Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City (BBBS-KC) recently announced that Sandra Rayford, a Kansas City Big Sister, has been selected as the 2013 National Big Sister of the Year! This marks the first time that a Kansas City Big Brother or Big Sister has been chosen for the national award.
The Big of the Year award was established to recognize mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program whose contribution of time, service and support go above and beyond in transforming the life of a child. Every year, BBBS agencies from across the country nominate a Big Brother or Big Sister and each state’s advisory board then chooses a winner. The state winners then become eligible to receive the national designation of Big Brother or Big Sister of the Year from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
In March, BBBS-KC announced that Sandra had won the Missouri state competition for Big Sister of the Year and at the beginning of April, received the news that Sandra had actually won the national award as well.
The national “Bigs” of the year are typically invited to the White House to meet the President as well as asked to participate in national news media interview. Rayford and her little sister Sena’ will share their story at the national conference in Denver, CO June 25-27.
Rayford was matched with Sena’ in 2003 when Sena’ was eight years old. Sena’ was living with her father and her mother was not involved in her life. Her father enrolled her in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to give her a positive, female role model in her life. Now, 10 years later, Sena’ is a senior in high school and is looking forward to attending college with the goal of one day becoming an engineer.
“I had a rough childhood,” said Sena’. “She was there. I had lonely days. She was there. I was bored. She was there. I had questions that I felt nobody but her would understand. She was there. Not only was she there then but she is still there now. I was once shy. She has brought me out of that shell. Now I shine bright! I will live up to my potential. At one point in time I did not have such confidence and pride in myself, but now I see her and know I can be just like her someday.”
“This honor is one that is well deserved,” says Michael Lawrence, CEO of BBBS-KC. “Over the past 10 years, Sandra has created a friendship with Sena’ that has proven to be life-changing for the both of them. It’s hard to say where Sena’ would be now without Sandra in her life, but what’s certain is that Sena’ is a young woman that is going to make a difference and be a leader in her community. Sandra has proven to be one of our organization’s biggest advocates, speaking on our behalf at United Way rallies, company volunteer fairs and other BBBS-KC events. She is also an active part of our Diversity Task Force that works to recruit diverse mentors.”
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is one of the most admired nonprofit organizations in the country, having literally helped millions of at-risk children change the course of their lives for the better through one-to-one professional mentoring. Children with “Bigs” are proven to receive better grades, have improved family relationships, have improved self esteem and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.
BBBS of Greater Kansas City (BBBSKC) is one of the most successful of the organization’s 400 affiliates—matching more than 1,600 children with adult volunteers in 2012 alone. In 2012, BBBS-KC was recognized as Agency of the Year, Board of the Year and was honored with the Gold Standard and Pinnacle awards. BBBS-KC is the fastest-growing affiliate in the country—while not compromising on the quality of its services.