FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Connecting kids with love and support, is what Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area (BBBSNCA), does best.
"We pair a caring adult with a youth in need," said Kent Sneed, who is with BBBSNCA.
He told WUSA9 they do a vigorous background and screening process on the adult, with the hopes of building long term matches between the kids and adults.
"It's really designed to make sure that the youth have a lot of opportunity. That they have a positive role model in their life. That they are able to be exposed to different things and really looking for to mainly more so their well being. Making sure they have somebody who is looking after them," said Sneed.
Being that they are a nonprofit, they rely heavily on donations and grants. On Thursday night, the ViaPath Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area.
The company itself, has a mission of "breaking the cycle of incarceration through transformative technology and services."
"Ability is universal but opportunity is not," said Shirley Moore Smeal, the ViaPath Technologies Foundation Chairperson.
Children play a huge role in breaking the cycle.
"If there's a void where they're looking for a role model or leader, or looking for someone to follow, the world will present other options, if you don't fight to be in that position," said Antonio Sadler, who works for ViaPath.
Sneed says that the donated funds will go a long way.
"The money will go towards making sure we continue this program. It'll also go towards making sure we can have more events like this. It helps us make sure we have trained and adequate staff," said Sneed. "It supports us in a lot of different ways".
He told WUSA9 that the program is something that can really ensure our youth stay on the right track.
"A lot of folks in the region they are alarmed by the rise in youth crime here. A mentor can play a big role in a young person's life. Being able to keep them on the straight and narrow. Being able to have someone they can talk to aside from their parents. So, a mentorship really looks different in each relationship, but it goes a long way in making sure our young people are making really positive decisions," said Sneed.
On Thursday night, more than a dozen "Bigs" and "Littles" got together in Falls Church for the check presentation. They also built a blue tooth speaker together.
"To see them open up and get comfortable talking to adults. It's also great for our bigs to be able to give back, share life lessons, wisdom but also have fun. It's rewarding for our littles, as well as our bigs," said Sneed.
Mila and Stephanie, who met two years ago, were one of the Big/Little matches at the event.
"When I was younger I wish I would have had certain things so it's nice that now I'm older I can kind of pass that on. It's nice that when I expose her to different things I can kind of relive it for the second time through her eyes so that's always the prize for me," said Stephanie.
"If you're looking for additional support, a helping hand, look into Big Brothers Big Sister. We have a lot of caring adult volunteers who are looking to give back. They're looking to donate their time and energy to really help the younger generation," said Sneed.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of kids who want to be a part of the program but they need more volunteers.
"We are desperately in need of volunteers, particularly male volunteers. We have roughly 30 youth waiting to be matched in Northern Virginia," said
Across the entire DMV, he says more than 100 kids are on the waitlist. If you're interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, click here.