BBBSNEW Blog

Hi, everyone! My name is Cathy, and this is my Little Sister Athena. We have been matched for three years, and what a joy it has been!

I heard about BBBS through an event held at the KI Convention Center and knew that it was a program I wanted to be part of. I know what a difference one person can make in someone’s life! I wanted to be the person who can offer a positive connection and more opportunities than what they may have right now.

Athena and my time together is as varying as we can make it! Swimming, bowling, miniature golf,  the trampoline park, and anything creative are some of our favorite activities together. Michaels and Home Depot are favorites for us, and we like to participate in their free crafting. I love taking photos (a few too many for her, as she says) so I have made several hard cover books for us to go through. Athena told me that she loved when we went to the new water park in De Pere with my grandkids. It was so fun for me to introduce my family to her and see her play with them!

The thing that stands out to me most about Athena is the pride and joy I see on her face when she accomplishes something new. Whether it is climbing a rock wall, a flip on a trampoline, climbing ropes, making her own jewelry, or making things for her mom, she is realizing how capable, athletic, strong, creative, and smart she is! Athena has three brothers and another brother on the way, so she says that she loves having a relationship with a big sister as well. She is always looking forward to our next adventure and planning for the future. According to Athena, our future involves cat cafes, hot cocoa, and me cheering her on as she plays equestrian sports!

Because of my relationship with Athena, my life is richer, fuller, more interesting, and FUN!! To anyone considering becoming a Big, I would say… go for it! Do not be concerned that you will not be good at it. You will not know everything ever because it is a learn as you go, learn as you grow experience… together! Your Little has a lot to offer you that you have not even imagined, and it will be worth your time every time you see them smile.