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

We are excited to announce our 2018 Bigs & Littles of the Year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay! Each year we select a Big Brother and Big Sister match to represent our organization. The selection process involves matches being nominated by their Match Support Specialist, then sending the finalists to a selection committee comprised of Board members and corporate and community partners.

Big Sister Jessica & Little Sister Angie have been matched for over 3 years, ever since Jessica moved to Tampa from New York at age 20. Jessica was excited to be a Big Sister to Angie “to share all the values I learned growing up and to be able to make a difference in someone’s life.”

“This relationship has truly touched me,” Jess said. “I feel like I’m not only a mentor and role model to her, but also a true friend. I am usually a fast-paced person and juggle a lot of things in my everyday life. But with having Angie as my Little Sister, I have learned to slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life. The joy she has when she accomplishes something she didn’t think she could do is overwhelming and truly humbling. Her excitement for life has renewed my own sense of joy.”

“She has shown me that I can be comfortable with being myself no matter what,” said Angie, who likes to go roller skating with Jess while wearing matching costumes or hats. “Jess has impacted my life so much. I am so grateful to have her as a Big Sister.”

You can watch Big Sister Jessica & Little Sister Angie’s Big & Little of the Year video here.

Big Brother Michael & Little Brother Tavoris have been together more than 5 years, getting matched after Michael moved to Tampa following his graduation from the University of Connecticut. “I came here knowing that it was my turn to try and open doors for other people,” he said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay was a perfect fit.”

When they first met, Tavoris was shy, had some struggles in school and occasionally would misbehave. Now his report card is full of As and Bs, and he and Michael have made several speeches together, once addressing a crowd of 500 adults. “If Michael was never in my life, my whole life would be different,” said Tavoris. “My school grades would not be as good as they are right now. My attitude would be different. My personality would be way different. Michael is a big part of my life.”

You can watch Big Brother Michael & Little Brother Tavoris’ Big & Little of the Year video here.

If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, find out more information here.

Gen2Gen, a national organization that matches senior citizens with youth mentors, is hosting the Movies and Mentors competition

Who is your favorite movie mentor? Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid? Yoda in Star Wars? Movie mentors are an integral part of movie culture. That is why Gen2Gen, a national organization that matches senior citizens with youth mentors, is hosting the Movies and Mentors competition.

All you have to do is nominate your favorite movie featuring a Gen2Gen mentoring relationship. Once you have nominated your movie you will be entered to win $500 in movie tickets! Not sure how to choose your favorite? Host a watch party where you can watch your favorite Gen2Gen mentoring movies with your friends! It’s a great opportunity to talk about intergenerational mentoring while choosing the best movie to nominate. You can nominate your favorite Gen2Gen mentoring movie here. The deadline to nominate your movie is February 22^nd. Voting for the top pick will run from March 6^th-March 27^th, and winners will be announced on April 10^th!

If you think mentors only make a big difference on the big screen, hear about this Match with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Growing up with an abusive father, Roy vowed that he would be different — a promise he kept with his own kids. But when his two sons left home, Roy found the nest awfully empty. He babysat for his three granddaughters, served at his church, and took up new hobbies, but nothing seemed to fill the void.

After reading about Big Brothers Big Sisters in the paper, Roy decided to sign up. He was matched with Cahill, a 12-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who often struggled with social interactions.

Despite some awkward outings at the beginning, the two ended up bonding over superheroes and video games, enjoying time at the lake and trips to the state fair together. Roy watched Cahill’s attitude change from “I’m only doing this because my parents are making me” to excitedly bursting out the front door whenever his truck approached.

Five years later, at age 17, Cahill still enjoys spending time with Roy. “What began as an attempt to find purpose in my life,” Roy says, “has evolved into what might become a life-long friendship between Cahill and the ‘dude.’”

Nine million young people are growing up without a mentor in their lives. You can make a big difference for one of them. Learn more about becoming a Big here.

And don’t forget to nominate your favorite Gen2Gen mentoring movie!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay partnered with the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival to create a community mural that will leave a lasting impact.

The community of St. Petersburg came together to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay in creating a 90-foot mural in Childs Park. In collaboration with the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, local artists Derek Donnelly and Chad Mize, the St. Petersburg Leadership Council, and the Florida Dream Center, the “Dream Big Be Big” mural was the kickoff event for the ten-day festival that highlights the power of public art all over Downtown St. Petersburg.

Thirteen Big/Little matches participated in making this mural a reality. Prior to the event, the Matches received a lesson in the techniques of muralism while brainstorming the greater idea of what it means to “dream big”. Empowering youth through art, the mural included imagery symbolizing what it means to be bigger than oneself with illustrations of hearts, animals, and words of positivity included in the painting. On the day of the event, friends, family, and community leaders, including the Mayor of St. Petersburg Rick Kriseman, took part in the painting the mural, truly making this a symbol of the neighborhood’s comradery and goodwill.

This project sincerely inspired not only the Bigs and Little who participated but also the community that came together to create this life-long impression on the park and all those who will visit the mural in the future.

Want to get involved with projects like this? Mentor a child with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay!