It's #NationalMentoringMonth with Big Brothers Big Sisters!

This January, celebrate National #MentoringMonth with Big Brothers Big Sisters! Mentoring is a powerful tool for empowering youth and helping them realize their full potential. It provides guidance, support, and a positive role model, helping young people build confidence, develop critical life skills, and achieve their goals. Share your mentoring experience or become a Big today at bbbscentralcarolinas.org. #BeBig #ItTakesLittleToBeBig

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday break and are excited about the new year! January is mentoring month. It is a time to celebrate people who mentor others. That supportive friend who has a positive impact on their mentees trajectory for success. At Big Brothers Big Sisters we call those supportive friends Bigs.

On January 31^st we will have our Celebrate Big event. It will be held at the Heist Brewery NoDa-2909 N Davidson St STE 200, Charlotte, NC 28205 from 6:00-8:00 pm. We will be announcing our Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year! Celebrate Big is our special time to thank all of you for the great support you provide to your Little and to the agency. Please join us on the 31^st.

As always, thank you for all that you do. The team and I are looking forward to seeing you and to hearing about the New Year’s resolutions you and your Little have made for 2025! Wishing your Little all the best for a smooth back to school reentry!

Yours in service to youth.

Donna Dunlap

President and CEO

BBBSCC

MEET BIG SISTER TEISHA!

MATCHED FOR 1 YEAR

Why do you enjoy the Big Brothers Big Sisters program?

I enjoy being able to connect with my Little and be an addition to her support system. Sometimes children just need to talk to an adult that is not in an authoritative role, and BBBS allows me to be that for my Little.

Why does your match work so well?

My match works so well because we both have silly personalities and enjoy laughing together. We easily balance educational activities with fun activities.

How does it feel to be a Big?

I love being a Big! I am always speaking with friends and colleagues about the program and encouraging them to volunteer. I am the youngest child in my family, and I never got to experience being a Big Sister, so I really cherish this opportunity to show up for a young person in a way that my Big Brothers and Sisters have shown up for me.

THANK YOU!

“We must find the time to stop and thank those the people who make a difference in our lives."

- John F Kennedy

We would like to begin the New Year by doing just that. Expressing gratitude to our amazing Bigs. Thank you to all the BBBSCC Bigs.

You are truly Difference Makers and we thank you today and every day for Empowering Potential.

JOIN US! LET'S CELEBRATE BIG!

In January, we celebrate National Mentoring Month, and we can't wait to celebrate YOU! We cordially invite all of our Bigs to join us on January 31st, as we honor and celebrate our mentors, and announce our Bigs of the Year!

BIG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES!

Melissa Treadaway
Kim Towery
Kathryn “Amy” Wright
Brittany Hillman Jalisa Banks
Sherry Lerme
Paige Shue

Robert "Chris" Williams
Arthur "Cade" Barefoot
Paul Hattenhauer
Brian Hertzog
Conor Kelly
John Parker

Thank you to the Charlotte Chapter of the Links Inc. for sponsoring holiday gifts for 132 Littles! We cherish this 5 year partnership, and we're so grateful for your generosity.

Thank you to NV5 for sponsoring additional holiday gifts for our Littles! Your gifts brought so much joy to our families.

Last month, 100 Bigs and Littles attended the Light the Knights festival uptown, courtesy of Dilworth Church. Matches enjoyed ice skating, snow tubing, a lights show, a Santa visit and goodie bags! Some matches sharpened their ice skating skills while others tried it for the first time and loved it. Thanks Dilworth for sponsoring!

A NIGHT WITH A BIG AT THE CHARLOTTE BALLET!

Matches attended the Charlotte Ballet in December at the Belk Theater, and had a blast! They enjoyed a live performance of Nutcracker! Thanks, Charlotte Ballet, for hosting our matches!