The BIG News: January 2026
2025 Oyster Roast: Tickets are LIVE!
Get your tickets now — we’re just days away from the 7th Annual BIG Lowcountry Boil at Holy City Brewing. On Sunday, December 14th, from 11 AM to 3 PM, we’ll gather for an afternoon of delicious Lowcountry boil, craft brews, a vibrant vendor market, over 100 silent auction items, and plenty of games and fun for families and friends.
Celebrating National Mentoring Month
Match Success: Shelbi & Kaitlyn
Brittany wanted Kaitlyn to have a mentor so she could enjoy more engaging activities and spend time outside the house. After joining Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kaitlyn found the perfect match in Shelbi! Over the years, Brittany has seen a positive change in Kaitlyn. “She’s definitely grown! I’ve noticed her attitude has improved. She’s been enjoying the match and gets a lot out of their outings and their time together.” Brittany added that Kaitlyn has become more social and outgoing since being matched. Shelbi continues to nurture an important friendship by creating a safe space, helping Kaitlyn explore her interests, and even assisting with homework when needed. Brittany shared about Kaitlyn, “She loves cheerleading, working with hair, and doing makeup. She’s very into cosmetology,” and is excited to see how her time together with Shelbi will continue to support those passions.
Kaitlyn couldn’t remember why she initially wanted a Big, but she’s thrilled to be matched with Shelbi: “She’s really fun and funny, and she takes me everywhere I want!” LS loves going to interactive places, like her first trip to Urban Air with Shelbi, and proudly calls herself a “foodie.” “I like Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Applebee’s.” Shelbi has also helped Kaitlyn focus on school, guiding math and social studies. One of her favorite memories is shopping for a gift for her mom, where they picked out a cute pink elephant together. She always has a great time with Shelbi and looks forward to future outings and having new experiences together.
With a background in youth development, Shelbi has always valued community service and was drawn to BBBSL after a co-worker mentioned it. She was excited to be matched with Kaitlyn and has enjoyed supporting her growth and confidence. “She’s more confident in trying new things. We are diving into her interests to figure out what she does and doesn’t like, and helping her have different opportunities. She’s been speaking up more and sharing her ideas, and taking more initiative to pick activities,” Shelbi said. She also finds it rewarding to see Kaitlyn care for herself and her family, and she admires Kaitlyn’s resilience and ability to bounce back when things don’t go her way. Shelbi focuses on consistency, kindness, and reliability, creating a safe space for Kaitlyn to explore her feelings. The two enjoy painting, movie days, and trying new restaurants together. “Our favorite restaurant is Sesame Burgers in Park Circle.” They also bond over TikTok, and Kaitlyn keeps Shelbi updated on the latest dances. Recently, Kaitlyn started cheering—a connection to Shelbi’s own childhood. One of Shelbi’s favorite memories is a boba shop outing where they talked about confidence and mantras. Together, they created an affirmation sheet on Canva, which Kaitlyn designed herself and shared with her mom.
Introducing Our Career Readiness Initiative
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry is thrilled to introduce our new Career Readiness Initiative for youth ages 13 through high school graduation. This exciting addition to our community-based mentoring program will equip young people with the tools, guidance, and experiences they need to explore careers, build skills, and confidently prepare for life after high school.
What this Initiative Brings to Our Matches
Setting Career Goals
Each mentee will work with their mentor to set one career-focused goal per year, with a target of 100 goals in the first year. We anticipate that 68% of these goals will be achieved, helping us increase the number of youth with post-high school plans from 86% to 95%.
Hands-On Career Experiences
Matches will have access to two career-focused activities, such as workplace tours, guest speakers, job fairs, or job shadowing opportunities. These experiences provide real-world exposure and help youth discover what excites and inspires them.
Additional Skill-Building Opportunities
The initiative also includes mentorship support, career readiness resources, and activities designed to help youth explore interests, develop strengths, and build confidence for the future.
We are excited to roll out this initiative and look forward to empowering our youth to take meaningful steps toward their dreams. Stay tuned as we continue expanding opportunities that open doors to bright futures for the young people we serve.
December Resources: Self-Care for the Holiday Seasons
This month at BBBSL, we’re focusing on self-care for the holidays — emphasizing presence over presents. Explore our quick guide for simple ways to support you and your Little’s well-being during a busy season. Learn meaningful practices to stay grounded, prioritize connection, and show up with intention.
Reminder: BBBSL offers one free match activity each month. Spots fill up quickly, so Bigs, be sure to register early once your Little is available!
If you know a child who could benefit from a 1:1 mentoring relationship, reach out — we’re here to support BIG futures across the Lowcountry.
December is a time filled with reflection, generosity, and celebration — a moment to honor the impact of mentorship and the community that makes our mission possible. As we wrap up another year of igniting potential, we are reminded just how powerful it is when people come together to support youth across the Lowcountry.
Season of Giving
As the Season of Giving continues, we invite our community to make an end-of-year impact in whichever way that feels meaningful. Whether you give your time by becoming a Big, your voice by sharing our mission, or your resources by making a gift, every act of generosity helps create and sustain life-changing mentoring relationships. Your support today helps a young person step into the new year with confidence, connection, and encouragement.
International Volunteer Day (Dec 5)
This month, we also celebrate our incredible Bigs and volunteers who serve as mentors, role models, and champions for youth. Their commitment shows what’s possible when caring adults invest in the next generation — and as we look ahead to BIG Appreciation Month in January, we’re excited to continue highlighting, uplifting, and celebrating the impact of our Bigs and the difference they make every day.
Looking Ahead
As the year comes to a close, we reflect with gratitude on all we’ve accomplished together — and on the many mentorship moments that shaped this year. Thank you for helping us create a strong foundation for the year ahead. BIG things are on the horizon