July Match Spotlight: McKenna & Bob

Little Brother, McKenna, became a member of 

Big Brothers Big Sisters at age eight when his grandmother was interested in pairing McKenna with an adult in the community who could spend time with him as she was raising both McKenna and his sister.  

In 2008, McKenna was originally paired in the Amachi program through Big Brothers Big Sisters which focused on children of incarcerated parents. McKenna was able to spend time with his first Big Brother for a year before their time ended due to an unexpected move that occurred for his Big Brother.  Although, this was a difficult adjustment, both McKenna and his grandmother wanted to continue the search and remain in the program.

After a long year of waiting, McKenna was paired with Bob in April, 2010 and their friendship is still going strong to this very day. McKenna and Bob discovered early on their love of sports and can still be found racing go carts with each other and cheering on the UNI Panthers.

Bob has stood by McKenna's side through many life challenges and transitions.  Now age 14, McKenna continues to excel; finishing this past school year with a 4.0 GPA and is involved in many sports clubs in the community.  McKenna's grandmother is so very pleased with the successful friendship Bob has created with McKenna over the past four years.  When asked to describe their friendship, McKenna's grandmother will often say, "it's just perfect!"

Both Bob and McKenna have been able to learn from each other along the way and McKenna has hopes one day to be, 

"just like Bob!"

Park Night Fun!

Bigs and Littles enjoyed a perfect night in the park last night while enjoying walking tacos and yard games.  The evening ended with a game of kickball; Littles against their Bigs!

Thank you to all who were able to attend!

June Matches and July Anniversaries

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

Haleigh Weatherly and Keely


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

One Year:
Trent Duniven and Josh
Mark Graf and Antwan
Erica Jacobsen and Kalena
Christi Nebbia and Kiana

Two Years:
Ted Mikels and Cameron

Three Years:
Dan Hatala and Rylee
Meghan Winger

Five Years:
Jim Brown and DeAngelo

Six Years:
Michelle Temeyer and Dahzhanel

Match Spotlight: Adrianna & Maggie

When asked how she would describe her Big Sister, Adrianna says that Maggie is a lifelong friend. Having been together since 2006, they began their match in the School Based Program and switched to Community Based in 2011. Maggie has been watching Adrianna grow up to be a very special young woman. On the heels of her senior year, Maggie has been a major support to Adrianna as she prepares for college and the rest of her life. Together, they have started to talk about college choices, scholarship applications, and ACT preparations.

Adrianna’s mom, Michelle, lets Staff know that she is just amazed by how long they have stayed together. Michelle is grateful to Maggie for being such a positive friend for Adrianna, in addition to showing her how to find success in her life. Adrianna describes Maggie as a tremendous companion and a great role model.

In talking with Staff about her match, Adrianna talks about how Maggie goes above and beyond to help her give to others. Adrianna said that they love to bake goodies for others and shares that Maggie recently made cupcakes for her entire soccer team. Adrianna knows that Maggie is someone that will be in her life for a long time and is grateful to know that she has such a wonderful support in her life.

Adrianna and Maggie continue to come to activities sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters, which has allowed the staff to watch her grow up as well. Adrianna is due to complete high school next year, at which point her match will graduate as well. Adrianna is pleased to know that even as she becomes an adult, she has Maggie to turn to for advice, for someone to laugh with, or to share her latest achievement with!  

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa to Receive Prestigious National Award

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa is pleased to announce that they have been identified by the National Leadership Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as a 2013 Quality Award Winner.

The Agency was selected based on certain criterion, including high retention rates of local "matches" and exceptional service through program administration.  This is the first time that the local agency has been selected to receive this great honor.

"We strive to not only match at risk youth with caring adult volunteers, we work to ensure that 'Bigs' and 'Littles' will stay matched in a healthy friendship for years to come.  Program staff also make regular contact with all participants of our program to offer resources and guidance," commented Mike Lind, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa.

"Ultimately, we are providing longer and stronger matches in the Cedar Valley and I am proud that we have been recognized for it."

Lind will accept the Award during the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Leadership Summit in Chicago, Illinois in June.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa and how to support us as a volunteer or financial contributor, visit www.iowabigs.org or call 319-235-9397.

As the nation's largest mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful and monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles").  Research proves that the Big Brotherse Big Sisters mentoring program has a long-lasting impact on the children they serve.  Children in the program are 52% less likely to skip school, 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, and 27% more likely to receive a four-year degree.  Annually, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa serves nearly 300 children in Northeast Iowa.  The agency strives to develop a positive relationship between the Big and Little to have a direct and lasting effect on the young person's life.

"You're Off To Great Places, Today Is Your Day!"

We would like to congratulate the following Little Brothers and Little Sisters who graduated high school this year!  We are so proud of all of you and wish you the best of luck in your future ahead!

We would also like to take special time out to thank the Big Brothers and Big Sisters who stood by their Littles along the way.  You have all been a great inspiration to your Littles and we have enjoyed being a part of your journey.

Little Brother:  Aaron
Big Brother:     Dave Vandeventer
Match Date:    November 2008
Aaron plans to attend Hawkeye Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in Music Eduacation.




Little Brother:  Mitchell
Big Brother:    John Mardis
Match Date:   October 2006
Mitchell plans to pursue his career options in the Cedar Valley.





Little Sister:  Makaila
Big Sister:     Maribeth Boelts
Match Date:  March 2006
Makaila plans to attend Kirkwood Community College in the fall to pursue a degree in Culinary Arts.

Little Sister:  Nakia
Big Sister:    Carol Houk
Match Date: December 2008
Nakia plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall.

May Matches and June Anniversaries

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

Colby Burt and Keenan
Brady Ellenbecker and Billy
Kailey Kaestner and Hailey
Matt Luedman and Kahlil
Angela Orr and Stephanie


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

One Year:
Tenille Graf and DeNay
Andrea Schupbach and Jazmyn

Two Years:
McKenzie Bruch and Haylee
Adam Eich and Martez
Dana McDougall and De'Vontay
Lindsey Petersen and Zoe

Three Years:
Erin Meeker and Aliyah
Jonathan Wangler and Kelondis

Four Years:
Dave Kane and Elliott

Five Years:
Christy & Dietrich Tice and Joesph