Aaron Hark on the Power of One-to-One Relationships with BBBS
Aaron Hark, former BBBS Board Chair and board member, and long-time supporter, generously shares his time and experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge:
Picture of Hark family
I’m a big believer in the power of one-to-one relationships. Thinking briefly about my own life, so much of my personal and professional growth has derived directly from those who were kind enough to give me the gift of their time. They taught me life skills that don’t come from a classroom. They offered business or professional guidance from their own experience. They helped me process challenging moments, and were by my side at times of celebration. Simply writing this reminds me how different my life would be today without each of them.
It was hearing similar reflections offered many years ago at a BBBS breakfast that first drew me to become involved with this agency. We are fortunate to have many great organizations in the Charlottesville area making a positive difference in the lives of our community’s youth. What sets BBBS apart, at least from where I sit as a former member of the board, is its focus on facilitating those individual mentoring relationships. Finding the right match between a Big and a Little is not a trivial task. When done right, the growth happens on both sides and the bonds are often lifelong. The BBBS team is all-in. They work throughout the year to initiate these matches, and to foster a safe environment of activities and opportunities for them to flourish.
If you are looking for ways to invest your time and/or resources in our community, I strongly encourage you to consider involvement with BBBS. Unlocking the potential of our community’s youth begins with being there for them, and this agency, under Molly’s leadership, is doing that in a remarkably cost efficient and effective way.
