Big Brothers Big Sisters Names 2026 Mentoring Pairs of the Year

The honorees include Jaleesa and her Little, Jaime, from the Central Indiana chapter. Their bond formed following the traumatic loss of Jaime’s father, evolving into a deep sisterhood that provided the stability Jaime needed to excel academically. Currently, Jaime is preparing to attend Indiana University to study astronomy and accounting, with long-term goals of becoming an astronaut. For Jaleesa, the mentorship was a way to pay forward the support she received during her own childhood, serving as a reliable anchor for Jaime’s development.

From the Bay Area, Matt and Sterling were recognized for a decade-long friendship that began when Sterling was only eight. Shortly after they were matched, Sterling faced a leukemia diagnosis, and Matt became a steady presence throughout his hospitalizations and recovery. The bond proved reciprocal when Sterling later supported Matt during his own brain surgery. According to Artis Stevens, President and CEO of BBBSA, these stories reflect the organization's core mission: the impact of a single adult showing up with unwavering commitment to empower a young person's future.