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March 2025
Hello Friend!
My Little Sister asked me during a recent visit at her school, “How old are you?”
I told her to guess. Which by the way you shouldn’t do unless you are prepared for the unknown.
“50?”
I smiled. “More.”
“40?”
“No.”
She thought hard and then said, “39.”
For a split second, I wanted to say, Yes! That’s right! But I told her the truth—“I’m 61.”
Her eyes widened in shock. Then, very slowly, as if realizing something quite unbelievable, she said, “You are almost 100.”
I have never considered myself almost 100. But when I do the math, I suppose I am as close to 100 as I am to her age. In her world, that makes perfect sense. In my world, it was a bit hard to swallow.
It made me reflect on how our perspectives shift over time, shaped by experience and exposure. When I was 10, I probably thought the same way about someone in their 60s. We see the world through the lens of what we know, until life broadens that view.
I remember the first time I saw someone wearing a hijab. It was unfamiliar to me, and I was curious but unsure whether I should look or ask questions. Now, seeing a woman in a hijab is an everyday reality. It’s simply part of the beautiful tapestry of our community, our program, and our world. What was once unfamiliar has become an ordinary and enriching part of my life.
This isn’t just about culture or clothing—it’s about how we grow when we meet people with different experiences than our own. What we don’t know can seem unfamiliar at first, but when we open our hearts and minds, our world expands.
That’s the essence of Big Brothers Big Sisters. It’s about connection. It’s about relationships that transcend differences—whether it’s age, background, or life experience. Every time we step outside of what we know, we give ourselves the opportunity to learn, to understand, and to embrace a richer, fuller life. There is great richness to having someone in your life very unlike you. I believe that we bridge different worlds together and that is where we grow and learn and love. Our Bigs and Littles and their families are very brave to welcome someone they don’t know, into their lives.
So, no—I don’t feel almost 100. But I do feel lucky. Lucky to have experiences that have widened my world. Lucky to have a Little Sister who challenges my thinking. And lucky to be part of a network that believes in the power of relationships to change lives.
Maybe if we all saw the world through the eyes of a child—full of curiosity —we’d discover just how much we have to gain from each other.
PS - Please remind me never to ask my Little Sister to guess my weight.
With hope and gratitude,
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET RACHEL, YANG & JOURNEY!
A few years ago, Rachel Schuneman and Yang Koua Lo knew they wanted to give back to their community by supporting a local child, but they weren’t sure what would work best. They are both doctors at CentraCare with busy schedules, and wanted to be sure they had enough time to be a part of a child’s life.
When Rachel heard a radio ad for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, she knew that would be the perfect option. She was matched with Journi in April 2022, and after a year of watching Rachel and Journi having fun together baking, talking, and just hanging out, Yang decided to join in on the fun. Rachel and Yang became a Big Duo, and have been matched together with Journi for more than a year. Now, Rachel and Yang are the 2025 Central Minnesota Big Duo of the Year.
“Being a duo means being able to get involved with Journi,” Yang said. “Seeing Journi and Rachel get along and having met her, I was just enthralled with her personality. I get the joy of watching her grow into a young woman.”
Journi entered into Rachel and Yang’s life when she was nine years old. They immediately started working with Journi’s mom, Esther, to make sure that Journi was doing well in school, and giving her the support she needed when she was struggling. Esther said Yang and Rachel are always there to help with extra books, research, or support when Journi is having a hard time with a certain subject or situation in class.
Rachel and Yang have also helped Journi feel more confident by exposing her to new experiences and situations. The trio loves to fish. Journi wasn’t sure at first, but now they attend the Fishing with Muskies Inc. event every year, and Journi even won an award for most fish caught at the event. Yang showed her how to play pickleball, which she has come to enjoy, and they all love cooking together and going out to eat to try new foods. Rachel and Journi even had the opportunity to meet Marc Heu, a French-Hmong pastry chef in St. Paul.
Watch Rachel, Yang, and Journey's video to learn more about their match!
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THANK YOU GRANITE PARTNERS!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to Granite Partners! Granite Partners plays an instrumental role in our BIG Partners initiative - which welcomed its second cohort of mentors and mentees this fall - and they are also a sponsor of our 2025 Big Auction! Their support of our online auction, which is coming up April 4-11, means that all of the money raised stays with our agency to support more matches and kids around Central Minnesota. The Big Auction website will be live to preview on Friday, March 21, so register today and stay tuned to see all of the amazing items you have the opportunity to bid on!
We are grateful to all our Community Partners. Check out these lists, and the next time you are at that business or organization, please thank them for standing with kids!
BBBS of Central Minnesota is always looking for businesses to host or sponsor match activities. If you or your business are willing to sponsor or host a match activity, contact Kristin Hannon at 320-258-4515 or Kristin@BigDefenders.org.
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EXPLORING THE SCIENCES
A variety of matches had the opportunity to learn more about various health fields thanks to staff and students at St. Cloud Technical and Community College! First, the SCTCC Bigs on Campus matches got to explore the cardiovascular program and make their very own blood slime! The slime helped them understand more about the heart and why heart health is so important. Later that same evening, community based matches were able to tour the nursing and dental programs to learn more about potential careers. They practiced applying bandages to large wounds, listened to different types of breathing with a stethoscope on a 'breathing' mannequin, and learned how to seal a cracked tooth with a blue light and a demonstration tooth. Both tours were very engaging and informative, and helpful for some of our Littles looking at what life after high school looks like!
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BBBS BASKETBALL NIGHT IN PIERZ
The Pierz girls' basketball team celebrated Big Brothers Big Sisters Night to wrap up January, and there were big smiles on and off the court from both our mentors and mentees! The Bigs and Littles were recognized during the game, and Littles had the opportunity to take pictures with their Bigs and interact after the game. This is always a special night for both the Bigs and the Littles, and we appreciate the Pierz coaches taking time to recognize the work the mentors do for kids in the district!
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BEERANTHROPY FOR BBBS
Join Pantown Brewing, Jules Bistro, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota for an afternoon and evening of fun - and helping kids! From 3-10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, head to Pantown Brewing in St. Cloud to help raise money to support mentor/mentee matches. Pantown is donating 25 percent of all sales and 100 percent of tips to BBBS, and there will also be: games with prizes, 50/50 raffle, food from Jules with a donation, live music, the chance to be the event DJ, and more! Contact Kristin Hannon for more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
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BUY COFFEE, SUPPORT BBBS
Kinder Coffee and BBBS are teaming up to support local kids! With every purchase of a bag of special edition single-origin coffee, Kinder is donating $7 back to the agency to help recruit more mentors and support more kids. They offer light, medium and dark roast as well as decaf as whole bean or ground coffee. Each bag is $20, and you can subscribe to get bags sent to you at regular intervals so you never run out. Check out all of the options and details here. Thank you to Kinder for this partnership!
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IT'S AUCTION & RAFFLE TIME!
With the new year comes another opportunity to win big and bid on great items with the 2025 Big Auction and Big Raffle! Raffle tickets are on sale now at the BBBS office; stop by or call 320-253-1616 to purchase yours today. Tickets are $10 each for a chance at 10 cash prizes; the winner will be drawn on Friday, April 4. The 2025 Big Auction is online April 4-11, so mark your calendar and be sure you're registered to bid! The site will be live to preview Friday, March 21, so stay tuned! BIG thanks to Advantage 1 Insurance for sponsoring the 2025 raffle and Granite Partners for sponsoring our 2025 Big Auction! Register to bid here.
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BBBS SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN NOW
Applications for Fall 2025 for three scholarships are open now. The Federated Challenge Scholarship, BriAnna Kruzel Memorial Scholarship, and Dahlias Alongside Grand Lake Scholarship are available to current and former Littles and High School Bigs who were a part of the agency for at least 18 months. The deadline to apply for all three scholarships is Sunday, March 23, 2025, and the winners will be notified in April 2025. Scholarship criteria, eligibility, and links to apply for all three are available available here.
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BE BIG IN THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!
Have you ever thought about being a Big? Do you know someone who would be a great Big? BBBS of Central Minnesota is looking for mentors to be a part of the both the Bigs on Campus initiative and at all six of our school-based locations. Bigs on Campus mentors meet with their mentees twice a month for an hour at a time at St. Cloud State, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, or College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus. School-based matched meet once a week for 30 minutes at the Little's school in St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Pierz, Holdingford, or Foley. Click here for more information or to become a Big!
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Khaldoun Ahmad, Daine Billmark, Jenna Binsfeld, Patty Funk (Secretary), Melinda Gau, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Preston Kopel, Jake Krippner, Courtney Kunkel (Treasurer), Bill Martin-Chaffee (DEI Officer), Lori Mohs, Mardi Noyes, Emmanuel Oppong, Chris Owen, Curran Poganski, Jason Primus, Rick Roehl (Vice Pres.), Alex Schoephoerster (President), and Christie Schulte. | |
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Barb Anderson, Mimi Bitzan, Mark Coborn, Joe Francis, Keith Julson, Lori Kloos, Andy Knoblauch,
Shelly Bauerly Kopel, John Mahowald, Mike Markman, Gary Marsden, Vince Mohs,
Kurt Scepaniak, Joyce Schlough, John Schnettler, Peter Spaniol, Eric Stalboerger, Perian Stavrum,
Mark Traut, Joan Vincent, Bob Walter, Don Watkins, and Vicky Welty.
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