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!