October 27th 2024.
Towani Clarke first met 12-year-old Antoniece when she was feeling overwhelmed by her daily routine. Working at Nordstrom, teaching yoga, and taking care of her own home had left her feeling a bit "blinkered," as she put it. She had moved to Colorado from Zambia four years ago, where she had started a successful women's clothing company. But she missed the sense of community and intergenerational connections that were so common in her home country. Her own children had grown up and moved away, leaving her feeling a bit disconnected.
That's when she came across the Denver Post Season To Share campaign, which raises funds for local nonprofits that help low-income families and individuals move out of poverty. Towani was immediately drawn to the program and decided to get involved. She started meeting with Antoniece, a middle schooler from Aurora who was living with her 71-year-old grandmother. They were matched through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, with Towani as the "Big" and Antoniece as the "Little."
For Towani, the experience has been incredibly rewarding. She's learned so much from Antoniece, who she describes as intuitive, physically strong, and deeply loving towards her grandmother. In fact, Antoniece even dressed up as a grandma for Halloween last year, which made Towani laugh and appreciate her even more.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been pairing adults with children for over a century, with the goal of empowering youth through mentorship. This year, they expanded their program to include mentoring at schools as well. With the statistic that one in three children lack a mentor, the need for programs like this is evident. The recent U.S. Surgeon General's report on the dangers of loneliness and social disconnection has only heightened the importance of mentoring for young people.
One of the challenges that Antoniece faces is a lack of safe outdoor space to play near her apartment. But despite this, she and Towani have formed a strong bond over the past year and a half. They've gone on hikes, swimming trips, and even to a circus. They listen to music together and have even gone roller skating, which Antoniece had tried once before and loved.
During the summer, Towani visited Zambia and promised Antoniece a gift when she returned. She went through all the proper channels, getting approval from the program director and Antoniece's grandmother. They ended up finding the perfect pair of roller skates at Walmart, with flashy aqua-blue wheels and sparkles. Antoniece was overjoyed and immediately wanted to try them out at the park.
It's clear that the Big Brothers Big Sisters program has had a positive impact on Antoniece's life. Her grandmother, Patricia Derritt, calls it a "lifesaver" for her granddaughter. Antoniece comes home from her outings with Towani with a big smile on her face, and Derritt can see the joy and experiences that she wouldn't have otherwise.
At the headquarters of Big Brothers Big Sisters, CEO Elycia Cook oversees dozens of pairings of Bigs and Littles. She believes that the mentors often benefit just as much, if not more, from the program than the Littles do. She's heard countless mentors say that it's good for their soul, changes the way they treat people, and even influences their voting decisions. It gives them a sense of purpose and connection to something bigger than themselves.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, which is located at 7535 E. Hampden Ave., Suite 605, Denver, CO 80231, started with just 918 people and has grown to include 36 employees and 775 volunteers. Their budget of $4,345,692 goes directly towards their programs, with over 1,550 clients served. It's clear that the impact of this organization is far-reaching and continues to make a positive difference in the lives of both the mentors and the mentees.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
