News Room
BBBS December Match of the Month
1/5/2010
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December Match of the Month
Presented by Match Support Specialist, Clara Luna
Chandra & Bianca
I met my beautiful Little Bianca in 2007, on a Sunday, and we made plans for our first outing on the following Saturday. On Tuesday, I was asked by Bianca’s mother to appear in Juvenile Court on Bianca’s behalf as a part of her support system following a juvenile probation violation. This came as a surprise to not only me but also to our Match Support Specialist. She encouraged me to hang in there if possible. I knew that the last thing Bianca needed was for me to give up on her, and so I appeared in court on Bianca’s behalf and began to get to know my new little sister.
Immediately I found Bianca to be charming, and as with the average teenage girl, her primary preoccupation was with boys and Taco Bell, and this became sort of a focus for our outings. I also came to know that Bianca’s brush with the Juvenile Justice System was not as a result of committing crimes and or major violations, Bianca had an issue with truancy – she did not like going to school. I will admit that I felt somewhat helpless in thinking of ways to help Bianca do better with her issues, and within a year of our relationship, Bianca was committed to a Juvenile Girls program outside of Miami. Again, I called my match support specialist- at this time Clara Luna- and she encouraged me to maintain the match. It was not my plan or intention to sever ties with Bianca, I merely wanted a Little that I could spend time with, however after speaking with Clara I felt that is was best that I give Bianca my full “mentoring” attention. I went to visit her at her program and we exchanged letters as well. I wanted her to know that even though she was in her situation, I was still there for her. I know there have been few people in Bianca’s life who have truly cared for her.
When Bianca came home, we resumed our visits and she has not been in any more trouble since. Among my most memorable moments together was last summer when I took Bianca and a group to see Dwayne Wade and Alonzo Mourning. I arranged an opportunity for her that no one else in the room had and that was for her to get Dwayne Wade’s autograph. When asked why I did that for her- I replied “she’s my little sister so that makes her special”. My other most memorable moment was going to Santa’s Enchanted Forrest with BBBS. We ate and ate – mini doughnuts among other things, and she bought a birthday gift for her mom. We had a great time.
Thank you to everyone for helping us to develop such a beautiful friendship.
Sincerely,
Chandra
Big Sister
