Match Stories

Little Kenya and Big Flo have been matched since February of 2016. They started as a Site-Based match at a local school. When Kenya was suddenly transferred to a different school, Flo and their Match Support Specialist got permission for the match to continue at Kenya’s new school. Flo traveled almost an hour each week to continue her visits with Kenya. And when Flo was traveling abroad for work, she made sure to call Kenya on Saturdays and check-in with Kenya’s mom frequently.

When Flo’s work schedule changed in 2018, she couldn’t continue seeing Kenya during the week. Still, Flo felt that since the match had been together for a long time already, they were ready to transition to the Community-Based program. And Kenya’s mom agreed. Kenya’s Match Support Specialist met her at school to talk about going from Site-Based to Community-Based, and Kenya was so thrilled. “I remember how big her eyes got with excitement!”

Kenya and Flo have been taking full advantage of all the events BBBS offers for our Community-Based program. They have visited our partners at the YMCA several times, where Kenya got to work on her swimming skills. They’ve participated in The Night of Confidence Building with Reach Services and Pinellas Community Church, shopped for Christmas gifts for Kenya’s family thanks to TQL, attended the annual Holiday Skating Party, and much more. The photo above is from the Mike Alstott Football and Cheerleading camp.

They have continued to stay in touch throughout the pandemic by calling and texting each other every Saturday. Kenya has felt overwhelmed at times but always keeps a smile on her face. Her strength and optimism come from the influence of her wonderful Big Sister, Flo.

Big Couple Jonathan & Joyce, and their Little, Emanuel (Mani), have been matched for a year and have been going strong from the moment they met each other!

The three have done various activities together from going to the park, biking, visiting downtown Tampa, museums, and many more fun outings. Jonathan & Joyce set out to be positive role models for Mani and ignite his potential to achieve big goals. Since Mani met his Bigs, he has shown great improvements in his grades.

Mani always tells his Match Support Specialist, Jasmine, “ I have the best Bigs, and I’m lucky enough to have two!”. Mani’s mom is thankful that Jonathan & Joyce consistently there for Mani.

Although the pandemic has made it hard for the match to keep their normal routine, the Big Couple still made efforts to check in on Mani through phone calls and video chats. They have also gone on socially-distanced bike rides and practiced math flashcards from a safe distance. They are all glad to have one another to talk to and lean on during these uncertain times.

Big Brother Trever and Little Brother Gavin have been matched for over two and a half years. Trever joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay because he wanted to volunteer as a mentor to a child and teach them the importance of working hard and being responsible. Gavin was enrolled in the program at the beginning of 3rd grade because his mom wanted him to have a positive male influence in his life. She was looking for someone who could teach Gavin life skills, the importance of school, help him with his reading, and instill the value of saving and spending money wisely. Gavin was funny, polite, and talkative, and wanted a Big Brother because on occasion he “got lonely.”

On their first outing, Trever was already incorporating reading into their time together. They went out to eat and Trever helped Gavin read some new things on the menu. Trever talked about wanting to teach Gavin how to be a gentleman, work hard, and do basic “handyman” skills that “a kid learns while being around men.” By the middle of his 3rd-grade year, Gavin was still struggling with his reading and the school was not providing the individualized help he needed to succeed. Gavin’s confidence was dropping because he wasn’t able to read as quickly as the other kids. He had switched schools and was beginning to get into trouble. Despite Gavin’s struggles at school, Trever continued to consistently spend time with Gavin, talking about situations at school, bringing him to the motorcycle shop he owned, teaching him what it took to become a business owner, and showing that hard work and dedication can go a long way.

Within the first year of their match, Gavin had moved and changed schools twice, and Trever had a new baby, but their relationship continued to grow. Gavin had improved in school and both his mother and Big Brother noticed a lot of changes in Gavin’s growth and maturity. Regardless of the number of changes for Gavin in a short time, Trever never complained and remained consistent. A few months later the family moved again, but this time they moved nearly 1 hour away from Trever. Even with the distance, Trever was determined to remain in Gavin’s life and made the adjustment. He spent once a month with Gavin for all-day outings and made sure to keep in touch with Gavin and his mom over the phone in-between visits. Trever even introduced Gavin to his new baby!

Recently, Gavin started his 5th-grade year and made the decision that he wanted to “do better this year and dress nicer.” Gavin’s mom reported that Trever has had a number of conversations with Gavin about being responsible and suggested things he can do to help out his mom around the house. Gavin began doing his laundry and even cooked dinner for his mom! As they celebrated their 2 years match anniversary, Trever talked about what a good kid Gavin is and that he feels very lucky to be matched with him. They continue to grow their friendship and Trever teaches Gavin that even through life changes and distance, friendship doesn’t have to change.

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

Big Brother Michael has been matched with his Little Brother Jonah for over seven years. At first, Jonah was a very quiet kid and struggled with self-esteem issues. Michael is a Physical Education teacher and helped to instill more confidence in Jonah by involving him in sports – in particular, basketball.  Throughout their match, they have met regularly, at least twice a month, and would go to parks to play sports, go to sporting events, or attend BBBS events.

A few years into their match Jonah was bullied at his school and Michael decided to talk with the principal of the private school where he teaches to see if he could get a scholarship for Jonah to attend.  Michael’s perseverance in making this happen worked and the principal agreed to a scholarship so Jonah could attend the private school. Jonah remained at that school for two years and thrived. During that time Michael drove Jonah to and from school with him on his way to work, while still going on outings with him every other weekend.

At the new school, Jonah’s grades increased and his self-confidence did too.  By eighth grade, Michael and Jonah’s grandmother and aunt encouraged him to apply to an advanced technology magnet program at a local high school and Jonah was accepted!  But things were tough that first year, and though Michael worked on school projects with Jonah, and his grandmother got him tutoring, he was dropped from the magnet program. This was devastating for Jonah, who wants to be an engineer when he grows up, but also a good learning experience.  Michael continued to encourage Jonah to still keep doing his best, and Jonah has remained at the high school where he takes higher-level classes now as a 10^th grader.

Michael and Jonah continue to get out regularly, where their outings usually gravitate to going to the YMCA most Saturdays to work out (Jonah’s choice) and then shoot some hoops afterward.  Michael still continues to help Jonah with school projects periodically, but they do other fun things like the movies. They even attended Jonah’s friend’s Bar mitzvah, when Jonah asked if Michael would take him!  Their Match Support Specialist recently asked Jonah to tell her something that his Big Brother has taught him, and he said: “He’s taught me to always stand up for myself, and if people talk mean, just take it and know that they’re jealous and this makes you stronger as a person.”

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

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