Life is made up of big and small moments. For almost three years, I’ve been a mentor, or Big, through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana. I’ve been paired with Bre, who is now 12 years old, and our journey together has been amazing, full of meaningful connections and lasting memories.
Our first outing was at Bre’s favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, where we got to know each other over dinner. Since then, our bond has grown a lot. We’ve done so many fun activities together, like ice skating, taking cooking classes, playing at Activate Games, visiting Kentucky Kingdom, and painting pottery. Each of these experiences has allowed Bre to just have fun without any pressure.
BBBS Kentuckiana helps children and teens ages 7 to 15 in 10 counties across Kentucky and Indiana. The goal is to match young people with mentors who can help them reach their full potential. Matches are made carefully, considering personality, shared interests, and overall fit, to create strong, supportive relationships.
While I’m part of the one-on-one matches program, which is the most popular, BBBS offers other impactful programs. The School to Work program teaches students workplace readiness and pairs them with a mentor. There’s also Site-based Mentorship, where high school students become mentors to younger kids at school.
One of my favorite memories with Bre was running in the first-ever Floral Frenzy 5K at Kentucky Kingdom, which supported BBBS Kentuckiana. After the race, where we got covered in color, we spent the rest of the day at the park. Thanks to community partners like Kentucky Kingdom, mentors like me can give their Littles experiences they might not otherwise have. These moments are not just fun; they also teach important lessons, like the value of health, exercise, and giving back to the community, all while creating happy memories.
As mentors, we are a crucial support system for our “Littles,” but we also help them enjoy being kids. Just like Kentucky Kingdom, we’re focused on creating memories worth repeating. I hope that through our time together, Bre will look back on her childhood with happiness, achieve her dreams, and maybe even become a mentor herself someday.
These Big and Little moments are more than just mentorship; they’re the foundation for a lifelong bond.
Lee Fowler grew up in Kentucky and lives and works in Louisville. She is passionate about community engagement and has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana for nearly three years.