Match of the Month - RayQueesha and Joanie

RayQueesha’s mom enrolled her and her two sisters shortly after moving to Ann Arbor from Flint.  The family was going through a lot of changes on top of moving – RayQueesha’s father had passed away and her oldest sister moved out of the house, both of whom she was very close with.  Her mom really wanted her to have someone to connect with, look up to and gain insight from.  And that turned out to be Joanie.  Joanie was motivated to become a Big Sister to help support and empower a young girl in our community, and that’s what she’s done for the 3 ½ years!!
 
This match is one that really exemplifies Igniting Potential for a young person!  Joanie and RayQueesha go everywhere and do everything.  When we think of what Igniting Potential means, it’s the new opportunities and experiences that a volunteer Big can expose their Little to.  So many, far too many kids, do not experience life outside of a several block radius – to school, to church, to the neighborhood store, if there is one.  They have little first-hand experience with what all the world has to offer them.  And that is what Joanie does with RayQueesha!
 
They participated this summer in our Where in the World is Bowley contest – and were our winners!  They took Bowley everywhere!  To the Detroit River walk, Belle Isle, riding bikes around town, to get lunch and ice cream….and most importantly to RayQueesha’s 8th grade graduation!!

Congratulations RayQueesha and Joanie!