Ervin didn’t like reading. So every week, his Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, Karl would come to his school, sit with him, and help him with the words.
That’s what a Big Brother does. He shows up. Every time.
Six years later, Karl still shows up for Ervin.
“He’s helped me get through the hard times, and he’s always been there for me when I need him,” Ervin says. “He’s one of my best friends. He’s like a real brother to me.”
Karl and Ervin have been matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village since Ervin was in second grade. He’ll finish junior high this spring. Then it’s off to high school.
And Karl will still show up.
“It’s one of those things you don’t want to stop,” Karl says. “You want to see him grow and see him go.”
So Karl takes Ervin to the movies or out to dinner. He offers words of encouragement and advice when it’s needed.
“He’s gotten me to have more friends, because I’m more nice to everybody,” Ervin says. “There’s just a lot of things I like about him. There’s a lot of good stuff about him.”
Karl feels the same about Ervin.
“He says I’m there for him. Well, he’s there for me, too,” Karl says. “It kind of goes both ways. He’s just a really special kid, and I’m glad I’m able to be part of his life.”
The sky’s the limit for this kid, Karl says. Thanks to the match support provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ervin has big potential. And it started with something little.
It started with Karl showing up.
“He’s a person I can rely on,” Ervin says. “He’s like a brother.”
"He’s helped me get through the hard times, and he’s always been there for me when I need him." – Ervin, Little Brother
Donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Village allows the volunteer program to match more mentors with at-risk youth, creating more “Little Beginnings” that lead to “BIG Potential.” Please consider making a gift online.
