COMMUNITY NEWS
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward
B
Names Bigs of the Year
Big Brother Howard met his Little Brother Walter ig Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County recently honored four volunteers as Big five years ago when Walter was a fourth-grader. of the Year for their outstanding volun- At the time, Walter was struggling academically teer service as one-to-one mentors to young and socially. Howard immediately set to work people in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. helping Walter learn to read, and as a result, his Howard Liebman and Shenika “Nik” Harris were reading literacy scores improved by three grade selected as Big of the Year from the traditional levels with his other academic work improving community-based program, and teenagers as well. Plus, Walter had always wanted to learn Sofia Morales-Guzman and Angel Nava, who karate, so he could defend himself from bullying mentor elementary school-aged children, were in school. Howard and Walter set out to make his chosen from the school-based program. They dream a reality and started an online fundraising were chosen out of more than 1,000 mentors campaign to fund his karate. They raised more than $1,300 to pay for his annual tuition at his in the program. karate school. Walter is now getting ready to “This is the first year we’ve honored teenage mentors in our Big of the Year program,” said obtain his black belt. Malena Mendez, president and CEO of Big Brothers “We work hard together to practice his reading Big Sisters of Broward. “They certainly are worthy every week, and now he is able to fully comprehend of this special recognition, as are our adult Bigs. and read all of the material presented to him in We’re so grateful to all of Bigs of the Year for their school,” said Howard, a Fort Lauderdale resident. life-changing service to their Littles.” “He also has excelled tremendously in karate and it has helped his self-esteem, his confidence, and Big of the Year Howard Leibman with Little Walter his focus. He has developed confidence and self-assurance that is quite incredible to witness.” Big Sister Nik heard about the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward BIGPride mentoring program at a LGBTQ+ workplace training. Nik was matched with Katie, who had recently lost her mom. Katie needed someone to provide support and guidance as she dealt with profound loss. She faced additional challenges because she moved from a home-school environment to public high school, where she was bullied. Nik came to the rescue by helping Katie stand strong in these rough situations, gain additional confidence and express gender identity more freely. Katie now is attending Broward College studying social work. “I admire the bravery I see in youth, especially LGBTQ+ youth,” said Nik, who resides in Fort Teenage Big of the Year Angel Nava (right) with Little Justin Lauderdale. “Kids are full of wonder and are adventurers at heart. I became a Big to help a young person hold on to those qualities, regardless of their situation.” SofiaMorales-Guzman, 18, is a senior at Nova High School and resides in Plantation. She mentors Myra, who is a fourth-grader at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School. “I wanted to become Big because I know how important an older sibling is,” said Morales-Guzman. “My older sister had a significant impact on how I grew up, she is my best friend and the person I admire the most. I hoped that in becoming a Big I could be the same for someone else. Myra has become a little sister to me, and my greatest reward is seeing her grow up before me.” Angel Nava, 17, is a senior at South Plantation High School and resides in Fort Lauderdale.He mentors Justin, a 5th grader at Plantation Park 60 / Our City Weston / March 2022 / OurCityMedia.com
Teenage Big of the Year Sofia Moralez-Guzman with Little Myra
Big of the Year Nik Harris (left) with Little Katie
Elementary School. He became a Big because he’s good with kids, having looked after his younger siblings and cousin and helped them with homework. “We’ve created a great bond and developed a strong friendship,” said Nava. “After we got comfortable with each other, we started talking like we’ve known each other forever.” Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations across the state nominate Bigs to be the Florida Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida selects one Big Sister and one Big Brother who personifies what it means to be a defender of potential.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of ▸ About Broward County
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County is dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Its larger vision is for all youth to achieve their full potential. For more information, visit www.bbbsbroward.org or call (954) 584-9990.
