In sports, success is often measured by the number of wins, championships, and individual accolades.
But for the 2023-24 baseball team at Garden City Community College (GCCC), their biggest victory didn’t come on the field—it came in the lives of the children they mentored through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth.
For nearly three decades, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney & Kearny Counties, led by Executive Director Tammy Wilson, has been a pillar of support for youth aged 5-17 facing adversity.
The organization recruits volunteers to serve as mentors, providing these children with the guidance, friendship, and stability they desperately need. BBBS has been in partnership with GCCC for over twenty-five years, drawing student volunteers from social work and criminal justice classes to work with children in the community.
However, last school year, the partnership took an unexpected and impactful turn when the 5th and 6th-grade schools in Garden City approached Wilson with a request for more male mentors.
The need was clear, and the GCCC baseball team stepped up to the plate in a big way.
“We were approached by Charles Stones Intermediate Center, who emphasized the need for male mentors for their students,” Wilson recalls. “We decided to reach out to the student activities coordinator at the college, and before we knew it, the baseball team had taken on this project with enthusiasm.”
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. The GCCC Baseball team not only met their community service goals, they exceeded them, contributing over 1,400 volunteer hours with local children over the course of the fall and spring semesters.
This wasn’t just a box to check off; it was a commitment that transformed the lives of the children they mentored.
Baseball players were matched with children based on the children’s needs and interests, fostering relationships that were as supportive as they were impactful. Wilson and her team provided the volunteers with training and ongoing support, ensuring they were well-equipped to handle the challenges they might encounter.
One particularly touching story is that of a young boy who faced significant challenges with concentrating at school. He was referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the organization
matched him with a GCCC baseball player. Over time, this young boy’s school performance and behavior at school improved greatly. But the real magic happened off the field.
“At the end of a GCCC baseball game, we were getting ready to take a picture, and this boy’s ride came to take him home,” Wilson said. “I asked him if he wanted to take a picture with his Big Brother before he left. He ran over to his mentor, and as they hugged, his Big Brother said, ‘I love you, man.’ The boy, without missing a beat, replied, ‘I love you too.’”
This simple exchange speaks volumes about the bond formed and its profound impact on both the mentor and the child. For many of these kids, having a Big Brother or Sister is more than just an hour-long weekly meeting—it’s a lifeline.
The GCCC Baseball team’s involvement also had a ripple effect throughout the community. Teachers and school staff noticed positive changes in the children, and the mentorships provided these kids with much-needed stability and support. The impact was so significant that BBBS was able to reduce its waiting list from over 100 children to just six by the end of the year.
“Our partnership with the college, and specifically with the Baseball team and Coach Josh Oller, has been a game-changer,” Wilson says. “The students may not realize it, but the hour they spend with these kids each week makes a world of difference.”
The experience wasn’t just life-changing for the children—it also left a lasting impression on the baseball players. Many of them had never worked with children before, and they didn’t expect to form such deep connections. But as they got to know their mentees, they realized the importance of their role.
Wilson shares another story of a young boy who was matched with a GCCC baseball player. The child, who had been struggling with self-confidence, was hesitant to try new activities. One day, the pair tried rock climbing in the school gym, and with his Big Brother by his side, the boy climbed to new heights—both literally and figuratively. The teacher who witnessed the moment sent pictures to Wilson, capturing the joy and pride on the boy’s face.
These stories are just a few examples of the countless lives touched by this partnership. And the program’s success didn’t go unnoticed. Big Brothers Big Sisters was recently nominated for Agency of the Year at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America national conference, largely thanks to the incredible growth and impact achieved through collaborations like the one with the GCCC Baseball team. The organization was recognized as a 2023 Platinum Award winner, a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.
As the new school year begins, Wilson and her team are eager to strengthen and expand their partnership with the college. With a growing need for mentors, the organization is actively seeking more volunteers and case managers to make a meaningful impact. In addition to the baseball team, several other GCCC athletic teams have shown interest in getting involved, and Wilson plans to continue recruiting GCCC students as mentors during classes this fall.
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