Become someones dream come true!

Big Brother Big Sister by: Christine Czapek

I volunteer my time through an organization here in Charleston. The organization is called, Big Brother Big Sister. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organizations in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors children of all ages in communities across the country. I applied to BBBS when I was a freshman and got wait listed. I never received a call back and since I was so eager to join the organization, I reapplied last year. I was then finally accepted into the program and after the application process and interview within about a month I was given a little sister. My little sister’s name is Madi. She is an energetic 9 year old that loves being active and is fun to be around. I volunteer my time by hanging out with her at least once a week for about 2 hours at a time. Some of the fun activities that we have done are, bowling, painting letters for her to hang in her room, going out for pizza, exploring the pumpkin patch around Halloween, or just watching a movie and eating popcorn. Anything that we do, we have fun doing it, and enjoy our time spent together. I have really made a strong connection with Madi, and treat and care for her as if she was my real little sister. 

Spending time with Madi has made me realize that not everyone is as fortune it as others. Kids are in the BBBS organization for a specific reason. These are kids that are disadvantaged in some way, whether it be their family, or something else. Spending time with Madi really makes an impact on her life, as well as mine. I am considered to be a role model for her. I am someone that she can trust and look up to, and that is what she needs in her life. She does not have an older sister of her own, so I am looked at as that that older sister she never had. After learning about the effects that disadvantaged families have on children, I am very blessed to be given the opportunity to be a positive part of Madis life. As an FCS professional, I am able to really see the impact and improvements that just spending a couple hours a week can do. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to turn a person’s life around, and if I can do that and enjoy myself while doing it I am happy to help. 

Becoming a big sister is a process in its self. You have to answer and series of questions and essays and then are interview by the advisor of the program. During the interview process and after I was accepted, I have networked with the advisors that are in charge of the program. We have to check in once a month and by doing so I am gaining responsibilities to reporting back to someone the progress that Madi and I are developing. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that will help me gain experience in working with families that are disadvantaged in some way. Also, BBBS offers internships through their organization so if I were to be interested in interning there; being a part of their organization will give me an advantage. 

The effect that Big Brothers Big Sisters could have on the community is a positive outlook. If children are disadvantaged and do not have a stable role model to look up to, having the support of a big brother or a big sister can really change their life around. This organization serves many children all across the nation, and the results and bonds that have come from BBBS are outstanding and unforgettable. 

Overall, I am so happy and thankful that I have become a member of such a rewarded organization. I have always wanted to become a big sister to someone ever since my dad talked about his experience with his little brother in the program when he was around my age. I would not change anything about what I am doing. Madi and I been extremely close and our relationship is continuing to grow more and more each time we spend time together. I was driving Madi home one time after we had just hung out and she looked at me and said, “I wish we lived closer so I could hang out with you and see you everyday! That would be my dream come true.” Once she said that to me, I realized that I am really something important to her, and that made everything ten times better than it already was. Madi has impacted and changed my perception about life because she is such a special girl. Everyone deserves to feel special and I am helping that become true in the eyes of a little 9 year old really makes me feel proud about myself. I love that I am a big sister and would strongly recommend it to anyone that is interested. It is extremely rewarding for yourself and whomever you get matched up with.

Madi and I at the pumpkin patch.