Real Stories - Sheree and Gabrielle

Sheree's friendship helped Gabrielle get focused on school and helping others.

School suspensions, directly related to behavior issues, had negatively impacted Little Sister Gabrielle's grades. Since meeting Big Sister Sheree, Gabrielle has made significant improvements in the classroom and with her behavior.

“Gabrielle went from failing grades to a 3.1 on her last report card, and her behavior at school has also improved,” Sheree said.

Sheree has been critical to Gabrielle’s success. When school work or
behavior issues re-surface, Sheree realigns their activities, putting emphasis on helping Gabrielle with homework instead of doing the “fun stuff” of shopping and going to movies.

“Gabrielle is more trusting of me and is able to acknowledge when she has an attitude,” Sheree said, “We then work together to determine why she is feeling or acting that way.”

An activity they both enjoy is volunteering. They have served food at meal programs and sorted food for the Hunger Task Force.

“From the volunteering experiences Gabrielle is learning to work with new people and listen and follow directions,” Sheree said. “The lessons learned here are helping with her behavior in school.”