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— Big Brother Jamie
Mike and Tom
Darius and Cleve
Jessa and Melanie
Victor and Anton Mike and Tom
The first day Big Brother Tom met Little Brother Mike, they talked about school.
“I’ve got seven more years of school left,” said Mike, age 10. “Then I never want to think about it again.”
Tom asked “What about college?”
“College?” said Mike. “College isn’t for people like me.”
Tom was shocked, but didn’t try to talk him out of that. Instead, he became Mike’s friend – his older brother – the kind you can talk about anything with. While they were visiting arcades, movies, restaurants, they would talk about Mike’s life, and Tom would be sure to mention his respect for his Little Brother’s mind.
When Mike’s grades improved, Tom was sure to compliment him on it.
And when they “just happened” to go to events on college campuses, Tom made sure Mike saw first hand just how much fun college life could be.
Two years later, while talking about a business trip he’d just taken, Tom’s Little Brother asked “Do you think I could work with you when I finish college?”
Tom’s heart stopped beating. “Are you going to college?” he asked.
Mike looked at his Big Brother incredulously, “Of course!” he replied.
Now three years into the relationship, Tom has seen Mike’s confidence grow too, along with his social skills. Much as they enjoy spending time together, the most exciting thing for Tom is to wonder: What will his Little Brother Mike be like in five years?
Darius and Cleve
Little Brother Darius is only 9 years old – and his dad hasn’t been around for most of that. He’s athletic, and his mom can’t keep up, so she enrolled him in Big Brothers Big Sisters, hoping to find someone for her son to play sports with.
But that wasn’t what Darius wanted when he met his new Big Brother Cleve.
“Can you,” he asked very shyly, “come to Cub Scouts with me?”
Every week Darius would see other kids come with their dads, and it meant the world to him when Cleve said yes.
Now they make arts and crafts, learn new skills, and earn merit badges together.
Then one day Darius called up his dad, who now lives several states away, and handed Cleve the phone.
Cleve was nervous – terrified – at what this man had to say. Would he be angry that Cleve was going Cub Scouts with Darius in his place?
But instead of a rant, instead of anger, he heard a quiet, gentle speech of gratitutde from a man literally stuttering with happiness. “Thank you,” Darius’ father said, “for being there for my son.”
Jessa and Melanie
Just weeks after Little Sister Jessa got a new Big Sister, her guardian passed away. Jessa, only 8 years old, spent the next months shuttling between homes, and was painfully shy.But her Big Sister, Melanie, stuck with her the whole time, meeting her every week, being a stable presence in her life. . . being a friend.
Now, two years later, Melanie says her Little Sister has come out of her shell – Melinda is more open, more confident, and much more expressive. She even says she’s writing a novel.
For Jessa, her Big Sister’s willingness to hang in there through a difficult time made all the difference in the world. And Big Sister Melanie says it’s one of the happiest things she’s ever done.
Victor and Anton
Big Brother Anton and Little Brother Victor are doing the coolest thing two guys can do in their spare time – making a zombie movie.
Oh, sure, they go rock climbing and play sports together, too, but ever since Anton got back from Sundance and bought a video camera it’s been zombies.
Anton said he was inspired to discover what a kid can do with a video camera and. . . well. . . Victor’s a kid.
So they started writing a script, then made a story board, and now they’re getting ready to start shooting the movie next week.
When they’re finished, they’ll have a barbecue with all their friends to celebrate – the best way to have a wrap party.
“My Big Brother is awesome!” says Victor.
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