It had been over two years since Frank and Andrea found themselves raising their three grandchildren. After their daughter’s passing, everything changed. Tyler, Talia, and Jaxxon—still so young—had not only lost their mother but also a piece of themselves. “When the children lost their mom, they also lost the home life they once knew,” Andrea stated, reflecting on how fractured their world became. The glue that once held them together seemed to dissolve, and life became significantly more difficult.
Andrea and Frank work full-time and have faced the difficult challenge of balancing their careers with the demands of raising three grieving children. It became clear that Tyler, Talia, and Jaxxon needed more guidance and attention than they could provide on their own. Andrea knew they needed extra support—someone who could give the children one-on-one time, a chance to be heard, and a break from the very heavy weight they were carrying. That’s when they turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara (BBBSN) for help.
“I’ve been familiar with BBBSN since I was a little girl,” Andrea recalled. “A family friend reintroduced us to the program in July of 2021, noticing we were going through a lot of loss and change.” After enrolling, Andrea trusted that BBBSN would find the right mentors for her grandchildren—mentors who could be their safe haven. “I told them they’d be meeting ‘their person’,” she shared, hopeful for what was to come.
It was not long before incredible mentors were found for Tyler, Talia, and Jaxxon. Each child was matched with a mentor who truly understood their unique needs and shared common interests, creating a meaningful connection. That is where our story begins.
“I’ll never forget the day I first met her,” said Taylor, Talia’s mentor. The plan was straightforward, a quick meet-and-greet at children’s home. But when Taylor walked in, Talia was hiding behind a pile of pillows, barely making eye contact. It was her younger brother Jaxxon, with his energetic personality, who suggested they all go to the park. His outgoing nature helped coax Talia out of her shell. “We ended up spending over an hour playing, and by the end, Talia was already asking when I would come back,” Taylor recalled.
Over the coming months, Tyler and Jaxxon were also matched with their mentors, Jake and Cho. The children and their three mentors have developed strong bonds, becoming essential parts of each other’s lives, and often spend time all together. The group shares a unique connection, all three mentors, had the same career goal of becoming police officers. “We supported each other throughout the application processes and celebrated all our wins together when we got hired,” Taylor explained. “By fate, Cho and I even ended up on the same shift with the Niagara Regional Police Service.”
For these three children, time with their mentors provides a sense of consistency, safety, and belonging. As they grow, their mentors remain deeply committed, offering steady support every step of the way. “It no longer feels like volunteer work but an investment in their future,” mentioned Taylor. Cho expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Jaxxon is one of the most resilient people I know. I can’t wait to see him learn how to drive, graduate high school, and I cannot wait to see what kind of person he becomes!”
Jake reflects on the past two years, sharing just how far his mentee Tyler has come. “When we first met, Tyler was such a quiet kid, often hesitant to share his thoughts or engage in activities,” Jake recalled. “I am amazed by the transformation he has undergone. Watching him embrace challenges and approach new situations with a positive attitude fills me with pride. It’s a testament to the progress he has made.”
For these three children and their grandparents, BBBSN mentorship is more than just support—it’s an opportunity to heal, to experience new things, and to find stability amidst so much change. Mentorship is a lifeline that offers them hope for a brighter future. As their grandmother Andrea shared, “Without BBBSN we would not be where we are today; the growth I see in them is making them whole again”.