Big Brothers Big Sisters Making an Impact
ATASCADERO, Calif. – For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has made an impact nationwide by nurturing kids with positive adult role models. The organization not only changes the lives of young people, but also their adult mentors as well.
Over the years, thousands of kids have benefited from Big Brothers Big Sisters, including more than 1700 in San Luis Obispo County since 1995. Among those is Jonathon Rosburg, who was paired with Evan Sylvester. Both were living in San Luis Obispo at the time and were matched in 2005.
“I didn’t have anyone to connect with when I was younger. I grew up with me and my mom, so I didn’t really have a father figure,” said Rosburg, who is now 18 years old and was just 8 when he joined Big Brothers Big Sisters. “I didn’t have a brother and I was interested in experiencing in someone like that.”
To fill the void, Rosburg convinced his mother he should sign up with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. At the same time, then 25-year Sylvester was looking to make a direct impact with the community by doing something more than just donating money.
“I wanted to experience that mentoring role,” said Sylvester. “I wanted to help a young boy, help a young man and share what I learned and do things together and sort of have a little brother, I never had a little brother.”
Sylvester volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was quickly paired with Rosburg and a close bond was soon established.
“We met and just hit it off the bat immediately,” said Sylvester. “I remember meeting him and we just sort of instantly clicked. It was almost one of those we kind of looked like each other.”
“It felt very natural for me,” said Rosburg. “It felt like I was with someone that I was always felt like I should be with.”
Over the next several years, the two bonded through numerous trips to the outdoors.
“We would go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, snowboarding, we would go mountain biking all the time, going camping, hiking, working on stuff around the house,” said Sylvester.
“We did a lot of mountain biking, did a lot of hiking, went to the beach a lot, just a lot of physical activity where we would just get out and have fun,” said Rosburg. “Those were some of my favorite memories I’d say growing up.”
Through those memorable and influential experiences, Rosburg says his life was changed for the better.
“Evan has really given me the experience I need and the lessons you only learn from actually doing and experiencing, that’s something I wouldn’t have gotten if I hadn’t had Evan.”
Sylvester says his life has also been positively impacted through his involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Personally, it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done,” said Sylvester. “I’m incredibly grateful to have Jon in my life and to have grown as a result of knowing him.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County is encouraging members to take part in the program. It requires only 6 to 8 hours of time per month. It’s a small amount of time that can make an lifelong impact. Anyone interested can call Big Brothers Big Sisters of SLO County at (805) 781-3226 or visit slobigs.org.
The community can also help out the organization by taking part in the “Totally Awesome 80’s’ Bowl For Kids’ Sake” fundraiser this weekend.
Funds can be donated through FirstGiving.com. KCOY is generating funds and will take part in the bowling event by taking on a Team Up and Adam in the Morning from Q104.5 FM. The team, consisting of Tony Cabrera, Claire Anderson, Dave Alley and Juanita Adame will battle Team Up and Adam for media bragging rigthts and to see who can generate the most donations. To donate on KCOY’s behalf, go to kcoy.com and click on the FirstGiving link.
Bowl for Kids Sake is scheduled on Sunday, March 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and will be held at Mustang Lanes on the Cal Poly campus.
