2024 Honorees Recognized at the Bigger Together Celebration in
Dallas, Texas
TAMPA,
Fla., June 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers
Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the preeminent one-to-one youth
mentoring organization in the United
States, announced the Bigs and Littles of the Year at the
2024 Bigger Together celebration, part of the organization's
four-day national conference in Dallas. Two volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and two
youth ("Littles") were selected to represent the over 400,000 Bigs,
Littles, and families participating annually— Christopher and Shane
from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas
City; and Donna and Melvina
from Big Brothers Big Sisters Services Inc.
"Our Bigs and Littles of the Year are a testament to the
profound impact of mentorship and the power of human connection,"
said Artis Stevens, President and
CEO, BBBSA. "We are thrilled to honor Chris and Shane, and
Donna and Melvina as this year's
Bigs and Littles of the Year, as each match exemplifies the rich
relationships created by pairing young people with positive adult
role models. These matches embody the transformative power of the
life-long bonds that have been the cornerstone of our mission for
over 120 years through the Big Brothers Big Sisters network
nationwide."
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America celebrates two incredible
matches each year, nominated by their local agencies, to serve as
the national representatives of Big Brothers Big Sisters. These
matches demonstrate the influence that a mentoring relationship has
on empowering Littles to pursue their goals in a 'big' way while
creating a long-lasting impact on both the young person and the
Big.
Big Christopher and Little Shane, Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Kansas City
"When I was nine, my dad passed away from brain cancer. That was
really tough for me, and I was really hurting. I got matched with
Chris a few years later."
When Shane lost his father, his mother knew he needed a male
role model in his life. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Kansas City, he was matched with
Chris. Both having lost a parent at a young age, the pair forged a
deep connection beyond mentorship—they became family.
Over the past five years, Chris has been a steadfast presence in
Shane's life, teaching him life skills like tying a tie, driving a
car, and providing invaluable guidance. With one year left in high
school, Shane is eager to have Chris' support as he graduates,
applies for college, and beyond.
"I made a commitment a long time ago, that I would always be
there for Shane for the rest of my breathing life, or as long as
Shane would have me."
Big Donna and Little
Melvina, Big Brothers Big Sisters Services Inc.
"Until now I hadn't disclosed why I became a Big. I did lose my
daughter, and my twin sister passed away three years prior to that.
As a result, I needed to help heal this hole in my life and in my
heart, and what better way to do that than to find another young
person I could pour into."
Donna turned to Big Brothers
Big Sisters in Winston- Salem,
North Carolina, who matched her
with Melvina. Although Donna
initially struggled to get Melvina to open up, she was patient and
persistent, ultimately nurturing a lifelong bond stronger than
either of them could've hoped for.
"She has been there with me every step of the way. I questioned
myself for a while and asked, 'why me?" and I now believe that I
deserve this. I deserve Donna and
everything that she came with. I love how she loves, and her
presence-- her just being here, means a lot to me," says
Melvina.
Melvina recently graduated from high school and has enlisted in
the military. She has been accepted into every college she's
applied to and is excited about her future. As the youngest of six,
Melvina was empowered to change her odds with Donna's love, support, and encouragement along
the way.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the
largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in
the United States. The mission of
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support
one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and
promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters' evidence-based approach
is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including
educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher
aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big
Brothers Big Sisters has over 230 local agencies serving more than
5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information,
visit: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
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SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America