Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida

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Match, Community Leader & Featured Partner Spotlights

Rod & Eric

Eric and Rod celebrate 10 years of friendship.  To many of the youth we serve, 10 years is a lifetime. But to one match at Big Brothers Big Sisters, it is the beginning of a lifetime. It’s been ten years since Eric and Rod met for the first time. Rod was seven years old when matched with his Big Brother Eric. Rod is now seventeen and his relationship with his Big is still going strong. Throughout the years Eric has witnessed Rod grow both physically and emotionally. From being shy around strangers and his answers being one word at most, Rod has grown both in stature and in poise. Eric stated proudly that Rod has developed confidence, and a great speaking voice. Eric has helped him apply for jobs, has taught him how to drive, to cook and together they have attended UF football and basketball games.  Now, at 17, Eric says that Rod is bigger than him. “I like it that he doesn’t hurt me when we play touch football and he’s always willing to get together. He adds, “I really liked to see the energy and joy he exhibits when we do things that he has always wanted to do but was never able to do”. Eric has been a part of many milestones in Rod’s life and is always there to encourage him to stay in school, play sports, and think about the future. He is both wonderful and a blessing.”  Rod’s mother, Linda has stated that she couldn’t ask for a better Big Brother.  We are proud to celebrate Eric and Rod and all the matches celebrating their anniversary this month.

Volunteering just a few hours a month with a child can start something amazing. So why not apply to be a Big today. There are kids out there ready to get started. Are you?

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Natalia and Zeimyra

Natalia and Zeimyra have been matched with Big Brothers Big Sisters since August of 2010. For little over a year Natalia and Zeimyra have been spending time together, getting to know each other, and growing as people. Natalia had nothing but good things to say about her little, Zeimyra. “She’s GREAT,” Natalia exclaimed when asked about her little. One of Natalia’s favorite memories of spending time with her little was during her trip to a trail in Gainesville. Natalia had brought her camera and Zeimyra just had a blast taking pictures and posing. She also had great things to say about Zeimyra’s mother who she described as “AMAZING,” she is always there for her daughter. Zeimyra’s mother, Yaravi, feels just as great about Natalia. “I love her to death,” Yaravi stated. Natalia couldn’t be happier about her match. Natalia initially joined Big Brothers Big Sisters with hopes of making an impact on someone’s life and that’s exactly what happened, except at times her little was not the only one who reaped the benefits of being a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “You get as much out of it as you give,” says Natalia. This is something she wanted other Bigs to realize, Big Brothers Big Sisters is what you make of it. You learn so much about yourself as a Big. Having a Big Sister has had a major impact on Zeimyra as well. “Having a Big Sister is like having a best friend who is very helpful and always there,” Zeimyra stated. “I played guitar in the school band and it met so much to me that my Big Sister was there,” Zeimyra added. They also enjoy doing various activities with each other, including going to the movies, pottery, going to the springs and they also have cooked together. Yaravi can tell that her daughter truly enjoys being with Natalia. Yaravi says that Zeimrya loves Natalia and gets excited whenever Natalia calls or text her to make plans.  Yaravi also adds that Natalia is a part of her family and that she loves her as if she was her daughter.

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Jennifer Tragash

Jennifer Tragash is being recognized for her dedication to the Gainesville community. She has worked for over 30 years to promote positive outcomes for children and families in our community. Born in Gainesville, Florida, Jennifer earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Florida and holds a Florida teaching certificate in Specific Learning Disabilities K-12. She has a broad range of teaching, multi-disciplinary assessment, resource development, and consultative experience in early childhood through post-secondary teacher and parent education.

Currently Ms. Tragash serves as the Director of The Mentor Center. She states, “The mission of The Mentor Center is to support local mentoring organizations, programs and initiatives in order to strengthen and expand mentoring opportunities for the citizens of Alachua County.  Our vision is that every child, young adult, parent, and/or business entrepreneur in our community who needs and wants a mentor will be suitably matched with one.” Prior to joining the Mentor Center, Jennifer was the United Way of North Central Florida Director of Impact and Initiatives where she worked with a broad array of non-profits in the education, health, and social service sector. She worked for over 20 years as a Program Director of the University of Gainesville Reads program and the University of Florida Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Training program (MDTP). Jennifer has served as a mentor and life coach for more than 20 children and young adults. She asserts, “I am convinced that through intergenerational mentoring we can positively impact the world”.

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