"I didn't think I could do this." Big Dreams do come true Fishing was always his favorite thing. Now, he's done it! "That's gonna cost ya" she would say... "Never, Never Give Up!" he cheered...

Big dreams...
It seems Clorinda has had them all of her life.

As a younger girl, she dreamed of having a Big Sister like her little sister, but was considered too old at the time. Instead, she looked on at the special relationship with envy, admiration and respect. And, she learned. And shared. And, when the time came and she was old enough, she became the Big Sister she never had.

For the past two years, Clorinda has been making a big difference in one lucky little nine year-old girl’s life. Alexis adores “Clo”, as she likes to call her, but this soft spoken, seemingly shy third grader’s words do not begin to express her love. Instead, you can hear it in her girlish giggle and see it in her sparkling smile. There seems to be an unspoken bond between Clo and Alexis. One that only a Big and a Little can ever really understand.

Whether they spend an afternoon splashing around at the beach, sharing an ice cream, going roller skating, creating their own “runway show” or just hanging out with Alexis’ two sisters and brother, it is obvious that Clorinda takes great pride in the relationship she has with Alexis. You can tell that this pride is mutual in the way Alexis’ voice bursts with excitement on planning a trip to Darien Lake or Chuck E. Cheese’s. And, then, there is that giggle. That undeniable affirmation that there is something very special going on here.

Special doesn’t begin to describe Clorinda’s feelings on being a part of this unique friendship. As this insightful young woman puts it; “Being a Big is very important to me and I take it very seriously. It’s a big responsibility. Bigger than school. Bigger than anything. Another person depends on you to keep your word and that’s huge. It has really grounded me and helped me to realize what’s important in life. I’ve always looked up to women who are older than me so I hope that Alexis can do that with me. I know I learn a lot from her. I’ve grown a lot because of her.”

It is safe to say that through the years Clorinda has grown in more ways than one. Once considered an “at risk” child herself, Clorinda has beaten the odds and achieved many successes. Her latest accomplishment -- earning her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Buffalo. Alexis may never know the hardships Clo experienced while commuting, studying and being a Big all at the same time, but that’s what being a Big is all about. Big sacrifices for little people.

And, so it goes. Whether you’re young or old, if you work hard enough and believe, anything is possible. Just ask Clorinda. Big dreams do come true.