Highlights

Alan was matched with Little Brother Demarcus in 2005, when Demarcus was just 10 years old.

“I know for sure that both of us have benefited from knowing one another and sharing our lives,“ says Alan. “At some point, and I don't know exactly when it was, our relationship evolved from a structured activity into a true friendship. Friends are clearly among the most important assets one can have in life. So we have both derived a benefit that is precious and rare.”

Alan and Demarcus have shared many memories over the past six years, some as exciting as being on-field for a Jets practice when Brett Favre was quarterback to simply going to the book store or spending time sharing their mutual love of photography. Most importantly, Alan has been a consistent and positive force in Demarcus’ life.Demarcus’ mother, Janet, wrote in her nomination letter, “Alan has remained faithful to Demarcus through the many adversities we have had to face, from moving many times to being homeless at one point. No matter where we ended up, Alan was there.”

Now 16 years old, Demarcus wrote “I am now realizing the impact that the agency and Alan have on my life. I don’t cave to peer pressure, I know how to think for myself, I now know that hard work, as long as it is honest work, pays off, I know I have choices and know how to make the right ones. It’s always Alan who encourages me to keep going and tells me in order to play the game, I have to get in.”

Matt’s daughter Madison was born very early and weighed only 1 pound. After 3 long months in the hospital she came home perfectly healthy and just over 4lbs.

“I knew at that moment someone was looking out for me and that I needed to do something to impact someone else in a positive way,” says Matt. In December of 2007, he applied and was accepted into the Big Brothers Big Sisters program as a volunteer mentor.

He and Joey were matched just after Joey’s 12^th birthday, in March of 2008. Matt has watched Joey grow from shy and introverted into an outgoing and wonderful young man.

“Over the last 2 ½ years, Joe and I have been fortunate to be able to have done so many amazing things together. The BEST part of my match with Joe is that he is just as happy going to a park to throw a baseball or football, as he is to see an Islanders game. He never gets out of my car without saying thank you- even though I’m the one who should be thanking him.”

In 2010, Joey asked his Big Brother Matt to be his confirmation sponsor, and Matt took that honor with the pride it was intended. “Not only do I consider him my little brother, Madison (now 5 and in kindergarten) thinks of him as her ‘big’ brother.”

LAURA AND KAITLYN
23 year-old Laura has volunteered for hospital pediatric floors at children’s’ bedsides and in the activity room and spends her summers as a counselor for a camp in Brookhaven for children with behavioral disabilities. For Laura, a student at Adelphi University studying to be a Speech Language Pathologist, it was obvious as to where she wanted to focus her volunteer efforts next.

After losing a close friend, and pediatric patient, whom she met while volunteering at Winthrop University Hospital, she applied to become a Big Sister at Big Brothers Big Sister of Long Island. She was matched with 7 year old Kaitlyn in 2009.

For Laura, improving the lives of others, especially ensuring that all children have the opportunity to shine, is of utmost importance. “There are so many kids that may be living with situations and circumstances that are less then optimal, but having even just that one person rooting for them can make all the difference,” says Laura. “With Kait, she has many people in her life that love her and want what is best for her, I try to be just one more person to help guide her and encourage her to be her best.”

While eating ices last summer, Kaitlyn asked Laura “How old will I be when I lose you? How long do I get to keep you?” Laura, who says she benefits from the relationship as much as Kaitlyn, responded with a heartfelt smile, “I will ALWAYS be your Big Sister.”