New Member Induction

We welcomed Shauna Sanzo as the newest club member on Friday.  She is a pilot with SkyWest.

Big Brothers Big Sisters – Building Life-Changing Friendships

Last Friday, we welcomed Naomi Torres, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland. Naomi shared how the organization creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Children in the program—called “Littles”—are ages 8 to 17 and come from across Cuyahoga County. Many face challenges such as growing up in single-parent households, poverty, or having a parent who has been incarcerated. A consistent, caring adult—known as a “Big”—can make an extraordinary difference in their lives, from boosting self-confidence and improving grades to reducing depressive symptoms.

The long-term benefits are striking: Littles are more likely to enroll in college, earn more over their lifetime, and close much of the economic gap compared to peers without mentors.

Naomi also highlighted the critical need for male volunteers. While more women sign up as Big Sisters, the majority of children waiting are boys—so much so that enrollment for new boys had to be temporarily paused.

Becoming a Big requires being at least 21, having reliable transportation, and a willingness to commit to meeting with a child two times per month for about a year. Activities don’t need to be expensive—playing board games, visiting the Metroparks, or just spending time together can have a profound impact.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides strong support for volunteers, from free tickets to local events to financial help for outings.

Naomi also shared the inspiring story of Jessica Payne, now the organization’s President & CEO, who started out as a Little herself back in 1994. Having experienced firsthand the life-changing power of mentorship, Jessica now leads the organization with that perspective guiding every decision.