Her Big was “The Best”

October 9, 1999 was a magical day that Big Sister Lisa and Little Sister Angela will never forget—their first match meeting.  Angela was a nine year old third grader when they first met, a “tomboy” who enjoyed playing basketball and any other outdoor games.


Angela and her mother were looking for a positive female influence who would stress the importance of education and be someone Angela could have fun with.  Lisa came to BBBS with a host of volunteering experiences and wanted to provide a positive influence on a child and to develop a long lasting relationship.  Nine years later, both celebrate the fact that they each got so much more than they expected.

Nine years has seen their relationship grow into a model BBBS mentoring match.  Both have been influential in the other’s life by providing friendship and support.  Lisa demonstrated the value of higher education, goals setting, and not succumbing to negative peer pressure. Angela’s improved self confidence, academic excellence, and careful decision making are results of the time and energy that both have put into this relationship.

Lisa was proud to stand beside Angela as she received one of the first American InterContinental University (AIU) full academic scholarships donated as part of AIU’s partnership with BBBS. Angela is well on her way of achieving her goals and dreams with Lisa’s encouragement on every step of the journey.

At the assessment on their one year anniversary, the Match Support Specialist noted that “Volunteer stated that she loves Angela and always enjoys the time they spend together.  Child was quiet, but wrote on her evaluation that her Big was ‘the best’.”  Throughout the life of Lisa and Angela’s relationship, those feelings have only grown stronger.