“God puts us in places to love,” says 25-year-old Lesley Duffy.
The place where Lesley has had an opportunity to share her love has been her match with 12-year-old Jercora.
Lesley and Jercora were matched in February of last year when Jercora’s mother was seeking ways for her daughter’s life to be enriched. The tall, quiet 7th grader needed places to shed the responsibilities of her life and just be a girl.
“She’s a girl,” shares Lesley. “She loves to go to Target and shop, even if we just walk around. She loves to bake with me and decorate cupcakes. She loves games and movies. She’s easy to please and we enjoy spending time together.”
Lesley, who moved to Nashville so that her husband, Aaron, could attend Vanderbilt Law School, was part of a one-on–one mentoring program in Chattanooga where she attended college and received a degree in child and family services.
“Working with kids is something that has become my niche,” Lesley notes. Her volunteer work in Chattanooga was a five-day-a-week commitment. Her job in Nashville, working in a marriage ministry program in Franklin, precluded her involvement in a more intensive mentoring program for children.
But her familiarity with the reputation of Big Brothers Big Sisters led her to her work as a Big Sister.
“With Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have the opportunity to plant a seed,” Lesley says. “Good things can happen.”
The match is off to a great start.
Jercora is naturally reserved and doesn’t share a lot of emotion with Lesley, but drops hints that the relationship means a lot to her.
“She tells me that her best friend has started talking about wanting a Big so that she can do fun things, also,” says Lesley. “I framed a picture of the two of us for her birthday and she keeps it on her dresser and shares it with friends.”
Jercora is making progress in her academics, having been recognized as the most improved Math and Science student in her grade at Ewing Park.
Lesley says she knows that continuing to invest her time with Jercora could lead to something positive.
“So many children settle into the wrong path.” Says Lesley. “They don’t have to settle into that path. I want Jercora to see that.”
One thing is for certain, she’s on a bright path now.
