Our Graduating Matches

​Ending are so sad….but bring new and exciting beginnings!  This is the time of year that we graduate Littles from our program that have either graduated high school or turned 18.  As a staff member of BBBS of Washtenaw County since 2002, I’ve watched many of these young people grow up.  And it saddens me to see them and their Bigs leave us.  But I’m excited for what’s next for them.
 
KeShon and Yasmine – These ladies were our Match of the Month in June 2018.  Jasmine says “some of her most memorable moments have been all the times I’ve been able to celebrate KeShon with her family! From her 8th grade graduation, going to some of her track/cross country meets, watching her perform on the dance team in high school, being at her sweet seventeen birthday party to most recently sending her off to her high school prom!  What I love about our match is first how long we have been able to grow our relationship and I’ve been able to see KeShon blossom from a quiet pre-teen to a young adult about to start college! I love that we can always be ourselves with each other, and that KeShon keeps me hip with all the newest lingo and dances. I’ve also loved not only getting to know KeShon, but her whole family and feeling so welcomed”!
 
Jovani and Aiden –  These guys were matched together 7 years ago.  It’s been amazing to watch their friendship grow.  Jovani moved further away, Aiden kept going to pick him up regularly.  Jovani struggled with reading, and they started their own little book club.  Jovani wanted to visit college campuses, Aiden took him.  They’re family, and always will be.  Jovani and Aiden will be traveling to the UK and Spain together this summer to visit the Aiden’s family. After, Jovani will be moving up to Mount Pleasant, MI to attend Central Michigan University. 
 
Thomas and Dominic – Thomas and Dominic have been matched for over 3 years.  Dominic has provided support to Thomas as he neared the end of his high school career, talking about college and playing football.  As a college student himself, he’s learned to balance school and volunteering at BBBS, and all of the other things, so has great insights to share with Thomas.  Thomas is working and figuring out the next step in his journey. 
 
Xavier and Ravi – Ravi has been there for Xavier for the last 5 years.  Xavier has moved around a bit over that time, and Ravi’s always been there, willing to drive to see him, even when he’s lived an hour away.  Ravi and Xavier have set goals around getting a job and finishing high school, and will continue to work toward those, even though not officially a part of BBBS. 
 
Beth and Helen – Beth and Helen's match was a great one that consisted of dancing to music playing over the speakers of Target, trying on funny clothes, and doing arts & crafts. Although Helen has moved away for medical school, the match plans on keeping in communication to see how things are going. Best of luck in the future!!
 
Japeth and Bryan – In Bryan’s words….Next month Japeth turns 18 and therefore ages out of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. We will, no doubt, remain brothers and keep hanging out. We were matched as brothers when he was almost 12 years old in 2012. Today we attended our last annual BBBS picnic together and went out for ice cream with two other matches. (Today is, after all, National Ice Cream Day.)
Here are a couple photos to show how much he has grown, but he has grown in so many ways that you can’t see in the pictures. He is wiser, more grounded, more independent, more focused, and more driven. And he has retained all of his wonderful qualities - charming, personable, outgoing, insightful, artistic, athletic, musical, and absolutely hilarious. He has inspired me in many ways and I’m so proud of how he handles himself and expresses himself. I’m so grateful to know Japeth and be a part of his life.
 
Matthew and Kevin – It is a joy to see how much Kevin and Matt’s relationship has grown since those early days. Over the years, Kevin has worked with Matt to prepare for several important milestones: teaching him to drive, helping him to apply for jobs, and helping him think about his career goals. Because Matt hopes to be a mechanic one day, Kevin often plans activities for them involving cars. Kevin took Matt to the Henry Ford Museum, a car show at Washtenaw Community College, and a trip to talk to a mechanic about his work. They guys are forever friends!