Success Story

AMACHI / Mentoring Children of Prisoners - Success Story

BS- Andrea (name has been changed)

LS- Sunny (name has been changed)

Amachi Match: (BS and LS have been matched since January 2005)

 

What motivated you to become a Big?

I’ve always wondered how my life would have turned out if during my formative years I had a mentor. At the same time, I think the absence of a strong role model seeded my passion for empowering the self-esteem of socio-economically disadvantaged minority youth. I come from such a background and have worked diligently to overcome language barriers, racial stereotypes and personal fears/limitations to be an empowered, independent and successful young woman. Because of my experiences, I want to connect kids, who would otherwise be limited to the confines of what they know based on their circumstances, to a world of possibility.

 

What has your experience been?

Inspiring, life changing and filled with much learning. At first I had challenges with family stability and consistent communication.  I worked with my Match Support Advisor (Teressa Hale) to remedy the situation, which has since worked out very well. Sunny’s mom is very communicative and responds well to my visits. It’s rewarding to know that I can make a positive difference.

 

Often, when I share with people that I’m a Big Sister, they will say, “it’s really great that you’re doing something to help out, etc., etc.,” but to me, Sunny is not a charity case, she is a part of my life, and her role in it helps define who I am and what I’m about.

 

What has been the high point in your relationship with your Little?

It was around the time of our first year anniversary that I experienced a shift with Sunny. She and *Demetria, Sunny’s cousin, were riding in the back seat of my car, and Sunny said, “Oh! We forgot to bring the card we made for Andrea.” Unbeknownst to me, Demetria had her diary with her and while riding in the back seat; they tore out two pages and wrote “cards” for me. It was in the moment when they gave me the cards that I experienced my impact on them, and for the first time, I saw the depth and vulnerability of Sunny.  To get cards that say “I love you” was deeply moving.

 

Additionally, Sunny and Demetria have spent some time with a handful of my friends, and the girls know my friends by name and will ask about them, it’s really neat. And my friends have almost come to treasure the girls as their own, and I’m just ecstatic that my long-time dream of being a Big Sister is a reality.

 

*Demetria has now been matched with a Big of her own.