The stillness of the room breaks when Vita Gleason walks through the threshold. She is greeted warmly by Ginny King, a Big Brothers Big Sisters Team Leader.


Ginny shakes Vita’s hand and offers her to make herself comfortable in any chair in the room. Vita is looking to officially become a “Big Sister” tonight. There is no ceremony or special place where these potential life altering relationships
take place, but instead in a peculiar building with a feeling unlike anything else.

Suite 1236 is an average building off of Jungerman. Its interior may seem average at first glance as well. The main room is nothing extravagant. with its quaint size and soft blue paint. The furniture consists of nothing more than a secular green patterned couch, a round black table, and a side table strewn with various brochures of smiling children on the front. Yet if a closer look is taken, one may notice the walls are adorn with happy faces as well. A collage of smiles hangs symmetrically on the far wall. Above them hangs a plaque spelling FRIENDS. On another wall, two large banners proudly hang. The blue banner has Big Brothers printed out. The purple reads Big Sister.

“I had been thinking about it for a couple of years,” Vita said. “Finally, I just said ‘where’s the phone book’ and I made the call.”

They go over some paper work and Vita signs various agreements and regulations that are required by the foundation. Small talk is made to pass the time.

According to King, there are more Big Sisters than Big Brothers who have volunteered so far this year. This shortage in “Big Brothers” is a growing
problem as there are constantly “Little Brothers” who are waiting to be matched with a mentor.

After 15 minutes of waiting, the front door clicks open. In walks eight year-old Genesis and her mother, all smiles. Introductions are made and each person takes a seat at the table. Genesis takes the seat nearest Vita, her new “Big Sister.” Vita turns her gold jeweled bracelet and looks over at Genesis.

“So, what do you like to do?” Vita asks thoughtfully. Genesis shrugs and picks at the flowers stitched elaborately
onto her blue jeans.

“Well, I like to shop…” Vita offers.

Genesis looks up smiling. “So does my mom.”

Year after year the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization makes matches, like Vita and Genesis, around the community. These one on one relationships
are meant to help children reach their full potential through the guidance of mentors.

Conversation between the two speeds than slows. Yet through the intervals, there is never a dull moment. Genesis, who is no longer timid, shows her true colors as she interjects her opinion here and there about the places she’d like to go or what she likes and dislikes. There relationship is already starting to grow. Ginny then changes the direction of the dialogue. Genesis is explained her responsibilities
in the program which she must agree to.

I understand in order to have a friend I need to be one.

“Yes” she says once again smiling.

I will be clean and ready when Vita arrives.

“Yes.”

I understand the best way to make Vita proud of me is to do well at home, school, and the community.

“Yes.”

Genesis and Vita are now officially “Sisters.” They will both go on outings
together and enjoy each others company.

Statistics show that the program is a success to the youth that join it. “Little Brothers” and “Little Sisters” are 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs and 52 percent less likely to skip school. Even though the statistics showing that kids are less likely to choose the wrong path, the program is about more than that. It is also meant for the “Little brothers” and “Big brothers” to share a long-lasting relationship

“I hope that they’ll get together on a regular basis and eventually build a good relationship,” Ginny said. “From there Genesis has someone she can trust and talk to. Vita will be a positive roll model in her life and influence in her life.”

Once all remaining questions are answered, the adults shake hands and thank one another. Genesis once again flashes an adoring smile at everyone while she’s guided by her mother out the door. As Genesis walks out the door, she takes on last look up at her new “Big Sister” who grins back. Vita and Ginny follow them on their way out. Quiet settles in suite 1236. Tomorrow will unite two new strangers with the hope that they can build a strong relationship and stay out of trouble.