It’s not every day a 10 year old gets to be interviewed on TV, and Zion’s voice gave away his excitement. I was calling to prepare him for Monday morning’s interview on Good Day Alabama about the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and he greeted me with a cheerful tone and impeccable politeness. We talked about what he likes to do for fun (“go to Chuck E. Cheese”) and what he wants to be when he grows up (“a doctor”), but mostly we chatted about what type of mentor he would like to have in his life.
“I want a Big because he can help me with my homework, and we can have fun,” he said. “I want one that knows how to cook and can teach me about sports.” Zion’s broad range of interests also includes cars and math. His mother, Adrienne, says Zion is bright, inquisitive, and curious.
“He looks to me as a role model,” Adrienne said. She speaks with the same warmth and politeness as Zion. “It would be nice for him to have a male role model to pattern himself after. I can instill my values, but he needs that male role model to teach him things I can’t teach him.”
Zion has been waiting for a mentor for 6 months now, and he is looking forward to one day being matched. He emphasizes the small moments he would like to have with his Big – a day at the park or eating ice cream, but his mother focuses on Zion’s bigger picture. “He will have a more promising future with a mentor.”
Zion is one of almost 300 children in the Birmingham area that are waiting to be matched with a mentor from Big Brothers Big Sisters. To learn more about becoming a mentor, visit http://www.bbbsbhm.org/ or call (205) 939-5590.
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