In honor of the launch of the Big Dipper and Little Dipper Set of Two, we’re excited to welcome Carrie Stambaugh, a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, as a guest blogger.
In the story below, Carrie discussses her experience mentoring Regina and how it has changed her life for the better, forever.
_____
Mentorship changes lives.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has been matching volunteer adult “Bigs” with children “Littles” for more than 100 years, creating enduring friendships to help children facing adversity achieve success. These professionally supported one-on-one relationships provide Littles with strong adult mentors that help them to avoid risky behaviors build self-confidence and achieve educational success. A simple friendship can help a child to overcome hardships and realize their own potential.
Regina and I were matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State when she was 9-years-old. Shy and quiet, Regina was so nervous the first time we met that she cried in my backseat all the way to a pizzeria where we would share our first meal. When we arrived, I offered her a tissue and big hug. She smiled and we went inside where we shared the first of many meals together.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Over the next nine years, we spent countless hours together. I treated her just like my real sisters, in order to prove to her that I was in our friendship for the long haul. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding; we shared camping trips together, visited the zoo, worked on homework and picked out outfits for one another to try on at the mall. We laughed and cried together.
Most importantly, however, we spent hours talking. Regina grew to trust me and confided in me often. No topic was off the table. Like many teens, Regina struggled with peer pressure and had questions about topics as diverse and challenging as domestic violence and race relations. I would listen and help her to explore or understand her own feelings, or gather more information. I offered advice when asked. Above all, I promised not to judge and that whatever she told me would stay between us.
As we became closer and closer, I watched Regina blossom into an outgoing, talkative teenager who dreamed of going to college and eventually counseling children like her. I did everything I could to support and encourage her to aim for the stars. I took her on college visits, helped her study and when she graduated high school I was in the stands crying, right alongside her mother and grandmother. Watching her receive her diploma was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Regina is now a freshman in college, and we are still close. I believe we will truly be best friends forever. Our friendship has brought me tremendous joy and helped me to deepen my own understanding of the challenges children and families like Regina’s face and inspired me to do more to help meet those needs in my own community.
I am thrilled that ALEX AND ANI created the Big Dipper and Little Dipper Set of Two to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. I believe it will help to create awareness of the power of mentoring, provide valuable resources to support exiting Bigs and Littles across the county while encouraging more adults to become a Big mentor. There are thousands of boys and girls across the country who need the gift of a positive, caring adult in their lives to help them achieve their potential.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Big Dipper and Little Dipper Set of Two supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.