BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KAUAI ANNOUNCES 2014 KAUAI SCHOOL-BASED BIG BROTHER OF THE YEAR

Big Brother Darren with Little Brother Benjamin is awarded 2014 Kauai School-Based Big Brother of the Year

Big Brother Darren has been matched to his Little Brother, Benjamin, at Kekaha Elementary for the past two years. When asked why he felt compelled to become a mentor, Darren responded, “I have witnessed the amount of youth that need someone to encourage, believe in them and give them hope, and I want to be that for someone else. I would be happy knowing that my presence in that child’s life made a difference.”

“I remember his response not just because of what was said but HOW he said it,” said Kaulana Finn, Regional Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kauai. “It was completely genuine.”

With Darren graduating and their match ending, Little Brother Benjamin shared that what he’ll miss most about his Big Brother is “his heart.” Darren will be attending a college in Australia.

Every time he walked into Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kauai’s afterschool mentoring program, Darren “high-fived” ALL of the “Littles” and always arrived with a positive attitude. Darren was also very involved in his school and was part of the Waimea High School’s Jr. ROTC Program. We are excited to recognize this outstanding young man as our 2014 Kauai School-Based Big Brother of the Year.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii:

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.  We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people by making meaningful, monitored matches between qualified volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the state. As part of the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii mentoring programs have proven, positive impact for youth in the areas of academics, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes, high school graduation rates, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or career readiness. Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii is a statewide organization that serves over 700 children as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hawaii Island, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kauai, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui. Help us make a big difference by visiting www.bbbshawaii.org.

Media Contact:

Ashley Nunes

Development and Marketing Coordinator

Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii

anunes@bbbshawaii.org  / 808-695-4566