Having a mentor to help guide you through hardships of life is extremely important in life, but many do not have one. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Clark County has singlehandedly helped many students get someone to look up to when they otherwise might not have one.
The Big Brother Big Sisters program is a mentoring initiative designed to build positive relationships between an older student and a younger student who would benefit from extra support, encouragement, and leadership.
“It was originally created to give students a structured, meaningful way to connect with one another during the school day and to foster a sense of belonging and community within the school,” said program director Brittney Combs. “The idea was simple but powerful—pair students together so they can learn from one another, grow together, and feel supported both socially and academically.”
The older students from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program come from GRC, where students who want to be involved have to go through an entire process in order to become a “Big” to a younger student, or “Little”.
“I was referred to the program by two of my teachers last year and I was called down by the principals for a meeting that taught me about the program,” said senior and program participant Laeah Dean. “After that, I had a meeting at Justice with Ms. Combs to join.”
After being in the program herself, Combs knows how important the program is for students.
“Since I participated in the program myself years ago, I can see the same spark in today’s students that I felt back then,” said Combs. “They start out a little unsure, but over time they get excited for every meeting.”
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program allows for younger students to get mentors, which is an opportunity many older students wish they had when they were in their position.
“My favorite part is that I went to Justice and I was once in my Little’s position,” said senior and program participant Tanner Rivers. “I wish I had a big brother to look up to in that capacity looking back on it.”
The program matches younger students with older students similar to them which allows them ways to bond and grow together through those shared interests.
“I told the advisors a little bit about me as a whole and they matched me with a little girl who is just like me and we have the exact same things in common. ” said Dean. “Seeing her face light up every time I walk to get her on the days we meet is my favorite part of it.”
Not only do Littles in the program flourish, but the Bigs also grow throughout their time in the program.
“Last year before state testing, all of the Bigs got a video from their Little encouraging them and wishing them luck,” said Rivers. “Things like that remind the Bigs that the Littles are also always rooting for us.”
No matter what the program does to come together and bond, the little moments stick with everyone involved.
“Watching a Little run down the hallway excited while they say, ‘Today’s my day with my Big,’ reminds me exactly why this work matters,” said Combs. “It’s those small moments—those connections—that make this program so special.”
