LITTLE MOMENTS, BIG MAGIC  

Stories and Testimonials

 

Dear Prospective Big Brothers/Sisters,

I became a Big Brother for a few different reasons.  Firstly, being the youngest in my family I always wanted a younger sibling.  Secondly, I believe it is important to do some thing for people who are less fortunate than yourself.  Finally, my childhood was such a great experience that I wanted to make sure that a young boy was not out there, not enjoying his childhood.

Getting started in the program I did not know what to expect and had many questions.  Would I be able to commit myself to this kind of program? What if I can not help this young person? What if he does not like me? I went through the process with both excitement and concerns.  Once approved, the clinical supervisor found a match for me based on common interests and hobbies.  I met my “little” in the fall of 1998.  The first time we met, my “little” seemed a bit shy and quiet.  I met with both him and his mother along with a Big Brother representative.  The program found me a “little” who was interested in the same things that I was interested in, particularly sports.  We began growing our relationship step by step, until eventually, my “little” was the younger brother I never had.  I gained his trust as he gained mine.  Soon we were doing many different things together, not just sports activities.  It was amazing to see how our relationship developed.  I must say that there were definitely some trying times, just as there are in any relationship.  My “Little's” progress sometimes seemed like a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs.  Sometimes, when he made improvements, especially in school, he would take a step in the wrong direction.  But I kept showing my faith in him and showed him how I would be there for him no matter what happened.  Now three years later, my “little”, is about to finish his first year of High School with solid grades and a much happier outlook on life.

For anyone thinking about volunteering as a Big Brother or Sister, I must say that it is a wonderful experience.  Yes, it is a commitment and yes you must take time out of your personal schedule.  But the satisfaction you will get out of that relationship is second to none.  You do not have to have all the answers and you do not have to transform your “little” overnight.  You just have to be there for them and show them that they are important and they can succeed in life.  This experience has helped with all of my relationships and I believe it will help me be a better father myself when that time comes.  And to know that this young person will have a better chance to succeed in life due to the time we spend together is a great thing.

-Matthew (Big Brother)