Two's Company

Aiden & Jovani develop a model relationship.
​Our Match of the Month for September is Aiden and Jovani who have been match for just over 4 years!  Jovani is 13 years old and has just begun high school.

When we first put a match together we do extensive interviews and home visits with Littles and Bigs so that we can make a thoughtful match where both the Bigs and Littles interests are taken into account.  During the interview with Jovani's grandmother, she expressed a desire to have a Big in Jovani's life due to his mother's passing.  She was hoping that through the relationship with a Big, Jovani would develop more social and listening skills as well as have a young adult to spend time with. 

During the past 4 years, all of these very things have happened!  Jovani feels that he and Aiden "have been together forever" and he loves that he has someone he can share his feelings with.

Some of the fun things the two have done together include geo-caching, basketball, singing in the car and going to U of M Football games with tickets donated to BBBS.  They were even able to attend a Nascar Race with donated tickets.  Lastly, Aiden and Jovani participated in a bowling league together.  Aiden feels that these experiences have really helped Jovani develop more confidence.   
Although encouraging Jovani to read more has been a challenge for Aiden, he was able to find a book series titled "39 Clues" that Jovani is hooked on!  Now the two are reading and discussing the book series together!

Jovani's grandmother shared, "I am very pleased with my grandson's match.  Aiden has been a good influence on Jovani with school, reading and sports.  We are so grateful for BBBS."
They recently shared a very special moment when Jovani and his grandparents, along with Aiden, attended Jovani's high school orientation where they got to talk about his feelings surrounding the start of school, see where his classes were and open his locker. 
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Aiden told us, "I'm grateful for being part of BBBS because Jovani lights up my life.  I beam with pride at his accomplishments, worry through his anxieties and hope always for his bright future."
This is just one example of the difference a Big can make in the life of a child.  Right now we have over 200 kids on our waitlist and we need MORE BIGS to match with these children.