MATCH STORIES💚
The Power of Showing Up: Kerry & Skylar’s Story
As Big Sister Kerry and her Little, Skylar, prepare to celebrate their one-year Match anniversary, they’ve discovered that the strongest friendships aren’t built through grand gestures – they’re built by simply showing up.
Skylar, 7, is full of curiosity, confidence, and joy. She has a vibrant personality and a habit of breaking into dance whenever the moment feels right – something that never fails to make Kerry smile.
Over the past year, the pair has built a friendship through baking, arts and crafts, painting their nails, and playing endless rounds of “21 Questions.” Every outing is another opportunity to laugh, learn, and grow together. Now that summer has arrived, they’re looking forward to adding swimming to their list of adventures.
One of their favorite traditions is searching Western New York for the best cheeseburger and fries. Since it’s Skylar’s favorite meal, they’ve turned each outing into a fun adventure as they work toward crowning their favorite local spot.
For Kerry, one of the greatest rewards has been watching Skylar’s confidence continue to grow. Simply showing up, listening, laughing together, and being a consistent, caring adult has created a friendship that means just as much to Kerry as it does to Skylar.
“It’s amazing how much joy and perspective a seven-year-old can bring.”
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara & the Southern Tier, we know that mentorship changes lives. Every Match is built one conversation, one shared experience, and one meaningful moment at a time. Stories like Kerry and Skylar’s remind us that making a difference doesn’t require extraordinary plans—it simply begins with showing up.
As Kerry and Skylar look ahead to another year of adventures, one thing is already clear: sometimes the biggest impact comes from sharing the simplest moments.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for a young person is simply show up.
Interested in making a BIG impact in a child’s life? Learn more about becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara & the Southern Tier at BBBSENST.org.
