Gia and Lisa

Little Sister Gia and Big Sister Lisa Holmes have been matched since January of 2007, and have stayed together during very difficult times. When Gia's grandmother passed away a year ago, she went through a very dark time, adjusting both at home and in school. Big Sister Lisa was a wealth of support and stayed by Gia's side, knowing it would be hard for her Little Sister to not have a female role model and guide in her life. Gia's grandfather helped in every way he could to find the help she needed, but it was a very difficult time for Gia. Throughout the months, Gia's progress has been challenged, but Lisa has been there to help her through it, which has been very meaningful to Gia and her family.

The hard times have started to pass and Gia is doing much better now. She has joined the choir at church and is doing fantastic in school. In speaking with Match Support Specialist Vanessa Castrogiovanni, Gia's Grandfather says she "loves" her new school. He explained that she is attending a private school now and gets along well with the "new crew" at her middle school. Gia said she feels the "pressure is off" since the kids at school don't know her. Gia also attends the Hope Youth Ranch, where she enjoys being around the horses, and learning how to care for them. This has also helped motivate Gia to complete her school assignments on time.

Throughout this very trying period for Gia, Big Sister Lisa has stayed right by her side. Gia's Grandfather states that even when Lisa is busy traveling for her job, "she always calls to see how Gia is doing." The match is strong and powerful, especially given all their experiences together. Gia and Lisa consistently see each other for an array of activities such as going to the mall, the park, the movies, out to dinner and doing typical "girly things." Having Lisa as a Big Sister could not be more beneficial for Gia. Lisa tells Match Support Specialist, Vanessa, that she feels very close to her Little Sister and that she "can't imagine my life without her!" Gia's Grandfather has also expressed that "Lisa is part of the family!" It is truly wonderful how this relationship has grown and the support that Gia has found in her Big Sister Lisa.

Share your match moments with your Match Manager. You never know, your story could inspire others just like Lisa and Gia.

Barnes Scholarship - Applications Due October 15th

$4.00 children, seniors, students & military

As an extra benefit of being a Big, the agency receives a limited number of tickets for you and your Little to attend sporting events.  Although we would like to accommodate all who would like tickets, we are limited in resources.  Please be patient when responding about tickets and know that we always do our best to respond to your request as quickly as possible.  

ALL tickets are 'First Come, First Serve'!  When requesting a ticket, please e-mail DebbieH@bbbspc.org with the following information: your name, your Little's name, the tickets you are requesting and whether you are a Hernando or Citrus Match so that we can mail the tickets out to you if there is enough time to do so. Please include the address to which you would like your tickets to be mailed.