Cliff & Wesley | A 'Little' Letter

Wesley Holman, age 13, has been in our program for seven years. Wesley recently completed a program application and had to answer “What was one of the most significant experiences in your life”? Wesley and his mother, Joy, allowed us to share with you Wesley’s response to that question.

“One of the most significant experiences of my life has been my experience with Cliff Cramer, my “big” from the Big Brother Big Sister program. This program is a mentoring program, designed to guide youth facing the varied challenges we face in today’s society.
When I was six years old, my mother signed me up for this wonderful program. She wanted a Big Brother to provide fatherly guidance, enabling me to participate in opportunities I would not have otherwise.

Since I was matched with Cliff Cramer, he has encouraged me to persevere and conquer challenges by supporting choices I make and building my self-confidence. The experience of being Cliff’s “Little” has also taught me the very meaning of friendship. Over the years, our friendship has gotten stronger by sharing our lives and making special memories. I have learned to trust through heart-to-heart talks. The laughs we have shared provided me with much-needed comic relief in times of stress.

Cliff and I have also shared special times at local parks; Princeton University Art Museum; the Grounds for Sculpture; the library; Big Brother Big Sister events; and even the State House. Last spring I had the opportunity to speak at the State House on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters, relating how significant the experience has been for me.

Cliff has impacted my life so greatly that I don’t know what I would do without him. I will always be grateful for the experience I’ve had as Cliff’s “Little.” “To the world you are one person, but to one person you may be the world.” This best sums up the impact Cliff Cramer has had on my life."

Cliff Cramer serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County and chairs the Fund Development and Strategic Planning Committees. Cliff served as Board President 2006 – 2008 and is a very proud Big Brother to Wesley.

Application Response, June 2009 (printed with permission)