In 2011, Jeanette Turnier enrolled her grandchildren, Liam and Fallon, to be matched with a Big Brother and Big Sister. “I had heard good things about the organization,” Jeanette recalled. “Since both their mother and father were out of their lives and I’m disabled, I felt Liam and Fallon each needed a role model… someone to spend time with, do activities with and look up to.” A few months later, Little Brother Liam met Big Brother Dan, and Little Sister Fallon met Big Sister Leslie.
Dan and Liam have attended plenty of BBBS SEPA-sponsored Match Activities, and often work on homework together. Most notably, Big Brother Dan helped Little Brother Liam with his science project last year. “The question was, ‘How greasy are your favorite snacks?’ Liam won first prize! I framed the photos of them and Liam’s blue ribbon, and it’s hanging on my wall,” gushed Jeanette. After such a success, Dan planned to help Liam with his next project, which would determine what household objects form the best crystals.
Katherine Scholle, who manages both mentoring relationships, reported that both Littles are excelling in school. “Both Liam and Fallon have improved in their academics since meeting their Bigs. Fallon recently won the Student of the Month Award at her school.” Big Sister Leslie and nine-year-old Little Sister Fallon have a lot in common, as they both enjoy scrapbooking and being crafty. Once, they even made a dress together. Their standout outing, however, was the Justin Bieber concert Leslie surprised Fallon with for her birthday last year. “Fallon almost fainted!” her grandmother told us. Jeanette reported seeing positive changes in both of her grandchildren since they met their Bigs. “Liam is more mature and well-behaved, and Fallon is always looking forward to her visits with Leslie.”
