Sioux Empire United Way - Agency Success Stories

A Friend and Role Model
Agency: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sioux Empire Service: Recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers to act as mentors to at-risk youth. Mentor pairs meet 2-4 hours per month. Need: In South Dakota almost 27% of children are being raised in single parent homes. Children in divorced and single-parent families are at increased risk for low measures of academic achievement, increased likelihood of dropping out of high school, early, childbearing, increased levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and aggression. 28 children involved in Big Brother Big Sister are waiting for a mentor. Impact: Support and guidance from a responsible adult is critical to the process that allows youth to grow into productive adults.	Thud, thud, thud – the sound of a basketball echoes through a Sioux Falls park. “Hey, give me a little room,” shouts a blonde 12 year-old. His short yellow curls bounce as he runs back to the half court line. He quickly moves to the basket and scores. “Okay, you win Jake, you always win,” says David, laughing. David and Jake are a mentor match through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sioux Empire. Jake waited over 18 months to find his perfect match, and David is it. “I knew I wanted to do something more. That’s when I decided to mentor,” explains David. “I’m married with two little girls and Jake has almost become part of the family, and I’ve become part of his.” Today, there are many young boys and girls waiting for a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sioux Empire. “It’s amazing the difference an hour a week can make,” said Jake’s mother Kathy. “David has shown Jake things I never could. They built a shelf together, went fishing, and used power tools. I know their relationship isn’t always a walk in the park. But David is the type of friend and role model he needs.” Thanks to Sioux Empire United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters, over 380 children were matched with mentors last year. Giving kids, just like Jake, a friend they can trust for guidance and their parents, like Kathy, an opportunity to see their child grow. “David sees the man Jake could become and he’s helping him get there.”
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