ABOUT US

About Us: 2015 Big Brother State Winner

Two Brothers Grow Up. Together.

Big Brother Calvin and Little Brother Mike

Big and Little Brother In 2007 Mike’s mother Daneka signed him up to be a Little Brother. Daneka signed Mike up because his father was in prison and his uncle had just been murdered in the streets in Newark; he had no men in his life who were committed to his success. Around the same time Calvin walked into the Big Brothers Big Sisters office because he felt that giving back might help him find some direction of his own. Calvin was 24 years old at the time.

Eight years later Calvin and Mike are family and Calvin is being celebrated as Big Brother of the Year. Along the way they have both grown up.

“When Mike’s grades started to slip it was Calvin’s help and encouragement that got him back on track to pull his failing grades to passing grades.” Says Mike’s mom.

Fast forward a few years to 2015 - Mike’s senior year and a very different academic future is being forged. “Mike recently received high honors for making honor roll this past semester.”

Mike’s mother’s gratitude for Big Brothers Big Sisters pours out when she talks about Calvin this way: “Calvin opened his heart and home to my son and my family. I am blessed to have him as a Big Brother to my son because he shows Michael that it’s not about living the street life here in Newark.”

Big and Little Brother The friendship that was forged between Mike and Calvin during the past eight years has helped Calvin to pursue his dream of opening a high-end barber shop – Calvin wanted to show his Little Brother that “No dream is too Big to achieve.” Calvin is now a successful local business owner.

Mike thinks about his Big Brother this way: “A young man always needs that one-to-one, man-to-man talk at times and mothers are not always our first choice. Whenever I am going through internal situations in my life Calvin is just one call away.”

Calvin reflects on his eight years as a Big Brother this way: “I couldn’t imagine not being a part of Mike’s and his family’s life. I honestly feel like I’m the lucky one here. I got an extended family and a friend for life.” Mike might disagree: “Calvin is here to see me make my dreams a reality. I want to thank my mother and the BBBS staff for matching me with my Big Brother and new family.”