Sometimes, the best thing you can do is listen. Ellen, a Community-Based Big Sister, learned that at the hands of her Little Sister Nevaeh. After being matched in 2017, the match got to know each other but it took some time. “I think we were both apprehensive and my go-to is to talk . . . a lot. I realized that she had so much to tell me if I gave her the opportunity," shared Ellen.

Nevaeh needed a mentor to show her how to make new friends and cope with feeling of anger towards others. She was struggling to find peers to celebrate and commiserate all the changes that middle school brings. Eventually, Ellen found that if she gave her Little Sister space, she would share her frustrations and challenges. Together they found ways to keep Nevaeh positive and more open to people. “I realized that everyone has bad days. Ellen helped me chill out and this is making all the difference.”

It's because of YOU and your support of our fundraising efforts, like Bowl for Kids’ Sake, that Nevaeh is a thriving freshman. She excels in art and math and plans to join theater where she’s looking forward to helping to create backdrops and scenery. Nevaeh’s experience in Big Brothers Big Sisters also has her eager to make a difference in the lives of others, just like Ellen did for her. Nevaeh is most excited about becoming a Big to an elementary student in the Big Brothers Big Sisters School Buddies mentoring program at her high school, she’s even actively recruiting her friends to be Bigs with her!