Photo Credit: Big Brother of the Year John Barringer enjoys spending time with his Little Brother Lamar

Longstanding studies show long-term, one-to-one, staff-supported volunteer mentoring works. As we mark National Mentoring Month this January, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is honoring all who make up their successful community –parents, volunteers, staff, and donors who work together to make a mentoring match strong, enduring, and successful. Behind every successful mentoring match is a team of selfless, dedicated believers. Of course, there is the volunteer who makes time in their schedule to commit to helping a child reach their full potential. There is the parent or guardian, most often a single mom or grandmother who courageously seeks support to give her child every opportunity to succeed. Then there is the staff person, a professional who uses facts from interviews, references, experience, and intuition to match the right child and family with the right volunteer. And behind every relationship are the donors, whose financial resources make it possible for our mentors, mentees, and parents to get the ongoing support, guidance, and resources that help them establish and maintain the kind of dialogue, communication, and understanding that are behind Big Brothers Big Sisters’ successful long-term one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brother of the Year John Barringer says, “when I first volunteered to be a Big Brother, I did not know what to expect and I did not have any experience in this area.   It was over 5 years ago I met Lamar and one thing that stands out to me is the fact I volunteered to help a child in need, I never expected the positive impact it has had on my life. I feel so grateful every time Lamar’s Mom says that I am a blessing to them, well it works both ways.  I truly feel blessed and grateful to have them in my life, they have become family to me and I have enjoyed watching Lamar mature over the past 5 years. I have every intention for this to be a lifelong connection."

Photo Credit: Big Brother of the Year John Barringer enjoys spending time with his Little Brother Lamar

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