Kelly and Taniya
Favorite activities: Going to church and to the museum

What if every child had a least one role model? The truth is that children in one-on-one mentoring relationships report having higher aspirations, greater confidence and healthier relationships. Programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters are helping to facilitate those important mentoring relationships.

"Children with adversity are much more likely to be successful in life when adults serve as role models for them," said John Gilstrap, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Danville Area. "Our goal is to match caring adults with children who can learn from and grow with them."

Bigs don't need special qualifications to be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Bigs spend time with their Little once a week attending community events, doing homework or simply spending time together.

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers two different types of mentoring programs including site-based mentoring and community-based mentoring. In site-based mentoring, Bigs go to a school or community center for one hour each week to spend time with their Littles. In Community-based mentoring, Bigs and Littles meet weekly at a time convenient for both, often during the weekend. Big and Little Kelly Cunningham and Taniya Gibson are a great example of how those small lessons can make a big impact.

"Taniya and I work on creative projects, and I've taught her how to manage money," said Cunningham, mentor with Big Brothers Big Sister Danville Area. "These are lessons and experiences that she can take with her into adulthood."

Mark and Ishmale
Mark: Ishmale and I have been together for two years. I've enjoyed being Ishmale's Big Brother because he is an exceptional young man and inspires me to continue to be a positive role model for other young people in our community. Being a Big allows me an opportunity to be a mentor and an open-minded friend who encourages adolescents to demonstrate good character traits in school and in the community. Ishmale is a good student and continues to excel academically and socially. It has been a pleasure getting to know and spend quality time with him. When Ish and I cannot see each other because of conflicting schedules, we still find time to connect via phone calls or text. We simply enjoy spending time together.

Ishmale: It is a pleasure having Dr. Dickerson as my Big Brother because he is caring, fun, cool, and still young at heart. We have a lot of fun together and he is a great influence in my life.

Favorite Activities: Bowling, movies, eating out at restaurants (we love pizza), riding bikes in the park, attending special banquets, attending my family reunion, attending church events, playing video games, going to the grocery store, going to doctor appointments, cutting grass, washing cars, school activities, and many other activities.

Vicki and Bianca
Vicki has been a dedicated volunteer for four years. She has involved her Little, Bianca, in a wide variety of activities including sports, dance, exercise and cooking together. As she always strives to enhance her mentoring skills, Vicki consistently attends Big Brother Big Sisters volunteer training sessions and annual agency events.

Bianca regularly attends school and has become involved in both school and outside activities. She participates in sports and choir. Due to Vicki's encouragement, Bianca is an active church member and enjoys the fellowship it offers as well as the opportunity to be part of various church groups. Thanks to her Big's help, she is learning to manage money and her personal finances, which will benefit her greatly as an adult. Bianca said, "I have the best big sister, she has a big heart and is very nice. I got to meet her family and I feel like a part of the family. She took me on two vacations, one to Wilmington, NC and Richmond, VA. We go to the gym and mall. She is a good listener and I know she cares because when I do wrong she corrects me. I thank BBBS and Ms. Daniel for matching me with my big sister. My big sister rocks."

Vicki and Bianca are a strong, long lasting match. Vicki has dedicated herself to Bianca's positive growth and nurturing a solid, long-term relationship. Her "never give up" spirit continues to enhance a successful match. Vicki said, "I have had a good four years with my little sister. Our times together has meant as much to me as I hope it has to her. She has helped fill a void in my life especially since I have never had a sister. My goal has been to not only make a positive impact on Bianca's life but to provide her with new experiences and opportunities to grow. Although the initial commitment was for one
year, Bianca and I will remain sisters for years to come. In fact, we will grow old together.

Cindy Wells: A Lifelong Tradition
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program isn't just about bonding with a child, it's about being rewarded at the end of the day. At the end of the day, knowing that you have helped a child with whatever situation is a great feeling. Whether you are helping them learn, playing at the park/event or even just chitchatting can make anyone feel special. And if you can make a child feel special then you can make a bond. Cindy Wells (with the help of her young daughter, Christina) was a Big with Asia Griffin for 11 years who just started college in NC. But when "little Asia" comes home, her eyes still light up when she sees Cindy & Christina, and says those wonderful words "I love you." Cindy has recently been matched with her new Little, Samira. Christina Jackson has also been recently matched with Little, Shamyra. Mother & daughter are Bigs to Little sisters and we all still go out together with now big Little Asia who wants to be a Big Sister too when she turns eighteen. Isn't that great! Cindy says that the BBBS program is such positive role modeling for today's youths.

Harry and Javonte
Favorite activities: Playing golf

As the new school year gets underway, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Danville area is looking for adults to become a part of its school-based mentoring program. Its school mentoring program matches an adult or college student with a child in kindergarten through eighth grade. The child and mentor meet one hour a week at school eating lunch together, working on homework, playing games or just talking.

"Just because the school year begins, doesn't mean that the need for mentors stops," said John Gilstrap, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Danville area. "When it comes to giving back to our community's youth, the opportunities are endless with Big Brothers Big Sisters."

In fact, the organization's school-based program mentoring program has shown to be an effective aspect of the mentoring relationship. In its nationwide school-based mentoring study, Littles improved in a range of areas, including academic attitude, performance and behavior.

"Being a Big is one of the joys of my life," said Harry Waller, mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Danville area. "I've had the opportunity to introduce Javonte to new experiences, like playing golf. I can already tell that being a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters is making an impact in his life."

Allison and Messiah
Favorite activities: Skating and playing mini-golf

The biggest misconceptions about being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters are that mentors have to be perfect role models and give a lot of their time. But, this couldn't be further from the truth.

"It's the simple things in life that form our favorite memories," said John Gilstrap, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville Area. "Being a Big means being yourself and sharing the best part of yourself with your Little. No matter where you are in life, being a Big will make it better."

The organization's community-based mentoring program matches an adult volunteer with a child between the ages of 6 and 14. The child and mentor meet approximately 2 to 4 hours per week in the community and participate in numerous activities.

"My Little, Messiah, said playing with my dogs and going skating together were her favorite activities we had done so far," said Allison Wann, mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Danville Area. "It just shows that a little time and attention goes a long way."

"Messiah became my little sister in June 2011. I am enjoying getting to know her. She is a very bright young lady. We have gone to my house to play with my animals,out to eat, skating, putt-putt,walked on riverwalk and fed the ducks. We have made a list of things we plan to do together."

Mario and Brione
When asked about his relationship with Brione, Mario mentioned, "God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to make a difference in a young man's life, which will ultimately steer him down the right path to becoming the most successful and best person he can possibly be."

Since Brione has become Mario's Little Brother, he is positively focused on his future and the opportunities available to him. He has improved in both his school work and in athletics. His levels of confidence and self-esteem have increased to a point where he is developing leadership potential. Brione is a nice, well mannered and respectful young man. Brione says, "I now know how to use sports to motivate me to be a better student, so that I can go to college and get an education while playing sports."

This Match has changed the lives of Brione's entire family. Mario has become part of their family life. Mario was so pleased when on his birthday, in January; he received a card from each family member. As the Assistant Boys' Varsity Basketball Coach at Tunstall High School, Mario was able to take Brione to several athletic events through the course of the year. Mario and Brione also attend Match activities, and participated in the Big Brother Big Sisters fashion show: The Fashion is Mentoring.

"We have a great relationship", said Goldia, "and I really like K'Miya's whole family." Goldia's interactions with Ka'Miya enrich her academically and socially. She communicates regularly with her teachers to help Ka'Miya stay on task and focus on academics. Goldia does not let any obstacle stand in her way to spend time with her Little. She is patient and inspires trust and a sense of responsibility, which she strives to impart to Ka'Miya. "I really enjoy being a Big Sister because it allows me to continue what I truly love, being a teacher." Goldia retired last year as a teacher from Forest Hills Elementary School.

Since becoming Goldia's Little Sister, Ka'Miya has shown a marked improvement in attitude and behavior. She is always ready and eager to spend time with her Big Sister, and thoroughly enjoys all the new opportunities afforded her through their relationship. . "I really like having a Big Sister", said Ka'Miya. "She takes me lots of place like the library, the movies and McDonalds." K'Miya also attends Big Brothers Big Sister functions as an active and engaged participant.

In another Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer role, Goldia participates in the Alpha Kappa Alpha weekly Reading Program, and brings K'Miya to the program as well. She assists Littles with homework and works on reading skills with them. Goldia is always creative and resourceful, bringing something new to every encounter with her Little. Ka'Miya's parent says, "I would vote for Goldia to be Big of the Year."

Greg and Ray Quionn

Gregg has been in the mentoring program for over three years and is very committed to the mission and vision of Big Brothers Big Sisters. "It is my unshakable opinion that the community is enriched beyond measure by the by the valuable service Big Brothers and Big Sisters offer for us 'Bigs' and 'Littles'", said Gregg.

Gregg has always been involved in community service and has shared this with his Little, Ray Quion. They participated in the Christmas Project together. They spend time on life skills training, and Ray Quion now has a savings account to help him understand how to manage money and the importance of planning for the future.

Ray Quion is always ready, on time and eager to be with his Big, Gregg. He enjoys the new experiences having a Big Brother provide him and these have opened his eyes to what the world has to offer. Through his relationship with Gregg, his grades have improved and he is much more positively involved with his family. "We really enjoy each other's company and are always ready to get together to visit or go off to some local event. They get to experience something new and I get to revisit memories I have of my daughter at that age," said Gregg.

Gregg has had four Little Brothers in the last three years and is currently is mentoring two. He has a particular interest in the boys' education and visits their schools regularly. He is creative and strives to plan activities that provide new experiences for his Little's. Gregg said, "It is a great opportunity to see the world through my 'Littles' eyes. As brothers, they are very supportive of each other and demonstrate a great sense of humor. It opens a whole new dimension to my life."

School-Based Match
On a visit to Woodberry Elementary School, I ran into "M", one of the school-based mentor athletes from Averett University. I asked him what he was doing at that school. He said he was there to visit his mentee. I reminded him that I had forms signed with him and his mentee from Forest Hills Elementary School, not Woodberry. He said he had a mentee there, too.

The answer to this puzzle was revealed. The original Big for the Little at Woodberry, graduated from Averett that December, and the Averett Coach did not want the Little to be without a Big, so he assigned "M". "M" said he had time on his hands and a place in his heart for Big Brothers Big Sisters. This was his fourth year as a Big for our school based program. Not only is he a dedicated athlete, he is a dedicated Big.

Community-Based Match
As I started to prepare for "Match Day", I heard nervousness and butterflies from everyone but the new Little, "A". Her mother wanted to meet the Big, "J", to make sure she was worthy to spend time with her child. She wanted to be sure that everything would be just right for her daughter. We assured her that we had completed the necessary documents to insure a successful match. She was still nervous about the meeting.

On the way to "A's" house, "J" talked about how much she cared for her new Little and could hardly wait to be able to do activities with her outside school and home. However, she too was nervous. She wanted "A's" mom to like her and for everything to go smoothly. She kept saying, "I know I am doing the right thing".

When we arrived, everyone had an opportunity to visit under the big oak tree out back. Both women had their time to share and ask questions, and "A", the Little, just smiled as the exchange took place. The breeze blew and the nervousness was swept away, and replaced with hugs and smiles. Another wonderful Match Day for Big Brothers Big Sisters.