This Sunday Dinner, Pizza or Chicken Wings?

If you were to see Little Brother Jose and Big Brother Pablo hanging out together some Sunday afternoon, you'd know right away they were buddies. You'd see the easy smiles they share as they play basketball or work on the computer. The friendly laughter they enjoy as they watch a movie together or just hang out, talking about school, friends and sports.

But if you were to look a little more closely, and get to know Jose and Pablo a little more, you'd learn that this 10-year friendship goes a lot deeper. Pablo and Jose have been matched for ten years through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, and throughout that time Pablo's steady friendship and mentoring has really been instrumental in helping Jose become the smiling, confident young man you see before you.

Says Jose of his Big Brother, “He helped me through the rough times.”

And there were plenty of rough times along the way, including the deaths of both his parents. In fact, the more you learn all Jose has been through, the family issue's he's experienced and the rough neighborhood where he's been growing up, the more you might expect to find a kid with a tough veneer … hardened to the outside world.

But that's not Jose. Sure, there have been some rough patches along the way. Some times when Pablo gave him what he calls “tough love,” and other times when there were some pretty big issues they needed to talk through. At those times Pablo was patient and caring, offering good advice but mostly just listening, never judging. “He's a brother,” says Jose. “He helped me change.”

“Being a Big Brother,” says Pablo, “is a powerful thing.” He's seen the changes in Jose. And he's seen some changes in himself, too. He knows he's more patient than he used to be. And he takes a special satisfaction in knowing that the “little kid” he knew 10 years ago has grown and changed so much, while their friendship has only grown deeper.

Sometimes smiles say more than words can.

That's friendship for you. It's not just what you say, but what you do. And sometimes the most important thing you can do … is just to be there.

Could you be there one hour a week for a kid like Jose? It really doesn't take any special skills. Just a little laughter, a little patience, a little time … and a lot of fun.  Volunteer now »