Real Stories - Jim and Raymond

Raymond knows Jim is coming to pick him up, and that's a big deal.

Nearly every week for the past three and a half years, Jim has come to get Raymond for sporting events, dinner or waterskiing on Tichigan Lake. Jim’s loyalty has inspired trust and confidence in Raymond.

Before meeting his Big Brother, Raymond didn’t have a trusted male adult in his life. He was misbehaving in school and acting out his frustration with his father, who was incarcerated and often forgot to contact him on holidays and birthdays.

Raymond’s mother, Valerie, knew Raymond and his brother needed good male role models, and she turned to Big Brothers Big Sisters for help.

“I try to give my boys everything I can,” said Valerie, “and one thing I can’t give them is how to be a man or show them what real men do.”

Valerie has seen major changes in Raymond’s behavior at home and school since he met Jim, but when Raymond learned that his father had been incarcerated again, his initial reaction was anger.

Fortunately this time was different—Raymond knew there was someone who would still be there for him. After a few minutes he put aside his anger and reassured Valerie, “It’s OK, Mom, I’ve still got Jim.”