Stefan is now known to many in the Bay Area as DJ Heartbreak, a man with sharp business sense, a tireless work ethic, and a deep-rooted commitment to the community. But Stefan’s path to being a professional DJ and entrepreneur wasn’t walked alone. It started back in Castro Valley with a Match that changed his […]
Jason was a student at San Jose State University, working full-time and navigating his own path. Coming from a military background where he moved frequently as a child, he understood fully the value of a consistent system. When he saw an advertisement for Big Brothers Big Sisters in a college magazine, he felt the pull […]
When Sneha, a software developer in the Bay Area, first met her Little Sister, Samantha, just over a year ago, she saw a reflection of her younger self: quiet, soft-spoken, and reserved. But Sneha knew that with the right mentor, an introverted girl could become a fearless leader. Sneha’s commitment to mentorship is deeply personal. […]
The pandemic hit everyone hard, but for Michael, a teenager from the Tenderloin district in San Francisco, it threatened to diminish his spark. He stopped drawing and felt demotivated until his Big Conor checked in and brought him outside to hang out. “Going out with Conor during the pandemic really helped me get back out […]
“I viewed our Match relationship more like a friendship than anything.” –Wrug, Big Brother. The first time that Big Brother Wrug met Little Brother Andrew, the conversation didn’t exactly flow. In fact, Andrew was a shy 6th grader communicating mostly through nods and one-word answers. Wrug, a finance professional trying to find common ground, broke […]
“When I first joined the program, I was an 8-year-old struggling with a lot. I’d been in therapy but needed someone who would stick with me. Kristen came in and helped me overcome behavioral issues. I feel a lot more confident in myself because of her.” – Aalisha, Little Sister. In the Bay Area, young […]
Twelve years ago, Eva Nunez was single-parenting her six children after a divorce, and knew her kids needed more support than she could give. Although they were all in therapy, Eva wanted her children to have a wider network of steady, trusted adults to show up in their everyday lives. Her daughters, Arissa and Hailey, […]
Lisa was 5 years old when her mother passed away, and life took a turn as she moved from Sacramento to San Francisco shortly after. Her grandmother, seeking positive influences for Lisa and her siblings, enrolled them in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program here in the Bay Area. It was early spring of 1975 […]
In 1975, a chance meeting at a Big Brothers Big Sisters event set in motion a relationship that would span five decades. Keith and Ted, matched as Big Brother and Little Brother, are celebrating an extraordinary 50-year friendship. Their brotherhood has profoundly shaped both of their lives and remains strong even to this day. Their […]
For over three decades, Jamie has helped shape young lives through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Her story is one of dedication, love, and the lifelong power of mentorship. Jamie has been a volunteer in every sense of the word. She’s been a teacher, a Big Brothers Big Sisters Board member, a wife, a […]