Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM August 2019 | Page 40

NON-PROFIT OF THE MONTH SHANNON BURKE Executive Director Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast [email protected] http://www.mentorsgc.org BIGGER Together “Being Jacob’s Big has opened my eyes as to what life is all about. It’s not about you, it’s about others.” ~ Big Brother Paul Garcia Jacob was just 8 years old when he met his Big Brother Paul. Jacob’s father was incarcerated, and he was struggling to express his feelings. As a Community- Based match with Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast, Paul picked his Little Brother up a few times each month to play basketball, stroll through classic car shows, or just talk. As their friendship grew and trusts formed, Jacob began confiding more in his Big Brother whom he called “Coach.” True to his nickname, Paul remained a strong role model throughout their match by consistently working with him on his self-esteem and school preparedness. Paul encouraged Jacob to work hard and get involved, in turn boosting his confidence and academic successes. By providing guidance and direction, Jacob began expressing his feelings to Coach. Even when peer pressures and negative influences found their way into Jacob’s teen years, his Big Brother’s involvement kept him on the right path. Simply by being a consistent friend, Paul provided the positive impacts that Jacob needed to overcome obstacles at school and in life. Thanks to his Big Brother’s guidance, Jacob is now enrolled in college and will be pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering this fall. Ten successful years after they first met, Paul has seen Jacob become the intelligent, kind, and hard-working young man he is today. Paul was even selected as the 2019 Big of the Year, which recognizes local volunteers who go above and beyond to ignite potential in our youth. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We connect individuals to create a bigger future. By working with volunteers, parents, children, and the community, we quietly deliver amazing results. And because we are stronger together, our attention is focused on connecting the community through mentoring. Our purpose is powerful. If you have one hour a week to spare, you have what it takes. Your powerful friendship with a Little will clear a path to their biggest possible future. And if becoming a Big isn’t for you, there are so many other ways to help defend potential 38 MOMENTUM within our youth. A donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast will help fund the careful one-to-one matching and ongoing professional mentoring support unique to our organization. Your gift will lead to better outcomes for our nation’s children tomorrow. “I’ll never forget the experiences Jacob and I have had in these past 10 years and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.” Like Big Brother Paul, I hope you’ll consider becoming a defender of potential. Our cause is big. Our successes are big. And we are bigger together. For more information, visit www.mentorsgc.org or call 409-763-4638.