Each match between a Big and a Little is special. Each has its first match meeting, its own obstacles to overcome, and ultimately its own outcomes in the lives changed. Each match has its own story, some of which you will read here. Our match stories are called “Big Impacts” because they celebrate not just the impact of the Big on the Little, but also the impact of the match on the families, the impact of the Little on the Big, and the impact of the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency that supported everyone along the way.

Big Sister Shari and Little Sister Ajaea

A Big Outlet for a Little’s Grief

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Ajaea was 5 when her mother died suddenly. With her father incarcerated, she and her sister went to live with their grandmother. Losing her mom left Ajaea feeling lost and scared. She would barely leave her grandmother’s side. She was matched with Big Sister Shari, and she began to share her feelings and cope with her grief. “She told me I could always talk to her about anything,” Ajaea says, “and I started to do just that.”

https://www.bbbs.org/2017/05/big-outlet-littles-grief/

Big Sister Ann and Little Brother Darius

The Fearless Little Brother and his Nurturing Big Sister

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When Big Sister Ann first volunteered to become a Big, she envisioned being matched with a Little Sister. But the waiting list for Big Brothers is often much longer than the waiting list for Big Sisters, so she was matched through BBBS of Middle Tennessee with Little Brother Darius, a confident and positive 11-year-old who plans to go to Vanderbilt University.

https://www.bbbs.org/2017/04/fearless-little-brother-nurturing-big-sister/

Big Sister Julia and Little Sister Breyonne'

A Big brings out the Big heart in her Little

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Little Sister Breyonne’ is a 12-year-old activist and philanthropist. In fifth grade, she saw that her route home from school was dangerous, so she tried to secure a crossing guard. “All my friends walk home from school, and I did not think it was safe,” she says. “Some have to walk over a mile home and cross busy streets.” She didn’t just talk to the principal. With her Big Sister, she took her fight to the City Council.

https://www.bbbs.org/2017/04/big-brings-big-heart-little/

Big Brother Ryan and Little Brother Nick

A Big brings an attitude change for a Little who went off course early

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Smoking, drinking, and skipping school are thought of as teenage problems. But when your childhood has been a rollercoaster of loss and abuse, everything is accelerated. At age 10, Little Brother Nick already found himself ditching class and abusing alcohol. He finally turned things around with the help of his Big Brother.

https://www.bbbs.org/2017/03/big-brings-attitude-change-little-went-off-course-early/

Big Sister Laura and Little Sister America

From blue hair to quinceañera, how this Big was always there

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When Little Sister America wanted to dye her hair a bright aquamarine, her Big Sister Laura brought her to a trusted friend’s hair salon. When America wanted a piercing, her Big Sister Laura made sure the piercer was licensed and reputable. “She has never judged me when I wanted something that some people would think was crazy,” America says. “She always listens to what I want, encourages me to communicate with my mother, and helps me understand all of the pros and cons.”

https://www.bbbs.org/2017/03/blue-hair-quinceanera-big-always-there/