Match Madness: How Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana is Creating Winning Matches This March

The Power of a Perfect Match: Why Mentorship is Like a Winning Team

As March Madness ramps up, college basketball teams across the country are refining the perfect combination of skills, support, and dedication to take them to the top. And they’re not the only ones. At Big Brothers Big Sisters Kentuckiana, we’ve got success on the brain too as we celebrate Match Madness with mentors and youth.

The Power of a Perfect Match

Not just any old combination of passionate and talented players results in a championship-winning team. It takes a certain balance of top players, their strengths, and their drive, to pull it together.

Similarly, a successful mentorship relies on a perfect match between mentor and youth. Anyone can become a successful and supportive Big, but they need the right match. That’s why BBBSKY matches Bigs and Littles using a highly trained Match Support specialist, who supports them throughout their relationship.

How Big Brothers Big Sisters Creates Winning Matches

This Match Madness, as always, Match Support Specialists are getting to know both mentors and youth in the area.

To create mentorship matches in Kentuckiana, MSS learn each individual’s interests, backgrounds, and goals. These shape the things Bigs and Littles do together every day, and the basis of their strong bonds--pickup basketball games, trips to the zoo, chats over a shared meal--however they like to spend time together.

MSS use their understanding of each person to pair Bigs and Littles that have common interests and personalities. They’re at the first match meeting to make things as comfortable and smooth as possible. From then on, MSS are always there behind the scenes, ready to check in and provide support. They’re the coach, and the Big and Little are their winning team. 

Match Madness: The Impact of Strong Mentorship Matches in Kentuckiana

Bigs mention again and again how becoming a mentor has changed their lives. Their Littles help them grow and learn, as much as they become a role model for their Littles. Like all the greatest teammates, Bigs and Littles push the other to reach their full potential.

Big Sister Morgan describes the way her Little Sister Rae brings out her chatty side, while she's seen Rae “become more comfortable and open to who she is.” Big Brother Tory’s watched his Little Brother grow from 8 years old to a high school senior with “a little swag to him” and dreams of becoming an EMT. Little Sister Daesha describes her Big Sister as a “friend for life.” The best way to know how mentoring changes lives? By taking that first step toward becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister.

Get Involved: How You Can Help Us Build Winning Matches

This Match Madness, there are plenty of ways to participate with and support Big Brothers Big Sisters Kentuckiana. 

March Mentoring Opportunities

Interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister? If you’re considering becoming a volunteer for BBBSKY, come out to Mentorship on Tap on March 25 to chat with current Bigs and get involved with our team. 

Donation Matching

Thousands of companies match their employees’ donations, which support training new Bigs to be the best they can be. Check out our Double the Donation tool to see if your employer participates in donation matching with BBBSKY.

March Activities

Of course, we’ve got activities planned for our current Big and Little matches to spend time together this Match Madness. We’ve got outings for whatever you and your Little are into, from hip-hop to soccer and beyond. 

If you’ve been thinking about creating a positive impact this year, Match Madness is the perfect time to get involved with BBBSKY and see firsthand the way that Bigs and Littles come together to create a winning combination. Signing up for BBBSKY March opportunities is a great way to become a part of a meaningful and robust community throughout Kentuckiana, and to make connections for life.

To stay in the loop with all things BBBSKY, sign up for our newsletter. Help us build more winning matches this March—become a Big or support our mission today!