“If someone doesn’t put a vision in your life, or take you places you’ve never been, or show you things you’ve never seen, how can you dream any bigger?”

-former little brother

Beyond the research, at U.P. Kids Big Brothers Big Sisters we personally witness the positive outcomes for the young people we work with in our local communities. We know that having a Big Brother or Big Sister impacts a child’s life for the better, forever.

One of our recent match stories is mission-affirming proof to us that our program makes a big difference, one child at a time. The Big Brother wouldn’t say that he did all that much, but, we beg to differ

When Big Brother Tom met his Little Brother Michael, he was a bubbly and fun 8-year-old whose enthusiasm was infectious. The little brother’s life was just taking shape, and he had plenty of obstacles to overcome with no consistent male role models.

Ten years later, the Tom said he feels “so much has changed, yet so much remains the same. We still enjoy similar tastes in music. We still like to be silly — singing and dancing in the car.”

Through the years, Michael has always been up for new activities. According to Tom, “His willingness to engage in virtually any outing spoke volumes to me — it didn’t matter what we did, as long as we were together.”

Together, they have gone on fishing adventures, attended sporting events, played hockey and gone bowling.

Tom has been a role model for Michael. The time he has invested has had a positive impact on the Michael, with a rippling effect in his family.

Michael’s mom believes that the Big Brother is a valuable resource for her son. She’s sure there could be no better big brother for him.

“Michael cares what Tom thinks of him, and does not want him to be disappointed in him,” Michael’s mother said.

Tom has taken Michael to his workplace for Take Our Children to Work Day, where he got to see what Tom does every day. Michael also got to experiment with the company’s 3-D printer.

For the past 10 years, Tom has modeled what it is to be a stable adult offering unwavering support to Michael. They’ve discussed Michael’s hopes to be a video game designer and the possible path to achieve that goal.

When Tom reflects on their match, it’s clear he knows the effects haven’t been one- sided.

He says his relationship with Michael has helped him chart a course for himself as a father. Being involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters has shown him that it doesn’t take much to help improve the lives of others.

“Michael has changed my life, perhaps as much as I have changed his,” Tom said.

Michael credits his Tom for a great deal of his stability and success.

“Tom has been there through all of my ups and downs. He’s helped to make me the man I am today,” Michael said. “I just can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me!”

We help children to realize their potential and build their futures and in turn we strengthen communities. Bringing this life-changing mission to the children in our community takes everyone’s support.

We depend on our volunteers, families, donors, community partners and professional colleagues in the field. At this time of year in particular, we depend on support from the community through our signature fundraising event, Bowl for Kids, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 18 in Houghton.

Bowl for Kids is definitely not about the bowling. It’s about having fun for a good cause. The purpose of the event is to invite the community to be a part of our mission and it is an easy and fun way for people to support children in our local communities.

Visit www.upkids.com to get involved today. Help our Littles dream bigger. Help our littles strike it big in life.

Studies show that children in mentoring relationships feel better about themselves, doing better in school and have a better chance of going on to higher education. When children are involved in quality mentoring they also get along better with their peers and other adults.

Realizing new perspectives through healthy interactions with a mentor can also result in improved outlooks toward the future.

Our match stories are the proof of all the studies and research. Our matches offer us hope.

They are the reason we go to work every day and tirelessly advocate for our mission.

Maggie M. Munch is the program director for U.P. Kids Big Brothers Big Sisters.