The Carr Brothers - Ep 105 "Building Bonds: Inside the World of Big Brothers Big Sisters"

In a lively episode of Carr Brothers, hosts Jody and Jeff Carr welcomed special guests John Foley and his little brother, Brody, to shed light on the inspiring work of Big Brothers Big Sisters. John, a retired individual who found himself drawn to the organization's mission, shared his journey: "I applied to be a big brother, and I was matched with Brody... I've been with Brody for three years." Their connection transcends mere mentorship, with Brody describing their bond as akin to family: "It almost feels like a dad or a real big brother."

John delved into the organization's core mission, explaining, "Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring organization... We provide mentors to children and youth who may need some extra help, some extra positive adult influence in their life." With over 50 children currently on the waiting list in the Fredericton area alone, the need for mentors is urgent. However, John emphasized that being a mentor doesn't require financial investment: "We try to not always talk politics... We want to be able to promote the positives in our community."

As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters extends far beyond individual matches. John highlighted the lifelong connections forged through the program: "We always have people coming up and saying, 'I was a big brother, I was a little brother.' It's amazing how many people in the community have gone through this."

With events like Bowl for Kids and the ongoing recruitment of mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters continues to thrive in Fredericton. As John aptly put it, "It's all about having fun and getting out and doing things... There's always some confusion about who is doing what, and everybody's doing great work. It's just that it's important to understand for parents, depending on their needs, who they can go to and who they should go to to talk to."

In Fredericton and beyond, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains a beacon of hope, fostering connections that last a lifetime.