Big of the Year: Morgan & Mike East
Exclusive Q&A:
Q. When were you matched with your little?
A. March 2020
Q. Tell us a little of you and your match’s story.
A. Mike and I decided to volunteer with BBBSL at the end of 2019. Since we were doing it as a couple, we were matched with Dominic since there were so many boys on the waitlist. Our match started in March of 2020 so we had to get creative with how to connect with Dominic. He suggested that we play online video games which ended up being a great way to get to know one another. We were able to build trust and let him teach us a new skill. As the pandemic evolved, we spent our time outdoors going to the beach, going to different state parks, and throwing the football. In our first outing with Dominic, we learned that he has a sarcastic sense of humor and quick wit so we all got along really well.
Q. Can you share a moment when you noticed significant growth or progress in yourself and/or
your match?
A. For the first 3 or 4 years he was very dependent on us for social activities and friendship, but once he started high school, we noticed he became more independent and starting hanging out with others his own age and pulling back from us. He is more confident in social settings and speaking to strangers. We saw this as a sign of maturity and we were happy to see this change in him.
Q. What do you think has made your match successful?
A. Dominic is a wonderful kid with a laid-back personality. He generally stays out of trouble and benefits greatly from his grandfather’s support. We strive to guide and support him while fostering a relationship built on trust rather than authority, so he feels comfortable coming to us with any challenges he may face.
Q. Are there any specific achievements or moments in your match you are especially proud of?
A. We took him to his first NBA game last spring to see the Golden State Warriors play in Charlotte. It was amazing to see him so engrossed in the game and show interest in something outside of video games. He is a human encyclopedia of knowledge about the different players and teams in the NBA and could give the sports analysts a run for their money.
We also introduced him to rock climbing a couple of years ago which has sparked a competitiveness within himself. He has a fear of heights, so we have gone back to the same climbing wall a few times, and each time, he climbs a little higher. It is nice that he trusts us to do something that scares him so much and is willing to step outside of his comfort zone.