Little Brother Abel was first matched with his Big Brother Kerry in 2012 when he was just 10 years old through the Sports Buddies program. Abel was an uncertain and shy kid and his mother, Lorilee, knew that he needed a stable and trustworthy male influence in his life. Kerry was exactly the right match.
As part of the Sports Buddies program, the pair took part in many group sporting events over the years. Kerry had a knack for using sports to build Abel’s confidence and he always found time to have intentional conversations about Abel’s life. Abel learned to lean on Kerry for advice and to talk through challenges he was going through.
As Abel’s confidence grew, he began to pursue bigger challenges and opportunities. When he had doubts, he brought them to Kerry and asked for guidance. Kerry always supported him and expressed his belief in his ability to succeed. “He’s able to tell Kerry things he can’t tell me”, Abel’s mother Lorilee said. “He trusts him in a way I can’t explain. It’s hard for Abel to have a bond with a male and he has that with Kerry. The time that they spend together and the conversations they have are just the best.”
As challenges came up at home or at school, Lorilee would notice Abel frequently saying, “I need to talk to Kerry about this.” One of those important conversations occurred when Abel expressed interest in running for student council. He was hesitant and wasn’t sure he could win. Kerry encouraged him to try. Abel applied, was elected, and served for all four years of high school. He was even the student body president his senior year! “We have developed a great bond of friendship and loyalty and it’s been great watching him grow and learn about life and activities through Big Brothers Big Sisters,” Kerry said. “I have seen Abel go from being a shy young boy to a successful president of his class.”
Tragically, throughout his life, Abel has lost seven friends to suicide. This has affected him greatly and he committed to making a difference in his community. He met with social workers and the school superintendent and he helped organize a Challenge Week at school to raise awareness about and support for other students who were affected by suicide. Knowing the value and impact of a mentor like Kerry, Abel understood the need for other kids to have someone to talk to also. As a leader in his school, he made himself available to talk to other students going through difficult times and helped direct them to the supports they needed.
Earlier this year Abel and Kerry were awarded the Match of the Year at our Big Shots Gala and their story was also featured in the AT&T Believe Denver campaign, which aims to curb youth suicide in our community through volunteerism. Abel graduated from high school this past May and he was accepted to the University of Northern Colorado where he received an academic scholarship. He is pursuing studies in social work so he can continue to help others in need.
Over the years, Abel has gone from a shy kid lacking confidence to a leader and role model in his school and community. “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado means so much to me because it gives me someone I can talk to and communicate with.” The relationship Abel and Kerry have built exemplifies the power of one to one mentoring and the potential that Littles can realize when they have the support they need from a consistent, positive, role model that supports them in becoming confident, caring, and hardworking future leaders!