Bigs and Littles: Hero status not required

TRURO, N.S. — With a new year comes a time of reflection on the highs and lows of the past year and to set goals for the year ahead. For many, it’s a time to set intentions with how they want to spend their time. 
January is celebrated as Mentoring Month throughout North America. It’s a month to celebrate our current mentors, raise awareness on what mentoring is, and focus on ensuring all young people in our region have a mentor, because we know when a child has one in their life it’s going to help the youth reach their full potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester is hoping the new year will bring new community members to our door, interested in learning more about the amazing opportunity of becoming a mentor to a young person. 
Did you know that we have more than 60 young people waiting to be matched with a mentor? About 70 per cent of that waitlist being boys waiting for a Big Brother. 
Brandon, is a fairly new Big Brothers; he has been in his mentorship role now for five months. Brandon is matched with Little Brother Maddox, who Brandon describes as smart, respectful, and understanding, with a great sense of humour. 
“I signed up as a Big Brother because not everyone has the opportunity to have that one person that they can really be themselves with, and I was hoping I could be that for a child,” said Brandon. “Big Brothers Big Sisters made such a great match with Maddox and I. We have a ton in common and we have a ton of fun.” 
For Ferrah, Maddox’s mom, it’s the confidence Brandon has helped instill in Maddox that has shown through in the past five months.
“Brandon has given Maddox true confidence in how to have a positive and healthy relationship with an adult,” said Ferrah. “He’s helped build Maddox’s trust and made him feel comfortable confiding in Brandon when he feels he needs to.” 
Brandon and Maddox both love football. They’ve spent many of their outings checking out some of the local games. They even took a road trip to Mount Alison University, which is one of Maddox’s favourite memories. When they aren’t watching football, they’re throwing the ball around or just hanging out, catching up, and playing video games. 
“There is no better feeling then picking him up and having him talk he whole drive about how his week went and what he did at school and even sometimes the downsides of life,” said Brandon. “I’m happy that I can give Maddox something to look forward to every week. It’s something I look forward to as well.”
Becoming a Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, or a mentor in any capacity, is about becoming someone a young person can rely on and trust. It’s about meeting a child where they’re at and respecting who they are as a person. It’s about becoming the person you needed when you were young, so you can help ignite the power and potential that you know the child has. You don’t have to be a hero or have a special talent. Sometimes the most life-changing experiences for young people come from what seem like the most ordinary and everyday moments. 
“Maddox has changed the way I see and think in so many ways,” said Brandon. “Becoming his Big Brother has been a life changing experience.”
If you’re looking for a way to give back in 2020, why not become a mentor to a young person? It’s a fun, rewarding and impactful way to make a difference in your community. The first step is to simply reach out and learn more about our programs. Call us at 902-895-4562, email us at [email protected] or visit bbbscolchester.ca to fill out an online enquiry form.