Big Sister Kristen with Little Wild — Photo courtesy of Kristen Erekson

This winter, Somerville resident and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) volunteer mentor, Kristen Erekson, is celebrating her 19 years of cumulative mentorship in a BIG way. Erekson, a long time Big Sister and BBBSEM Board of Advisor member, is holding a 19-day donation challenge from December 13 through December 31 in which she will match up to $19,000 in financial contributions to support BBBSEM’s year-round one-to-one youth mentoring programs.

Erekson was matched with her first mentee, or “Little Sister”, Wild, in 2007. Over the last 17 years, the mentoring duo have grown together as they have navigated the successes and challenges of family, school, friendships, and career together. Despite being hundreds of miles apart, Erekson and Wild remain important parts of each other’s lives. Most recently, they have reconnected over vegan deep-dish pizza while Erekson visited Chicago. “After 17 years, Wild is my family and I feel such a strong sense of home when I visit her in Chicago,” says Erekson.

This year both Wild and Erekson experienced some career changes. “We celebrated ending one professional chapter by going axe throwing. We both got a few bullseyes, which we considered to be a really good omen as we embarked on our next adventure.”

After Wild aged out of the formal BBBS program, Erekson was matched with her current mentee and Little Sister, Joi’elle. The two have been matched for nearly two years and enjoy trying new foods together, visiting animals at the zoo, and testing out new recipes. Last fall, they visited a local corn maze. Joi’elle had never navigated a maze before, and she was a little nervous. With Erekson next to her, she gained the confidence to explore the maze and took the lead plotting their path through the maze.

“I have gotten so much more out of this program than I expected,” says Erekson. “You stay together through thick and thin and support each other during hard times, but also find delight in everyday activities. Since I’m new to Boston, Joi’elle has explored the city with me. And she has exposed me to some new TikTok trends like eating Korean corndogs and making candy coated fruit.”

“What I love about BBBS is that it has given Joi’elle a sense of self-worth and a chance to be a part of a great community. Kristen has given Joi’elle a chance to experience many different things, enabling her to gain a greater sense of self confidence. She’s always so eager to share her experiences with Kristen with her family and friends,” says Keisa Woody, Joi’elle’s mother.

In its 75 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has supported more than 25,000 youth. To donate to Erekson’s fundraising challenge and support BBBSEM’s year-round one-to-one youth mentoring programs, please visit: https://support.emassbigs.org/kristen19kchallenge.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 75 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.