January Matches and February Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in January:

Erin Bird and Quinton
Perla Quintanilla and Emily


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of February:

One Year:
Thom Boerigter and Max
Emily Borcherding and Kaitlyn
Edward DePaepe and Keenan
Naila Graper and Kayleigh
Jessica Kautzer and FaLeShia
Reed Mick and Noah

Two Years:
Megan Britt and Jordan
Pam Novotny and Sofia
Steffanie Schilder and Deven
Ellie Wymore and Katelyn

Three Years:
Dan McKenzie and Darin
Shirley Saland and Simone

Four Years:
Mary Hatala and Kieran
Jennifer Pothast and Kelsey

Five Years:
Whitney Joachim and Raelynn

February Match Spotlight: Ed and Keenan

Even though Ed and Keenan are just coming up on their first anniversary together, they have gotten off to a terrific start! Ed came to Big Brothers Big Sisters with a desire to have a positive impact on the life of a child. Ed volunteers for various community organizations and enjoys traveling with his wife. Because of this, Ed felt getting matched in the School Based program would be a perfect fit with his schedule.

                Keenan’s father died a few years ago and he has limited male role models in his life. The staff at Kittrell felt that Keenan would benefit from positive one to one time with an adult, in an attempt to get him more focused in school. Keenan has a lot of energy and benefits from having someone that he can trust, talk to, and have fun with. Ed and Keenan were fast friends, with Ed showing interest in many of the activities that Keenan also enjoys to do.

                Keenan and Ed formed a wonderful relationship over the last few months of the 2012-2013 school year and really missed seeing each other over the summer months. Upon returning to school, they began to talk about changing their match to School Based Plus, which would allow them to spend additional time together outside of school and participate in activities that they had not been able to do prior. Keenan, his mom, Ed, Keenan’s teacher, and the Staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters had a meeting to discuss how we wanted to see the relationship grow. Working as a team, a great plan was developed to help Keenan succeed.

Now, when Keenan does what is asked of him at school, he is able to earn points. Upon earning enough points, he is able to get the reward of a fun activity with Ed. This plan gives Keenan a positive motivator to do what is asked of him at school, all while benefiting from getting to do more activities with his mentor, Ed. They went sledding on their first out of school activity over winter break this year and have already come up with a list of more fun activities to do in the future.

 Ed was willing to go the extra distance to do what was in the best interest of Keenan. So far, Ed has certainly had a positive impact on Keenan, as well as that of Keenan on Ed. We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for this great match!

 

 

 

Bremer County Big of the Year

Big Brothers Big Sisters honors Carol Hoffman as the

School Based Big of the Year!

 

Carol Hoffman has been a Big Sister since October 2012 when she was matched with her Little Brother, Matt, in the School Based Program.  Many of the first visits that Carol and Matt had together consisted of playing games, reading books and eating lunch together.  Their visits have changed somewhat over the past year, as now a lot of their time is spent conversing about Matt’s academics, family life and behaviors – all in a fun, safe environment.

Matt was enrolled into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in hopes to better his attitude toward academics, understand what it means to be a friend and have a consistent, positive adult role model in his life.  Carol has provided Matt with all of these things and more. 

Matt’s classroom behaviors have improved tremendously this school year, and school personnel credit Carol for much of this.  Matt looks forward to their weekly visits and always has great things to say about the time that he spends with his Big Sister. Through Carol’s consistent visits and genuine care for Matt, their relationship has developed far beyond the expectations of the program.

 

Congratulations Carol!

 

Bremer County Big of the Year

Big Brothers Big Sisters honors Monica Severson as the

Community Based Big of the Year!

 

Monica Severson began her time with Big Brothers Big Sisters in September of 2011 when she was matched with her Little Sister, Amity.  Since the first time that they met, Monica has been a very committed and consistent adult in Amity’s life.

Amity’s mother enrolled her into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program because she did not feel that Amity had a lot of interaction with other adults in her life.  Her hope was that Amity would be able to experience new things in the community and develop a relationship with someone other than her parents.  Monica has not just made these things happen for Amity, she has gone above and beyond to develop the relationship that they currently have.

This relationship has been developed through consistent visits and participation in a variety of activities.  Monica and Amity enjoy going to the W, playing games and working on puzzles together, as well as going to the park or to the movies.  Both Amity and her mother are very happy with what Monica has brought to their life and feel that this is just the beginning of what this relationship is going to bring.

 

Black Hawk County School Based Big of the Year

Big Brothers Big Sisters honors Amie Steffeneicher as the 

School Based Big of the Year!

 

 

 

Amie Steffeneicher has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2007.  She was matched with her current Little Sister, Haley, in September 2010 in the School Based program.  She began visiting with Haley, then a 4^th grader, at school weekly sharing in activities such as, playing games, working on art projects and writing songs and books together.  Amie and Haley quickly developed a relationship with lots of laughter and fun times together.

 

Amie and Haley decided to take the next step in the program and started visiting outside of school in the School Based Plus program in April of 2013.  Through this, they have been able to visit the Humane Society, get involved with community projects and attend community events all while continuing to develop their relationship with each other. 

 

Amie has been a very dedicated and consistent Big Sister to Haley for over three years, visiting weekly in school as well as getting together outside of school when possible.  She has helped Haley transition to Jr.  High, where she is doing very well academically and socially, as well as getting involved in school activities.   Haley knew at the end of her 6^th grade year that moving to a different school wouldn’t be quite so bad, as her Big Sister would be coming with her.  Over the past 3 years, Amie and Haley have created a lifelong bond that Haley is thankful for every day.

 

 

 

And The Award Goes To...

Big Brothers Big Sisters honors Lara Guay as the Community Based Big of the Year!

 

Lara Guay became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has been matched with her Little Sister, Tiffany since March of 2012. Lara and Tiffany are matched in the Community Based program and utilize their time together to do a wide variety of activities including many that Tiffany might not otherwise have been able to do. Together they have gone to events at UNI, the Fall Harvest Festival at the Arboretum, Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored events, and have frequently been known to get together to cook and bake. Most importantly, during their time together, Lara always makes sure she takes the time to talk about how things are going in Tiffany’s life and strives to get more information on ways she can help.

Lara describes Tiffany as being “like family” and has become a support system to Tiffany in many ways. Lara offers encouragement, support, and seeks opportunity to provide example to Tiffany of life skills that she will use far in to her future. Lara works to find a balance of making their time together meaningful, while keeping it fun. Tiffany has had many life changes throughout the duration of their match and Lara has always remained a constant person Tiffany can rely on. Lara has made extra effort to create a relationship, not only with Tiffany but with Tiffany’s family, in an effort to remain aware of ways she can discuss what is going on and talk about positive ways to handle situations that are not always easy. Tiffany cares very much about Lara, as Lara does about Tiffany. They have formed a wonderful bond that has made a lifelong impact on Tiffany.

 

Congratulations Lara!

 

 

 

December Matches and January Anniversaries

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in December:

Barb Carney and Jenna
Alex Rickels and Lenae


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary during the month of January:

One Year
Lauren Deery and Za'Mauri
Alisa Higgins and AleJandra
Chris Mcintyre and John
Jessica Miller and Kayla
Chrissy Radar and Sophie
Holli Rutherford and Taylor
Andrew Simpson and Keyshawn

Two Years
Alissa Knudsen and Shakiya

Three Years
Eryn Utterback and LeVada

Four Years
Barbara Lutz and Hannah
Kristin Vowell and Faith

Five Years
Katie Bjerke and Jasmine

Seven Years
Judi Faas and Madison