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, were Matched with Bigs Gina and Courtney in our program first. Then, one by one, her younger sons David, Jimmy, and Michael were Matched too. “I wanted them to explore and go out of the box,” Eva says. “I grew up without much support, without many fun things to do or aspirations in life. I didn’t want to see my kids in that disparity, with only fantasies of what they could do on the weekend.”
What began with simple outings like crafts and movies expanded into a community of care. David’s Big, Bob, hosted pool parties where the siblings were inspired to learn to swim. Michael met his Big Matt’s fraternity brothers. Arissa was thrilled to be a part of her Big Gina’s wedding. Eva and the Bigs assert that the Big Brothers Big Sisters team carefully paired each kid with the “perfect matches” based on their personality. To this day, all five Bigs attend Nunez family events like birthday parties, graduations, and more, bringing their families and friends to join in. When Bigs Courtney and Max were first Matched with their Littles Hailey and Jimmy, neither of them had kids of their own. Now they each have two. “[My Big] Max said I helped him learn how to take care of his kids,” Jimmy says with a grin.
And the outcomes for the Nunez siblings are clear. As each sibling grows into adulthood, they’re staying on track with work and school, dreaming big for the future, and looking out for each other. Mom Eva is both relieved and proud. She says, “The self-esteem and positivity that the Bigs have built in my kids… it gives them hope that they can achieve more. It took a lot of weight off my heart. And we would never have met their Bigs in any world without this program.”
Big Max describes his approach with 17-year-old Jimmy as he’s gotten older: “I’ve brought him to every company I’ve worked for, to get a sense of how they operate, what that life is like. I like to think that my relationship with him has helped him to open up and think about things from different perspectives.” 14-year-old Michael’s Big, Matt, also says, “I try to just listen. He’s still young; I don’t want to push him one way or the other. I answer his questions and share my experience and encourage him to keep an open mind.”
The moments that make up this transformative community may seem small – shared meals, sports games, budgeting sessions, and chats about relationships – but added up over the years, they make an incredible difference. Their regular check-ins with Match Support Specialists provide them with resources and additional support for each child as they grow up.
“It’s a full circle of giving back kindness,” Eva says. “They didn’t have to do this, but we befriended each other and created this lifelong family bond.” The kids talk to one another’s Bigs, getting insight on various career paths and new experiences. Arissa is now pursuing nursing after talking to Bob’s wife, a retired nurse. Matt has spoken to all the boys about his work in commercial contracting management. “As I’ve grown up, the way [my Big] Courtney has done life is my inspiration. She’s always given me help and guidance when I’ve needed it,” Little Hailey, who’s now applying for graduate school, says. Through these five Matches, an entire collaborative network has grown around the Nunez kids.
This village that the Bigs, Littles, and Eva have built together has left a profound impact on everyone involved. “It’s really as simple as being a friend to someone,” Big Courtney says. “You won’t regret any of the time or investment. You could know this person for the rest of your life.”
The Nunez family’s story shows how big of an impact we can make on young people’s lives if we work together and support their dreams.
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