At 10 years old, Donavan had potential to do big things, but the deck was stacked against him. Donavan had friends, a family who cared for him, and a good home, but he was shy, quiet, and lacked a positive male role model, with his father out of the picture. Donavan’s mother Lena knew that her son needed a positive role model to help him reach his potential. She found Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Donavan was soon matched with Tom.

Tom quickly became one of the few people Donavan could trust and look up to in his life. Donavan now had the role model his mother desperately wanted for him. Tom and Donavan bonded over trips to the movies, going out to eat and attending sporting events. Donavan also always expressed an interest in playing sports. While he dabbled in football, and other sports before meeting Tom, with Tom’s encouragement, he tried new sports, like track and field. Tom was also there to help Donavan improve as a football player, spending time focusing on sharpening his skills, which he takes to the gridiron today for Nouvell Catholic Central.

“The sky is the limit, I just need to reach it. With the help and guidance that I received from Tom, I know I can make it happen.”

Over the past seven years, Donavan has grown up in front of Tom’s eyes. Tom recalled their first several meetings together. Donavan was quiet, struggled to make eye contact, or carry on a conversation. Donavan was agreeable, but didn’t have many opinions of his own. As time went on, Tom’s patience and understanding helped Donavan come out of his shell. Today, Tom proudly boasts about how Donavan’s self-esteem has improved. He now engages in conversations with his peers and adults, shakes the hands of new people he meets, and makes eye contact, even with complete strangers. Tom was so impressed with Donavan’s growth that he offered him his very first job, working for his rental company. Donavan still works for Tom today.

Donavan is now a senior at Nouvell, and with the support of Tom, and his mother, he has very big plans for his future. Donavan has already taken the first steps to join the United States Air Force and become a pilot after high school. He also plans to attend college while serving his country. Tom helped Donavan realize that he could aim high with his goals, and that everything worth accomplishing comes as a result of dedication, passion and hard work.

“I feel that Tom has helped me become the man I am today,” Donavan shared. “By seeing how both he and his family are accomplished, it makes me want to work hard, and be focused and driven in life. The sky is the limit, I just need to reach it. With the help and guidance that I received from Tom, I know I can make it happen.”

Tom quickly became one of the few people Donavan could trust and look up to in his life. Donavan now had the role model his mother desperately wanted for him. Tom and Donavan bonded over trips to the movies, going out to eat and attending sporting events. Donavan also always expressed an interest in playing sports. While he dabbled in football, and other sports before meeting Tom, with Tom’s encouragement, he tried new sports, like track and field. Tom was also there to help Donavan improve as a football player, spending time focusing on sharpening his skills, which he takes to the gridiron today for Nouvell Catholic Central.

Over the past seven years, Donavan has grown up in front of Tom’s eyes. Tom recalled their first several meetings together. Donavan was quiet, struggled to make eye contact, or carry on a conversation. Donavan was agreeable, but didn’t have many opinions of his own. As time went on, Tom’s patience and understanding helped Donavan come out of his shell. Today, Tom proudly boasts about how Donavan’s self-esteem has improved. He now engages in conversations with his peers and adults, shakes the hands of new people he meets, and makes eye contact, even with complete strangers. Tom was so impressed with Donavan’s growth that he offered him his very first job, working for his rental company. Donavan still works for Tom today.

“The sky is the limit, I just need to reach it. With the help and guidance that I received from Tom, I know I can make it happen.”

Donavan is now a senior at Nouvell, and with the support of Tom, and his mother, he has very big plans for his future. Donavan has already taken the first steps to join the United States Air Force and become a pilot after high school. He also plans to attend college while serving his country. Tom helped Donavan realize that he could aim high with his goals, and that everything worth accomplishing comes as a result of dedication, passion and hard work.

“I feel that Tom has helped me become the man I am today,” Donavan shared. “By seeing how both he and his family are accomplished, it makes me want to work hard, and be focused and driven in life. The sky is the limit, I just need to reach it. With the help and guidance that I received from Tom, I know I can make it happen.”