Robbie said. “He helped me keep my grades up, stay healthy and get into college.” Robbie graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School in 2010, and continued his education at Framingham State to follow his dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. “In college I was on track to graduate in six years, but with Derek continuing to push me I finished in four-and-a-half years,” Robbie said.

The relationship between Derek and Robbie is a testament to what mentoring can do to change a life. Derek’s positive influence gave Robbie a better opportunity in life. Robbie is now a successful and educated adult who has a bright future ahead of him. Their bond remains strong and they continue to express the importance that their relationship has played in each other’s life.

Growing up, Alexia never really had an opportunity to experience life outside of her neighborhood, and unfortunately, her neighborhood was not a positive environment for a young child. “I grew up in a neighborhood with lots of violence,” Alexia remembers. “I never played outside.” Before long, to give her more of a chance to enjoy life as a kid, she was enrolled in her local Big Brothers Big Sisters program based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This would be the start of a life-changing experience for Alexia.

When she was in fourth grade, Alexia first met her new Big Sister Reina. Alexia enjoyed and looked forward to her time with her Big Sister, as Reina tried to provide new opportunities and experiences for her. “Every place I went with her, I’d never been there before,” Alexia says.

The pair enjoyed their time together, visiting the beach, going to Western Michigan University football games – where they even got to meet the team – and working in the garden. Because of her Big Sister, Alexia got a chance to experience a different kind of family life, sitting down to a family dinner for the very first time.

The impact that Reina had on Alexia growing up can best be exemplified by Alexia’s decision to sign up to become a Big Sister herself. “Reina is why I wanted to be a Big Sister,” she says. “She really made a difference in my life, and I want to give back.”

Alexia was first matched with her own Little Sister Amaricas three years ago. Their relationship has continued, even after Alexia started attending Western Michigan University. “I think it’s important to be a good role model,” she says. “I want to show Amaricas that there is more to life than the violence she sees. I want to show her stability, because I didn’t have that until I met Reina, so I want to be that for her.”

While it may not always be a favorite activity for the match, Alexia works hard to instil in her Little Sister the importance of paying attention to her schoolwork. Amaricas will even admit that the work they have done together has paid off, as she has noticed an improvement in her reading!

When asked what she likes about her Big Sister, Amaricas responded, “She’s nice and cute and so beautiful. She’s warm and fuzzy like a teddy bear.”

For her part, Alexia says she simply enjoys the opportunity to teach her Little Sister that “she can be smart and pretty at the same time.”

Seventeen years ago, Darryl was an 8-year-old boy growing up in a single-parent household, raised by his mother. Darryl’s mother worked hard to provide for her family, but that also meant that she could not always be there to ensure that Darryl was on the right path. Like many other children growing up in his neighborhood, Darryl was exposed to numerous situations not conducive to a healthy adolescence. Drugs, alcohol, truancy and gang violence were all commonplace in the area he lived.

It was not until his mother signed him up with Big Brothers Big Sisters that he was able to recognize the importance of having people in his life who could make a positive impact on him. After signing him up with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Darryl was matched with a Big Couple, Greg and Barbara. Darryl enjoyed the time he spent with them, going to ballgames and the park and even having nice sit-down meals in the evening every once in a while.

Darryl appreciated the support, guidance and encouragement that Greg and Barbara were always ready and willing to give him. On a special day, when he was 10, Greg and Barbara took Darryl to their office downtown. While there, they encouraged him to give thought to what he might want to be when he grew older.

“They told me that I was smart enough and that I was hardworking enough to achieve any level of success that I could set my mind to,” Darryl said. “If someone doesn’t plant vision in your life and take you places that you’ve never been or show you things that you’ve never seen, how can you dream any bigger?”

Darryl recognized the impact that having Greg and Barbara in his life made on him. Realizing that he could contribute as well, when the time was right, he signed up to become a Big Brother and was eventually matched with his Little Brother Jaylin. He took the time to honor his commitment to Jaylin, showing him new experiences and introducing him to new opportunities and new people. In time, Jaylin’s social skills improved, his personality emerged and his school work became an important part of his life.

Darryl, now a petroleum engineer and board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston, summed it up: “The reality is, I don’t know where I’d be had I not met Barbara and Greg, and I don’t know where I would be without Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

Last year, Robyn, a Comcast employee in Illinois, was matched with a local high school student named MeKayla. The pair was matched through the Comcast Beyond School Walls mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago.

Over the past year, one event that Robyn and MeKayla particularly enjoyed was Comcast Cares Day, held at MeKayla’s high school. During the day, they helped to complete a project at the school, which included building a flower garden, putting together and staining picnic benches, and creating an outdoor mural for the entrance of the school.

MeKayla enjoyed the opportunity to work side by side with Robyn during Comcast Cares Day. She liked getting to introduce Robyn to her friends, and also had fun getting to meet Robyn’s daughter.

“The Comcast BBBS Beyond School Walls mentoring program helps me to work on what I need to do to be successful not only in school, but also in life as I get older,” MeKayla said. “Robyn, my mentor, also helps to motivate me and keep me on the right path.”

The Beyond School Walls program, first started in 2008 as a partnership between Comcast and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, matches Littles with Bigs who lead successful working lives in the community. Students in school are matched in one-on-one mentoring relationships with professionals who help to give them a look at a real working environment, and to help offer guidance for the future. Since its start, it has continued to spread around the country and has become a unique volunteer model.

Robyn understands the chance she has to have a positive impact in MeKayla’s life. “I truly appreciate the work that BBBS does to create this mentoring opportunity for the Littles and Bigs,” she said. “High school is an important time in life. It is full of big choices. I am lucky to be MeKayla’s Big Sister and always look forward to talking with her.”

Soon, Comcast Cares Day 2015 will again see participants working on a project directed by a student in the program, Vincent, along with Comcast employee Chris Jewasinski. The project will involve creating an outdoor volleyball court, as well as beautifying the outdoor areas where students like to spend time before and after school.

About one year ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas elected a new board member – but not your typical board addition. This new member was 12-year-old Little Eric. A member of the program since he was 5 years old, Eric is very familiar with Big Brothers Big Sisters, having participated in various events and activities over the years.

Eric grew up without a father or brother, so his mother, Scharlena, signed him up with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Before long, he was matched with his new Big Brother, Marcus.

Scharlena mentioned that being matched with his Big Brother Marcus has made a huge difference in his life. “The first time he met his Big Brother, it was a Christmas present,” Scharlena remembered. “He was overwhelmed with joy!”

Eric has been heavily involved in supporting the organization throughout his time with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He has been featured in two radio commercials and has been featured in all the major San Antonio news networks. He was featured in the news as an “Extraordinary Kid” when he was just 5 years old. Now, even local anchors recognize him.

Eric works closely with the external relations team to give facility tours and contribute to presentations, and he has even done a bit of lobbying – sharing his story with various state representatives and senators!

“The impact Eric has on our agency is his incredible gift,” said Denise Barkhurst, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas. “He makes connections with everyone he comes across, whether it be staff, donors, board members or members of the Texas Congress.”

Eric, with the support of his mother, Scharlena, believes in Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I don’t want kids to wait,” said Eric. “I’m glad there’s a program to help others like me who don’t have a brother or father.”

At age 13, Xavier was facing obstacles that would be difficult for anyone at any age or life stage. His parents had recently divorced, and he lost all of his possessions in a house fire. With few goals and low self-esteem, Xavier never really stood out among his peers. He was not overly popular or athletic, and he did not excel academically. His mother recognized that he needed something else in his life, so she signed him up with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters.

After going through the enrollment process, Xavier met and was matched with his new Big Brother, Air Force Maj. Joe Hunt, who was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. The pair very quickly bonded over a number of things, including their love of sports cars, action movies and working out.

Over time, Xavier and Joe continued to grow close. As they did, Xavier’s grades even began to improve. Joe gave Xavier one piece of simple, steadfast advice: “Do your very best in every endeavor, and you will be fine.”

After getting an introduction to what it was like to be a military officer, Xavier decided that was what he wanted to do with his life. With Joe’s encouragement, he signed up for JROTC at his school. It was in JROTC that Xavier finally felt like he had found his niche. He quickly rose to the top of his JROTC class, and he earned an ROTC scholarship to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, among other honors.

“Without my Big Joe, I never would have taken my first step of joining JROTC; I would have never received a scholarship to the Air Force Academy, and, most importantly, I would never have become the man I am today,” Xavier said.

Today, having retired from service as a U.S. Air Force officer, Xavier works as a civil engineer and project manager for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Xavier’s story exemplifies the level of impact and positive influence that having a Big Brother or Big Sister can have in terms of helping support and provide direction, increase self-esteem and improve academic performance.

Nearly 20 years ago, Tim was a reporter working for the Topeka Capital-Journal. At that point in his life, Tim felt the need to give back to his community, so he signed up to volunteer with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was at that point that he first met his new Little Brother, 10-year-old Kenny.

“I still remember that day like it was yesterday,” Kenny recollects. “We met at McDonald’s. I had so much anticipation about what my Big Brother would look like: Would he be short or tall, fat or skinny? When Tim walked in, I felt this huge sigh of relief. ‘Oh, good, he looks normal.’”

Kenny’s family life was not always an easy one, so having someone in his life like Tim very quickly became a constant, positive presence. The pair realized they shared many similar interests, including sports and classic rock music. Tim and Kenny would get together nearly every Sunday to spend time together, watching sports, hanging out and talking about life.

As a testament to the impact that a mentor like Tim could have on someone like Kenny, in 2011, Kenny became the first person in his family to graduate from college, graduating from Kansas State University. Tim was in the stands, cheering on his (not so) Little Brother.

There’s no question that Tim and Kenny’s relationship has had a dramatic and deep impact on both of them. Not too long ago, Tim stood by Kenny’s side as his best man when he married his wife, Maria. And again in that same year, Tim was at Kenny’s side to support him after both of Kenny’s parents passed away.

Kenny and Tim both agree they each benefited greatly from their relationship. For his part, Tim, who never married, says that in Kenny, Maria and their son, Kyle, he has family for life. Kenny even gave Tim the honor of being Kyle’s godfather.

Tim sums it up like this: “There was never any question in my mind that I would stick by him.”

Three years ago, Aaron was struggling greatly with his reading. In October 2011, after enrolling in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, he was matched with his new Big Brother, Thomas. After devoting much time to working on his reading, Aaron now sees reading as one of his favorite things to do!

After enhancing his reading skills with the help of his Big Brother, Aaron has begun challenging others to take up reading as well. Aaron is encouraging others to read a book a week during March, which is National Reading Month. To help kick off the Reading Challenge, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County recently had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the “Little Free Library” that Aaron and Thomas helped create with donated books.

During the month long challenge, Aaron is encouraging participants to read one book per week, and to participate in special challenges. For each book and challenge completed, the participating Little wins a prize/ Along with reading throughout the month, Aaron has asked that participants join in the fun by writing their own stories to share at a book fair at the end of the month!

As an example of the impact having a dedicated mentor can have on the life of a child, Aaron went from barely being able to read to reading so much that he wanted to donate his old books and develop a creative way to get others excited about reading!

If you are curious to learn more about the fantastic job that Aaron and his Big Brother have been doing, click here.

Taryll knew there was something special about her new Little Sister Blessin from when she first learned about her. She knew the match was meant to be. The two were matched as a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia in South Carolina.

Even from the early stages when the matching process began, Taryll discovered just how similar her life was to Blessin’s. “I learned I was literally going to be mentoring ‘myself’ as a little girl,” Taryll said. “Blessin is being raised by her grandmother, and so was I. I can help Blessin because I used to be Blessin!”

When Blessin and Taryll get together, there is never a dull moment. They both share similar outgoing personalities and spirits. Whether they would pay a visit to a museum, take a trip to the library, enjoy a friendly game of bowling or simply share a phone conversation together, they are both very thankful for their time together.

“Not only do I believe I impact her life, but she has definitely impacted mine,” Taryll said. “She is such a joy to be around. Her grandmother and mom are very supportive of the program and want the best for her, and I would like to assist them in making sure she is presented with some grand opportunities.”

In 2008, Brittin attended an information session on Big Brothers Big Sisters at Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. During the presentation, she grew inspired by the opportunity to work with children and make a difference. After signing up to volunteer, Brittin had a couple of matches through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois’s school-based program before being matched with her current Little Sister, Tariah, in the summer of 2011.

Tariah lives in a small apartment with her mom, her brother and her two younger sisters. Tariah is grateful for Big Brothers Big Sisters as it provides her with both a constant friend and mentor in her life. This is a role Brittin takes to heart.

The two have started a tradition, with Brittin starting off each match outing by asking Tariah what things have made her happy, sad or frustrated since they last saw each other. Oftentimes, Tariah will ask Brittin the same question. This serves as a chance for them to touch base and stay current on what is going on in each other’s lives.

Brittin and Tariah enjoy a balanced mix of activities – from volunteering to roller-skating. From the start, Brittin has tried to place importance on having fun, but also on working on Tariah’s schoolwork. Whether they’re improving her spelling test grades or tackling any other subjects, working on Tariah’s education has always been central part of their time together.

Their range of outings allows the two to also work on things like improving Tariah’s social skills and challenging her to get out of her comfort zone. Sometimes they will do homework together, and other times, for example, they will just go roller-skate for hours!

For Tariah, she simply enjoys having Brittin be a part of her life. “Brittin is someone of my own, and that is special to me,” she says. “I feel better about myself since I have Brittin, and I want to be so many things when I grow up now. I love having Brittin as a Big Sister.”

Marilee has been affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk County, now a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, for more than 14 years! Following her first match, which lasted seven years, Marilee met Ay’Sha in 2008 during a site-based program at a Lakeland elementary school. The two are still successfully matched today!

Once a week, Marilee would visit with her Little Sister at school to help Ay’Sha with some of her reading and math difficulties. As time progressed, the two enjoyed their time together so much that they continued their match through the community-based program.

While they continued to work on improving Ay’Sha’s school work, they also spent plenty of time discussing some of life’s bigger issues – such as making friends and fitting in at school. They always still found opportunities to have fun and enjoy a lot of different activities together. When Ay’Sha was 11 Marilee even taught her how to swim, and now going to the pool is one of their favorite activities.

Throughout Marilee and Ay’Sha’s seven-year match, they have had many fun times and experiences together. But Ay’Sha says she simply loves any time the two spend together, laughing and talking.

As Ay’Sha put it, “my Big Sister is the greatest!”

Growing up in a crowded household with many siblings, and young parents, Latara enrolled in her local program with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a way to get to enjoy new experiences. Latara appreciated having someone she could hang out with, and who would be there for her. The incredible impact and experience has inspired Latara to now become a Big Sister too!

Following her time as a Little Sister, Latara grew older and went on to graduate college and earn a Master’s Degree in Education. She currently works as a Pathway Coach for Charlottesville’s City of Promise, a Department of Education Promise Neighborhood initiative. In this role, she helps improve the educational and developmental outcomes of middle school girls and high school boys living in underserved neighborhoods.

Latara wanted to serve her community and to see the rewards that come with lending a helping hand. In 2012, she became a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge in Charlottesville, Va. where she was matched with her Little Sister, Keyshanna.

“After college, I found myself with spare time and not really having anything in my life that made me feel as though I was doing my part in the community,” Latara said. “By becoming a Big, I knew that I was signing up to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Together, Latara and Keyshanna enjoy a number of fun activities, including participating in a local cooking club, doing yoga and arts and crafts. Latara noted that beyond experiencing different activities, ultimately, they enjoy just sharing time with each other. Latara has also seen a marked impact on Keyshanna, who has gone from being reserved and shy to increasingly outgoing.

Latara understands the need for programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, stating that she feels every child, especially those in need, “should have at least one person in their life who they can go to, helping them to navigate various transitions they will face in their life, challenges and rewards.”

When Josh was in elementary school, he participated in the local site-based program through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Piedmont in North Carolina. As a part of the program, Josh met on a weekly basis with a woman named Jennifer. Jennifer would eat lunch with Josh, help him with his homework and even just talk about what was going on in Josh’s life.

After Josh completed elementary school, the two still met regularly. To spend more time together, Jennifer transferred the match to the community-based program. As their match continued and Josh got older, Jennifer realized that he could use some quality time with a male role model. After convincing her husband Frank to sign up to become a Big Brother, he and Josh were matched more than five years ago.

Early in their new match, Saturday mornings were reserved for karate lessons. At 9:30 a.m., Frank would pull up to the house to meet Josh. Following karate, Frank and Josh would always take to exploring the community. The two usually at least got a bite to eat, took a moment to discuss what was going on in Josh’s life, and what he could do to prepare for the future.

Josh enjoys music, of which Frank is delighted to share his knowledge, being a talented musician himself. While Frank teaches Josh quite a lot about music and musical theory, the most enjoyable part is when they get to jam together, playing drums and guitar.

With Frank at his side, Josh has been able to grow and mature into a young man. In June of last year, Josh graduated from high school! Even though their match within the confines of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program formally ended, that has not stopped Frank and Josh from continuing to spend time with each other nearly every Saturday.