'Gifts to each other:' Big Brothers Big Sisters participants find perfect match

Torin Halsey, Wichita Falls Times Record News
·2 min read
Brianna Mendieta, right, and Sandra Brooks, check out photos of other Big Brothers Big Sisters matches like theirs. The City View student and the retiree were matched about two years ago and get along great.
Brianna Mendieta, right, and Sandra Brooks, check out photos of other Big Brothers Big Sisters matches like theirs. The City View student and the retiree were matched about two years ago and get along great.

When Brianna Mendieta's grandmother passed away, she felt like she'd lost her best friend.

The City View Junior High student spent endless hours alone in her room until her mother decided to enroll her in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Civil Service retiree Sandra Brooks was missing her grown daughter and looking for a way to give back to her community.

Filling out a list of interests helps determine successful matches.

"They ask your interests and what you're looking for in a Big or a Little, and I was interested in crafts, reading and crochet, I wanted someone outgoing and in her age group, said Brooks.

"When she showed up, I could just see it all in her face and in her body language. At the end, after they introduced us and everything, they said, 'Would you like to go out together tonight?' and we're both like, 'Yes, yes!'" added Brooks.

They're first outing was to Dairy Queen for ice cream. That was two years ago. They often go out to eat, spend time crocheting, watch movies, visit bookstores or do something crafty.

Sandra Brooks, left, and Brianna Mendieta were matched by Big Brothers Big Sisters in December of 2019 and both have been thrilled with the connection.
Sandra Brooks, left, and Brianna Mendieta were matched by Big Brothers Big Sisters in December of 2019 and both have been thrilled with the connection.

Brooks has taught literacy in previous volunteer work and had included outings with that student then as well. "We made a nice connection but, it's nothing like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the way they match you so well, I just can't get over the connection that Brianna and I have."

They both feel that Brianna's grandmother may have had something to do with their matching.

"Her interests match with my grandmother's interests, that makes me happy because that makes me feel like she's still with me right now," Mendieta said with a smile.

Read more: Big Brothers Big Sisters plots 'walk to the moon' fundraiser

Dwayne Bivona, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters said, "We're always looking for volunteers, obviously, but I think a lot of families maybe are unaware of what we do, and so we're really encouraging families to take a look at the program and get their kids enrolled."

"If you take a look at the benefits of having an adult mentor in your life, everybody, it doesn't matter where you live or where you are, I think everybody can benefit from having that. So we're trying to get the word out to both sides," Bivona added.

Requirements for the program are that Littles be 7 to 17 years old and that Bigs are older than 18. There is also an extensive interview process to help assess likes and dislikes, preferences and activity levels.

The connections made can be lifelong and rewarding.

In the case of Briana and Sandra, Brooks says, "We're each other's gifts to each other."

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Big Brothers Big Sisters: Similar interests make for great match