BBBS Featu Matc ring hes By Sarah Piano The month of November is often a month where we focus on giving thanks and where we reflect on how to give back. Therefore, we wanted to recognize these amazing mentors and their littles and show you one way you can give back to our community.
Colleen (Big) and Alyssa (Little): Matched for 4 ½ years
ASKED COLLEEN: Why did you join BBBS? I always enjoyed doing respite foster care where I lived previously and thought being a Big would be fun as well. What activities do you enjoy doing together? Going to the BBBS planned activities What are some ways you have stayed connected during Covid? Through texting each other. What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a Big? Be patient and embrace diversity. ASKED ALYSSA: Why did you join BBBS? I joined because it seemed fun and I hoped to meet new friends and new people.
ASKED KREE: Why did you join BBBS? I joined BBBS because I was referred by a close friend. At the time I was asked, I felt like I really didn’t have the time with my job, family and handful of projects I was involved in. I thought about it and it brought me back to a time when I was a young boy and wanted someone who was older than me to look up to and for someone to be active in my life to hang out and spend time with me. What activities do you enjoy doing together? We have hiked the Red Rocks, library time reading books, we both like to go bowling which I can say he is getting pretty good. We had some awesome conversations over pizza at (Big Cheese Pizza) and watching funny YouTube videos with brownies (Which are his favorite) at Camille’s. He’s also taught me how to be a gamer and he showed me some awesome skills and some great tips from Ricks Cafe to play video games. I also have spent some time at his home when he couldn’t make it out to the main town to meet me. At his house he showed me all his games he has beaten, again showed me how to play those games, awesome times! We had also hit the court for some hoops! It’s amazing how we as “Bigs” can do the little things that make a huge impact in a kid’s life. What are some ways you have stayed connected during Covid? Covid is the major issue of connection which at times is so difficult and challenging. We have had some great phone conversations. We have tried to stay in contact but with Eric being in a rural 54 November 2020
What activities do you enjoy doing together? I like trying new recipes when we cook together. I also like going to the movies before the pandemic started but most of all I just like hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. What are some ways you have stayed connected during Covid? Mostly through text. We have also done takeout orders from restaurants and hanging out at her house. What do you like about your Big? I like my big a lot and am glad she is my big sister. She has a lot of exciting, wonderful stories about everything. I also like that she is a dog person and that we both like animals.
area where cell service is limited and no internet it’s very hard... when the time is right we shall meet in person but as of now we have our conversations over the phone. What would you say to someone who is considering Kree (Big) and Eric (Little): becoming a Matched for 2 years Big? Becoming a Big is more than a commitment, it’s having a friend for life. To be in a young person’s life and to stay connected with the young person is rewarding. The need to encourage, the need to help a young person grow, the need to help the young person succeed is such a blessing. Planting seeds for greatness. The potential is there for these young kids to do awesome things. We as adults have the power to ignite KREE AND ERIC CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE
