"Kathryn has made a huge impact on my life...She has made me know that everything I want in life is possible. I just have to try."

      --- Little Sister Elisa about her Big Sister

 

"Robert has been many things in my life; he has been a friend, a coach, a teacher and a mentor...He has helped me to find myself and to define my priorities. Now I feel confident to create the opportunities and claim my future."

      --- Little Brother Raymond about his Big Brother

 

 

There is something remarkably similar about these words from Little Sister Elisa and Little Brother Raymond. Both these young people are on track for a successful future. With a maturity far beyond their years, both Elisa and Raymond realize that their mentor has had a positive impact on their life.

 

Elisa's Big Sister, Kathryn Hampton, and Raymond's Big Brother, Robert Cozzarelli, were recently honored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio as 2012 Big Sister and Big Brother of the Year.

Robert

Kathryn    

 

Kathryn, who has been matched with Elisa for five years, encourages her Little Sister to set goals, and she knows how to motivate Elisa to accomplish them. By opening up opportunities for Elisa and exposing her to new things, Kathryn is helping her grow into a confident young woman who excels in school and is on the honor roll. Throughout the years, the strength of this match relationship has provided benefits for Elisa's entire family. Kathryn participates in family activities, and helps Elisa's mom with everyday tasks that are difficult when there is a language barrier. In turn, Elisa's family has been there for Kathryn through a difficult loss in her own life.

 

Robert has been matched with his Little Brother, Raymond, for seven years. The outcomes couldn't be more obvious. Raymond faced many challenges in life that could have put him at risk not to fulfill his potential and achieve success. But today, with Robert's help and influence, Raymond has grown into a fine athlete and strong student who is being scouted by colleges and has been offered scholarships. Over the years, Robert has held Raymond accountable for his education and encouraged him to excel. He recognized Raymond's talent for athletics, and realized that his athletic involvement keeps him active and on track.

 

Big Sister of the Year Kathryn and Big Brother of the Year Robert represent all of the mentors - both community-based and school-based - who give their time to help central Ohio children. They are just two of the thousands of volunteers who have a positive impact on the lives of our children and our communities!

 

Their stories are reflected in national data recently released from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that substantiates the national Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program has positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth who face adversity. This data, which was developed in partnership with leading researchers, shows statistically significant improvements for youth during the first year of enrollment in three targeted outcomes areas - educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors and socio-emotional competency. Youth progress in these three areas is linked to longer-term outcomes such as high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency, and college or job readiness.