Match Stories

Big Sister Julia and her Little Sister Madison have been matched for over four years. Madison has been living with her grandmother and brother for most of her life because both her parents have a long history of incarceration. Although Madison did pretty well in school, she was definitely lacking in the self-confidence department and needed a special adult who would spend quality time with her and not let her down.

Then in 2015 along came her new Big Sister and their relationship and Madison’s self-esteem have blossomed ever since.  Julia and Madison have enjoyed doing a wide variety of activities together over the years, ranging from arts and crafts, roller skating, ice skating, fishing, making tie-dye t-shirts, bowling, going on the Screamer boat ride and seeing dolphins, checking out fall festivals and attending several BBBS Christmas parties, including one where Madison got a brand new bike for Christmas.  They even built a skateboard for Madison together at another BBBS event with Boards for Bros, and Julia helped teach Madison how to skateboard!

A few years ago, Julia suggested to Madison that she participate in the BBBS “Bucket List Essay contest.” Julia asked Madison to share something she always wanted to try.  Madison admitted that she admired an Olympic Gymnast she’d seen on TV and wanted to become a gymnast, too.  The only problem was, her grandmother couldn’t afford gymnastics lessons. So, Julia encouraged Madison to write about her wish to become good at gymnastics.  Madison did and even drew pictures of her doing gymnastics to accompany her essay and she won the contest!  Madison was super excited when she was awarded 10 free gymnastic lessons.  To make sure that Madison got to those gymnastic lessons, Julia drove Madison there and back each week for her lessons.  Madison learned a lot during that time, including how to do a split, which she was especially proud of being able to do.

Since then Madison has continued to expand her skills in sports, including cheerleading. But when she attended the annual BBBS Mike Alstott event, Madison preferred to compete in the relay races with the boys, rather than participate in the cheerleading activities, and as with everything else, Julia was there to cheer Madison on. Recently their Match Support Specialist asked Madison to tell her three things that her Big Sister has helped her with, and Madison immediately said that she has helped her with “self-confidence, and to always stay kind.” Madison shared that the thing Julia has taught her that she will never forget is to “never give up, and keep on trying!”  As if it hasn’t been enough to support her Little Sister and watch Madison’s confidence in herself grow these past four years, Julia has been an avid supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay as well. Recently she became an Ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay where she shares her experiences of being a Big Sister and encourages others at fundraising events to volunteer, too.  Julia also joined the Leadership Council to give back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay in other ways.

Learn how you can become a Big at bbbstampabay.org/be-a-big

Little Sister Asharia and Big Sister Shandra have been matched for over two years. Asharia has diabetes and Shandra has been a positive influence in helping Asharia learn about and manage her diabetes by exposing Asharia to new healthy recipes and teaching her how to cook them, which they often do together. The match also likes to try different exercise classes, such as Zumba, to continue teaching Asharia healthy habits. Asharia says that she enjoys everything the match does together! For one outing the match simply helped paint the office of Shandra’s coworker and Asharia said that she had fun with Shandra, even when they are just painting!

Asharia is currently a freshman in high school this school year and Shandra helped Asharia navigate through middle school and get prepared for high school. When Asharia and Shandra were first matched, Asharia was doing average in school but she wanted to work on getting her grades up so she could earn honor roll. Since they were matched, Asharia has made honor roll on several occasions despite the challenges that have come from switching between online and public schools. The match has been getting together mostly every Sunday to work on schoolwork for half of their time together, and they also get together during the week to have more opportunities for fun outings. When Asharia was asked to share something important her Big Sister has taught her, Asharia said: “To always believe in myself and to try hard and not be afraid to ask for help”.

Shandra loves planning match activities for Bigs and Littes. She has coordinated several BBBS match events with Savory Spice Shop in St. Petersburg and is scheduled to do a presentation on self-esteem for an upcoming Little Sister’s only match activity in early 2020.

Learn how you can become a Big at bbbstampabay.org/be-a-big

Each year we select a Big Brother & Little Brother and Big Sister & Little Sister to be Big & Little of the Year.

They both were looking to fill a void in their lives: one the unexpected passing of his younger brother, and the other a lifelong love of working with children as an elementary school principal. Now, after years of impactful and rewarding mentoring, volunteers from Pasco and Pinellas counties have been honored as the Big Brother and Big Sister of the year for 2019, the local agency announced today.

Big Brother Howie Taylor of Wesley Chapel and his Little Brother Hunter, who have been matched for more than three years, have been named the Big Brother and Little Brother of the year for BBBS of Tampa Bay.  And retired educator Carolyn Sinclair of Clearwater and her Little Sister Nikki, who have been matched for six years, have been named the Big Sister and Little Sister of the Year.

“Howie and Carolyn epitomize the impact that a caring adult can have on the life of a child,” said Stephen Koch, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. “I could not be prouder to have them representing our mentoring programs as our 2019 Bigs of the Year.”

After the death of his younger brother Chris in 2014, and the departure of his adult children from his home a year later, Howie started looking for meaningful ways to occupy his extra time. He helped found a charitable Gasparilla Krewe and took up numerous causes throughout Pasco County.

But none of them filled the chasm left by his brother’s passing. So when he saw a flyer about the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program, he decided to check it out. He signed up immediately after attending an orientation session, and shortly thereafter was matched with Hunter, at the time a shy 13-year-old whose primary past time was playing video games.

The two clicked from the start, enjoying time together at the park, fishing, bowling, attending various volunteering opportunities or just spending time together talking.

“Watching and participating in the development of this young man has given me a purpose,” said Howie, the Associate Director of Digital Marketing and Web Development at Coast Dental in Tampa (and can also be found at Raymond James Stadium on football Sundays, entertaining fans as part of the Buccaneers’ pirate ship krewe.) “I once concentrated on what was missing in my life, but I discovered that being a mentor to Hunter has taught me patience, understanding and the value of listening instead of reacting.”

Hunter credits his relationship with Howie for his improved self-confidence.

“He has helped me by showing that he believes in me, so I could believe in myself,” said Hunter, who accompanies Howie on many of his community service events. “Whenever I try something new, Howie is great at cheering me on. And he has taught me to be grateful for the things that I do have, and to work hard for the things that I want.”

Watch Big Brother Howie and Little Brother Hunter’s match story on YouTube.

As a former school principal, Carolyn recognized how much at-risk children benefit from having mentors and role models. When she was first matched with Nikki, Carolyn describes her as “shy, well behaved and somewhat sad.”

A year later, Nikki and her younger sister were placed in foster care. But Carolyn remained a constant source of support.

“I was and still am her staunch advocate,” said Carolyn. “Through our six-plus years together, there have been numerous changes in schools, addresses, living situations and foster homes. There have been a parade of case managers, social workers and counselors. Throughout all these changes, I was there trying to provide some sort of childhood normalcy for her.”

Nikki and Carolyn first bonded over a mutual love of books. Nikki, now 17 and a high school junior, is starting to weigh her college options and is considering a career in journalism.

“There was a point, in the middle of all the bureaucracy and logistics that comes with being in the foster care system, I was afraid that our match wouldn’t be able to continue,” said Nikki, who, along with her sister, were recently adopted. “But I’m so incredibly grateful that it did. Because through all the fears, tears and emotions, Carolyn was there. She was my one constant in a sea of tumult, my one confidant in the line of strangers that I had to learn to trust. And it was Carolyn that helped me learn how to do that.”

“The most important lesson I’ve learned from my Big Sister is to be positive,” Nikki said. “Positivity was hard to find in places that weren’t home. I found that in Carolyn.”

Watch Big Sister Carolyn and Little Sister Nikki’s match story on YouTube.

Carolyn and Howie are now eligible to compete for Florida’s Bigs and Littles of the Year, which will be determined later this year.

Learn how you can become a defender of potential at www.bbbstampabay.org