September is Big Brother Big Sister month and we are getting ready for some excitement! What makes this month so special is our Bigs and Littles connecting and creating friendships. A while back, we asked our Bigs and Littles to share their stories with us. We received some wonderful match accounts. Read on to see what Karen has to say about her Little, Ashley, who she met two and a half years ago.

"I met my Little Sister, Ashley two years and three months ago. As we eyed each other in the waiting room of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO)  we had guessed who the other was but neither of us said anything until we got into the interview with our case worker and Ashley's mother. Finally we got to the part where Ashley and I had a chance to be alone, to just visit with each other and look at her ANIME drawings. We were checking each other out.

Yup, I thought, this 13 year old kid is really cool. Our case worker had matched us well. Ashley was crazy, nuts for ANIME, Japanese animation and I had worked in film animation as an animator for 20 years, up until 2002 when I switched gears and became a Registered Massage Therapist. We both loved to draw and we were both redheads. She got a kick out of the fact that as my Little Sister she was a good 5" taller than me.

Ashley was excited to show me more of her drawings so even though we were suppose to wait over the weekend before we could meet together as a match; we asked if we could skip that step because we both knew our pairing was a done deal. Since then we have hung out weekly, visiting the Comic Shop, checking out art museums, shopping and especially going to see movies. It's our passion really. One of the reasons I wanted to be a Big Sister was to have someone with whom I could enjoy animation films.

Two years ago, with some encouragement, Ashley wrote an essay as to why she should be chosen to be on an all kids jury at the Ottawa International Animation Festival to choose the best Children's films and TV series. Not only was she chosen, she was asked to give a speech, on a microphone, to a whole crowd of people, explaining what the jury did. We were both so excited. Unfortunately, I was away that weekend but I think that is what real mentoring is about. One helps to launch a kid into what they really love and then they take over and navigate themselves through the situation, just as Ashley did so beautifully.

Originally, I figured since I had some time, energy and stability, I could volunteer as a Big Sister. How very BIG of me. But now that I am in it, I realize that I'm the one that is benefitting from the match. I think Ashley is too, but I get such a kick out of the time we spend together. My life is fuller and more fun since I've been matched with Ash. She is easy company and our time together flies by. Being a Big is no small commitment but definitely worth every moment."

No matter what your interest, our Enrollment Coordinators take pride in matching Bigs and Littles based on geographical location, interest, hobbies and personality.

We are currently looking for more Mentoring InSchool Bigs! If you have a flexible schedule and think you can meet with a child for one hour a week, please contact Eric Lapierre at 613.247.4776 ext. 305 or by email at mis@bbbso.ca.

It only takes a little time to make a BIG difference in the life of a child!