Meet Our 2023 Graduates
We got together for our 2023 Graduation event last week and celebrated with over 60 graduating matches and their families downtown.
Every single one of this year’s graduating matches has a powerful story and represents the absolute best of this organization. From the Bigs that put in the time on late night calls and early morning drives, to the Littles who worked to achieve their goals and grew alongside their mentors, to the staff members who supported these matches every step of the way, and — most importantly — the parents and guardians who are every matches' backbone and place their trust in this mission.
We hope you'll take a minute to read some of the stories from our graduating class below. You can check out photos from the event on our social as well.
Meet Little Brother Joey and Big Brother Chad
“In over 8 years together, there is one thing that continues to stand out to me,” says Big Brother Chad. “We were both dedicated to making this mentoring relationship work no matter how busy life would get. And we remain committed to this day.”
It’s that commitment that never went unnoticed. “It always felt that there was someone in my court that I could rely on,” says Little Brother Joey. “Not having a father in my life, Chad has shown me how a man maneuvers through difficulties, work and stress. I have been able to talk to Chad during every important decision in my life and he has shaped me into who I have become.”
From becoming an entrepreneur to eventually paying it forward and volunteering himself as a Big, Joey has his sights set on making a positive impact on our world. He will take his first step towards that future majoring in marketing and environmental sustainability at Babson College.
Meet Little Sister Genesis and Big Sister Christina
For a very long time, Little Sister Genesis wondered if college was ever even a possibility for her. While she was seeing life in black and white, Genesis says her Big Sister Christina helped "open doors to more colors." Together, they embraced the idea that where you are born does not have to influence where you end up. And it was that idea that sparked her interest in the world of travel. Now new doors will be opening for Genesis at National Louis University, where she will be studying hospitality and tourism this fall.
Meet Little Brother Isaiah and Big Brother Eric
For over 9 years, Isaiah says his Big Brother Eric has “pushed me to be the best version of myself possible.” “Whether it was the start of school or football season, Eric — with help from BBBS — always made sure I had the right gear, supplies and support to start every school year off right.”
Eric remembers meeting a shy and inquisitive 9-year-old and feels grateful to be able to have watched him grow into an ambitious young man looking forward to the opportunity of a college education. “I’m proud of Isaiah for so many different things,” says Eric. “But I’ll never forget the pride and joy I experienced when Isaiah showed me his acceptance letter to his dream school Illinois State University.”
Meet Little Sister Natalie and Big Sister Elizabeth
Since she can remember, Natalie has always dreamed about opening up a cake shop in her Pilsen neighborhood. As a first-generation college student and Latina woman in business, Big Sister Elizabeth has always encouraged Natalie to pursue her dreams. They frequently discuss the importance of Latinx owned businesses that enable the local community to thrive. Natalie will be putting this dream into action studying Business and Management at UIC — and we look forward to trying cake from Pilsen’s newest pastry chef very soon!
Meet Big Brother Peter and Little Brother David
David says there is one piece of advice from his Big that he will always keep in the back of his mind: “Everyone has a different form of talent and when you discover it, you learn to appreciate all forms of talent.” This advice, along with reminders for college applications and scholarships, motivated David to embrace his own unique talents and take them to Yale University this fall.
Thank you for supporting mentoring matches. Everyone in the BBBSChi village had a hand in helping these Bigs and Littles graduate and move on to the next step of their life. Even though they may be leaving the program, these matches will last a lifetime. Is your story the next match story we'll tell? Sign up to volunteer today and help defend the potential of a child in your community.