Real Life Success Stories

"Of all the joys of childhood the nicest ever known is to have a Big Brother or Big Sister to call your very own"

Real Life Stories

Matt Lauer/Todd Kulaga After his father died, ten-year-old Todd Kulaga of Pawtucket, R.I. kept his love of sports alive when he met fellow sports fan and Big Brother Matt Lauer.

Jim Diesing/David Moreno
By challenging himself to give, Big Brother Jim Diesing turned David Moreno's life around. David and Jim were recognized during the President's State of the Union address on January 20, 2004.

Kurt Inderbitzin/Brian Lopez (Arby’s Scholarship Winner)
Big Brother Kurt Inderbitzin helped Little Brother Brian Lopez realize his potential, which enabled him to become the first person in his family to go to college.

Beth Barrett/Karen Hays
Karen Hays, a legally blind eight-year-old, found the perfect role model – Big Sister Beth Barrett, who had overcome her own disabilities.

Steve West/Lt. Anthony Carter
Anthony Carter followed the lead of his Big Brother Steve West and went on to improve the lives of others. He is now a lieutenant in the police force and a sports coach for youths.

Patricia Wolf/Ruth Ponce
Ruth Ponce went to college because Big Sister Patricia Wolf expected her to. She is now a sophomore at Cal State-Northridge University.

 Terry Cusack/Ben Nowland
Big Brother Terry Cusack encouraged Ben Nowland to pursue his love of sports, especially football.  Ben followed Terry’s advice and was offered a full athletic scholarship to the University of Auburn.

Jim Kelly/Pat Rickert
The lives of Big Brother Jim Kelly and Little Brother Pat Rickert have remained intertwined for 58 years. Big Brother Jim was the best man at Pat’s wedding and is the godfather to Pat’s first son.

H. Ken Hamill/Kenneth S. Saladin
Big Brother Ken Hamil inspired Little Brother Kenneth Saladin’s love of science, which continued through college and a doctorate program; he is now a Distinguished Professor of Biology at Georgia College and State University.

“The fact that Matt took the time is still amazing to me. He was a local celebrity, someone who had everything in the world going for him, and that meant he didn’t have to spend time with a kid like me. But he did!” Todd Kulaga

Matt Lauer/Todd Kulaga Who does a young man share his love of sports with when his father passes away?  Ten-year-old Todd Kulaga of Pawtucket, R.I., found someone to share with when he met fellow sports fan and Big Brother Matt Lauer.When Todd Kulaga’s father passed away, the seven-year-old longed for someone to share his sports passion.  While his mom and sister provided him with a loving, warm home, his mother realized that a strong male role model might make all the difference.  She contacted the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and soon her son was matched with a local TV celebrity, 23-year old Matt Lauer, now the host of NBC-TV’s “Today Show.” Matt co-hosted a daily TV show in Providence called “PM Magazine,” but his true passion was the world of sports.  Matt took Todd out for ice cream during their first outing and the two became fast friends.  Weekly visits for the next three years included ballgames and trips to the “PM Magazine” set, but Todd’s most vivid memory was when, at the request of Todd’s mother, Matt tried to teach him about “the birds and the bees.”  “I think he was more uncomfortable than I was,” Todd recalls.When Matt’s career led him to Boston and beyond, the two lost touch.  Recently, the “Today Show” held a special reunion show that brought together important people in the cast members’ lives.  Matt’s surprise guest was Todd, whose 6’2” 240-pound body builder’s frame towered over Matt.  Having last spoken on the phone six years earlier, the face-to-face reunion held special meaning for both Matt and Todd.

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With Jim as his Big Brother, David became a different person - one who was recognized for his accomplishments on his January 20th birthday during the President's State of the Union address!

Jim Diesing/David Moreno In 1998, Josefina Moreno, a native of Ecuador who had immigrated to Minneapolis in 1990 and spoke no English, was worried about her only son, David. A painful family break-up had left the seven-year-old withdrawn, lonely and performing poorly in school.That same year, Jim Diesing was pondering his future. Jim had a good job at Best Buy, financial stability and friends who cared about him, yet he still wasn't satisfied. He discussed it with one of his colleagues who presented him with a unique challenge."He told me I needed to get involved; give of myself, without asking anything in return," Jim said. "I thought that was a good idea, but told him I was busy and didn't have enough time." Jim will never forget his friend's response: "time is your excuse," he said, "but selfishness is your reason."That challenge inspired Jim to act. Jim came from a broken home and wanted to give a child what he didn't have. Years ago, he had a Little Brother who he still keeps in touch with, so Big Brothers Big Sisters seemed again like the logical choice.With Jim as his Big Brother, David became a different person - one who was recognized for his accomplishments on his January 20th birthday during the President's State of the Union address! Now 13, David's a self-assured and self-possessed young man, bubbly and effervescent whether expressing himself in English or Spanish. He has lots of friends and is also an honors student who takes advanced math, has a black belt in karate and even finds time to play the piano."I couldn't be prouder of him!" - Jim Diesing

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“Kurt showed me the value of moving outside of my own boundaries.  He’s helped me learn to believe in myself.”  Brian Lopez

Kurt Inderbitzin/Brian Lopez - 2003 Arby’s Scholarship Winner How does a kid go from painfully shy to enthusiastically adventurous?  Brian Lopez experienced this transformation thanks to the support and friendship of his Big Brother. Growing up in a tough Los Angeles neighborhood with a single parent, Brian didn’t have the benefits of a strong male role model.  Although his mother was an immigrant unfamiliar with America, she knew that Brian needed help to succeed in life.  She placed a phone call to Big Brothers Big Sisters and opened a whole new future for her son.Before Brian met his Big Brother, Kurt Inderbitzin, he was excruciatingly shy and reticent to try anything new, even a different flavor of ice cream.  Shortly after Brian’s seventh birthday, Kurt, an adventurous extrovert with a powerfully positive attitude, came into his life.  Kurt encouraged Brian to test his mettle, and soon the young man was riding roller coasters, skiing slopes and yes, even deviating from his usual vanilla and trying new ice-cream flavors, like rocky road!Most importantly, Kurt helped Brian gain confidence in his intelligence and build his self- esteem.  Before long, Brian entered academic competitions and excelled.  He earned a scholarship to Harvard-Westlake High School, a prestigious school in the Los Angeles area.  In the spring of 2003, Brian was accepted to Swathmore College and received a $20,000 Arby’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship award.  This scholarship, along with Brian’s financial aid package, will pay for Brian’s four-year college education in full, making Brian the first person in his family to go to college.

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H. Ken Hamill/Kenneth S. Saladin How does a classic “loner” become an active and productive member of society?  Latchkey child Kenneth Saladin, a frustrated, isolated kid who constantly got into trouble, found a new direction for his life thanks to his Big Brother Ken.  Kenneth was in desperate need of adult guidance and supervision, and Ken quickly recognized this need for a “rudder” to steer him in the right direction.Ken volunteered to be a Big Brother after suffering a stroke that left his left arm and leg partially paralyzed.  While he hesitated about taking on a small boy whose interests did not match his own -- science vs. sports – the staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters encouraged Ken to take a chance. He did and soon the two became close friends.Ken gave Kenneth a subscription to Science Newsletter, a weekly science magazine, which furthered Kenneth’s interest in science.  With Ken’s guidance and encouragement, Kenneth won first prize in his science fair two years in a row and was awarded fourth prize in the International Science Fair in Dallas!  Ken encouraged Kenneth to attend college – a first in Ken’s family.  Kenneth’s love of science continued through college and a doctorate program; he is now a Distinguished Professor of Biology at Georgia College and State University. Due to the profound impact Ken and Big Brothers Big Sisters had on Kenneth’s life, Kenneth has been an active member of the BBBSA community for 23 years.  Ken and Kenneth remained friends for 33 years until Ken’s death in 1996.

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Jim Kelly/Pat Rickert How does a “rough and tumble” kid go from bar halls and poolrooms to cookouts and charades?  Pat Rickert, world-wise at the tender age of 7, regained some of the fun of childhood thanks to his relationship with Big Brother Jim Kelly.Pat grew up in one of the toughest parts of Minneapolis, where bar halls, poolrooms and cigarette smoke framed his childhood, making it “rife with temptation and trouble.”  When 25-year old Jim Kelly was matched with Pat through Big Brothers Big Sisters, the young man found a new world of everyday normalcy.Pat and Jim quickly became part of each other’s family, doing “just about anything Pat wanted to do.”  Mostly, however, they spent a lot of time talking.  They talked to each other about everything: life, religion, family, goals and the “right” things to do in life.  One of Pat’s fondest memories was a gathering at Jim’s home, a steak fry and game of charades for Pat and his friends.  This simple act of kindness allowed Pat to enjoy the fun of being a kid, a sharp contrast to bar halls and poolrooms.  To this day, Pat and his friends share stories of that game of charades.For the past 58 years, Jim and Pat’s lives have remained intertwined -- Jim was the best man at Pat’s wedding and Jim and his wife, Lorraine, were godparents to the Pat’s first son, Michael Kelly.  They have both remained deeply involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters -- Jim served as a board member for 46 years and Pat served for 23 years.

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“I want to teach my kids to play hard, to fight fair, to make the most out of the talent they were given and to have fun -- all the things Steve me when he was my Big Brother.”  Lt. Anthony Carter withdaughter, Hailee

Steve West/Anthony CarterHow does a boy without a father become a father figure to others?  Anthony Carter followed the lead of his Big Brother Steve West and went on to improve the lives of others.Anthony grew up in a racially segregated community; it wasn’t easy for him.  Growing up without a father was even tougher.  At the age of nine, Anthony’s mother knew that he was in dire need of a strong male role model and wrote to Big Brothers Big Sisters for help.  Big Brother Steve West stepped into the picture and Anthony’s life took a new turn.The two spent a great deal of time together -- playing basketball, reading books and talking about everything -- Anthony’s dreams, his education and most importantly, how to treat people, regardless of their race, creed or color. Steve also introduced Anthony to new experiences like camping and swimming, for which he developed a true passion.  Today, Anthony himself is a powerful role model for others.  He is a Police lieutenant and a sports coach for youths.  

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“I don’t think I would have gone to college without Patricia – she expected it of me” Ruth Ponce with Big Sister, Patricia Wolf

Ruth Ponce and Patricia WolfHow does a frustrated young troublemaker find understanding and acceptance?  Ruth, a headstrong 14-year-old girl growing up in Los Angeles, took the advice of a school counselor and found trust in Big Sister Patricia Wolf.Growing up, Ruth desperately wanted to be understood.  She routinely acted out her frustrations by getting into fights and starting trouble.  When a school counselor suggested that she look into the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, she tricked her mom into signing the release form for the program, pretending it was for school counseling services.  When Ruth was paired with Patricia Wolf, an actress, writer and legal secretary, she confessed how she misled her mom to allow her to participate in the program.  With her mom’s blessing, Ruth embarked on a meaningful friendship with Big Sister Patricia.The two hit it off immediately.  They spent their first day eating shrimp on the Santa Monica Pier and getting acquainted.  Over lunch, they discovered many common interests and goals.  Patricia really listened when Ruth shared her deepest thoughts and feelings, and at last, Ruth had found someone who understood her.Ruth and Patricia’s friendship deepened over the years and Patricia encouraged Ruth to attend college. Today, Ruth is a 20-year-old sophomore at Cal State-Northridge University.

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Terry Cusack/Ben Nowland How does a child who loses his father work through his grief to become a strong man?  Ben Nowland, who lost his father at the age of nine, became friends with Terry Cusack through Big Brothers Big Sisters and learned to enjoy life again.When Ben Nowland’s father died in an accident, the nine-year old was devastated.  Unable to work through his feelings, he became sullen and withdrawn.  Ben’s mother worked long hours to support her family, leaving Ben to spend most of his time alone. His mother knew that he needed a strong male influence and signed him up for the Big Brothers program.Terry Cusack was just what Ben needed – a funny, warm, “go-getter” whom people liked.  An extrovert, Terry helped Ben to shed his shyness, try new activities and learn to enjoy life again.While Terry had to leave Florida for a job transfer early in their relationship, their friendship endured and they remained in close contact as Ben entered high school.  Terry encouraged Ben to pursue his love of sports, especially football.  Ben followed Terry’s advice and was offered a full athletic scholarship at the University of Auburn.Terry recalls one of his fondest memories -- when Ben gave him a prized possession, his commemorative ring from the 2000 Tigers SEC-West title win and Citrus Bowl.  Inside the ring was a heartfelt note of thanks, with the words, “I love you, Ben.”

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Beth and Karen learned to adopt their special needs to each other, becoming sisters in every sense of the word and forming a tight bond that would last over 14 years.

Beth Barrett/Karen Hays How does a young girl whose life is filled with physical limitations conquer her fears and embrace life?  Karen Hays, a legally blind eight-year-old, did so by finding the perfect role model, a Big Sister who had overcome her own disabilities.Karen not only faced the challenge of her own blindness growing up, she also dealt with limitations among her family members.  Karen’s two older sisters and mother are blind and her father suffers from cerebral palsy.  Karen became increasingly shy and often heard that she was “stupid” and wouldn’t amount to anything. Frustrated and sad, her life was filled with physical limitations.All this would change when Beth Barrett, an outgoing, successful trial lawyer, became Karen’s Big Sister.  Due to a nerve disease in her legs, Beth used crutches or a wheelchair to get around.  Beth and Karen learned to adapt their special needs to help each other. In the beginning, Beth said, she extracted a promise from Karen that she would always keep a hand on Beth’s wheelchair when they were out together. That way, if there was a problem, they could work it out together. They did, becoming sisters in every sense of the word and forming a tight bond that would last over 14 years. Beth and Karen did everything that sisters do together — they explored the world of music, attending concerts ranging from classical to jazz and rock.  They ate at ethnic restaurants, visited museums and zoos, and even embarked on rock-hunting expeditions! Gradually, Karen’s beautiful personality and self-confidence emerged.  Beth always encouraged Karen to excel in school and to follow her dreams.  In 2004, Karen will graduate from college and Beth will be in the audience cheering her on!

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