Social Connection at a Social Distance
Big Brothers Big Sisters stands ready to assist our Littles in facing the uncertainty created by COVID-19, keeping them safe and supported. We are providing critical mentorship and emergency relief to help meet the basic needs of our Littles and their families, while continuing to make new matches (virtually) across Chicagoland. The best way you can help us continue to serve matches right now, is to sign up to join our monthly giving community, Match Makers. Learn more about joining Match Makers and helping matches across Chicagoland.
We want to introduce you to one of these matches: Big Brother Matt and his Little Marrion. They are just one example, among thousands, of how matches are helping each other maintain social connection and attend to the social and emotional needs that arise during this difficult time.
Meet Little Brother Marrion and Big Brother Matt
On their first outing over two years ago, Matt and Marrion picked up a journal to track all of their future experiences together, dubbing it the “The Book of Matt and Marrion.” Together, they have found a way to balance match outcomes with fun and friendship perfectly. They have taken advantage of the Match Enrichment Fund with tutoring sessions to support Marrion’s transition to high school. And if Marrion is having a tough week at school, they will change their plans to go to the library and make sure he is on top of his schoolwork.
At their last anniversary meeting, Marrion expressed an interest in swimming with sharks. While this may not make it into “The Book of Matt and Marrion,” Matt set up a recent outing for a behind the scenes shark feeding experience at the Shedd Aquarium.
Like so many of our Littles, Marrion's world turned upside down when the coronavirus pandemic hit. And like so many families, Marrion’s is facing job insecurity. Thanks to a donated laptop from BBBS, Marrion is able to continue e-learning and get extra support from his Big Brother. Matt has been finding unique ways to stay connected with Marrion while keeping their distance. During their first phone call since the stay-at-home order, Marrion said he was already bored with mindless TV watching. Matt tapped into his Littles' love of comics, and encouraged him to put his feelings, creativity and writing skills into drawing his own comic book.
Arriving in the mail a few days later was a Black Panther comic and a LEGO set. Marrion sent Matt a picture of the LEGO set he assembled right away, and is looking forward to sharing his original work soon!