Testimonials

    

"The need for youth mentorship continues to grow because the number of at-risk children continues to grow. Youth mentoring is one of the most important and powerful things we can do and support to invest in our most valuable natural resource—our children. Youth mentorship works. There is a clear indication that there is a return on investment—a numerical return that we can cite. By choosing to support something as impactful as the Federated Challenge you have provided hope for children. You are making a powerful statement that says when a caring, stable, committed, loving, trustworthy adult pulls alongside an at-risk child, it will forever and profoundly change the trajectory of that child's life."
– Mary Pawlenty, First Lady of Minnesota

"More of these stories need to be told. But they’ll only be told if programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters are able to reach out to more young people and to families at risk. They’ll only be told if you continue to help make them possible. They’ll only be told if you help us tell them."
– Father William Lies, University of Notre Dame

    




    

From the Kids of Minnesota

“I used to hate going to school. Now I really like school because I’m getting better grades. My Big Sister is a big help and always wants to know how I am doing in school.”

“I can’t always talk to my mom because she is always working. I know she cares about me and my brother and sister, but we don’t have a dad. My Big Brother always listens to me and helps me out.”

“I would never have been able to succeed in life, school, and my career without the support of someone older, wiser, and more experienced than myself. I rose on the shoulders of others, and now I want to give a young person that same kind of boost.”

“I’ll always love my Big Sister because she’s been there through thick and thin. I’m proud to call her my sister and my friend.”

“I miss my mom so much since she died. I love my dad, but I feel so lucky having a Big Sister to talk to.”