Big Sister Rhonda and Little Sister Gazhelle
Meet Big Sister Rhonda and Little Sister Gazhelle, who have been matched for six years now! The pair first met through the Community-based mentoring program in July 2020 and have been volunteering together, cooking, and preparing for the future ever since. Recently, Gazhelle became one of the 2026 Frank Zirille Scholarship recipients.
When Little Sister Gazhelle first enrolled in the program, her School Buddy was there to help her as she grieved the loss of her father and to give her another positive role model in her life. When that match ended, Gazhelle’s mom signed her up for the Community-based program to continue benefiting from a mentor. They soon got the call that Gazhelle had a new Big Sister, Rhonda.
However, in this new match, Gazhelle initially wasn’t sure what she had gotten herself into. As she sat in an office, waiting to meet her new Big Sister, something caught her eye out the window. Rhonda rode up to their meeting on a bike. Not a fan of anything outdoorsy or active, she had some hesitations but decided to keep an open mind. Looking back, she is glad that she did. Her worries were quickly eased as she interacted with her Big’s “positive, cheerful” energy.
They were matched during quarantine, but that didn’t stop the two from bonding. They met virtually for the first few months, and Rhonda decided to take this time to read together. She would send her Little different books on black women, empowerment, and loving oneself. Then, the two would read and discuss the books over Zoom. Although Gazhelle was not very interested in reading when she was younger, Rhonda made it fun and more interesting, especially with the types of books she chose. Gazhelle got more into reading because of her Big’s guidance.
When they started meeting in person, the pair played games at Rhonda’s house, especially Monopoly, where Gazhelle could spread all her fake cash. They cooked and grilled together, and they enjoyed the summertime in Rhonda’s gazebo. Often, this Big and Little drove to the BBBS headquarters, where they could take part in the BBBS Match Activities, like Cupcakes and Canvas.
More than this, volunteerism gave Rhonda and Gazhelle time to connect both with each other and with the community. They would pass out food at the Community Harvest Food Bank or at Rhonda’s church. Sometimes, they raked people’s yards and did things around the community. This Little liked participating in volunteer work, and Rhonda fostered this interest. Gazhelle is happy that she and her Big experienced getting out in the community together.
As the years went on, Gazhelle warmed up to her active Big Sister’s encouragement to go outside, despite her dislike of bugs and the outdoors. They sat outside in the gazebo, volunteered outdoors, talked about Rhonda’s flowers and plants, and even did water aerobics a few times!
Her consistent exposure to activities outside of her comfort zone opened up Gazhelle’s horizons, letting her pursue hobbies and interests that she had never experienced before. Her Big Sister always stressed the importance of trying new things, whether being active, going outside, reading books, or volunteering somewhere new. Gazhelle took to heart Rhonda’s advice to try new things, even if you don’t think you’ll like them, just so you can definitively say you don’t.
Rhonda also mentored her Little by exposing her to places and endeavors that would prepare her for her future. She took Gazhelle to Purdue Fort Wayne events, where she had worked. They attended multi-cultural events, like for Hispanic Heritage Month or Black History Month. At the gatherings hosted on the campus, Gazhelle would volunteer at different informational booths with her Big Sister, where she would have to talk to people from different backgrounds than her. According to Gazhelle, this allowed her to build up her confidence and social skills.
Over the past six years, her mentor’s lessons have taught Gazhelle how to prepare for college, lead others, and seize opportunities when they are given to her. Gazhelle also feels the changes within herself since they met in 2020: her sociability and outgoingness have grown significantly.
“I used to be really quiet and in my own shell, but she would take me to the PFW events and take me around to all these places,” explained Gazhelle. “I was able to come out of my shell, where I was more social and able to just go up to anybody and start the conversation, people that we're probably from very different backgrounds than me. She helped me be more outgoing for sure.”
Rhonda supported Gazhelle through her foray into college applications, decision-making, and staying on track in high school. She checked in with her Little to make sure she wasn’t missing deadlines and always encouraged her to keep going. Gazhelle describes her Big Sister as “generous,” always willing to give her time to others.
“I would say we've grown in our relationship, like more personal and closer. I'll talk to her, and I've gotten to know the real her,” said Gazhelle.
As part of the Peacemaker program, the Interact Club, and the secretary of her school’s literary magazine, Gazhelle led a multi-faceted and community-engaged life. She was named a “Scholar with Distinction” for her exemplary work throughout her high school career, and there are no signs of her stopping there. Gazhelle is heading to IU Indianapolis for a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in human resources. Although she is enrolled to start college this fall, this dedicated student has already earned several college credits over the past few years.
Recognizing her academic achievements, drive to succeed, and community-oriented spirit, Gazhelle became a 2026 Frank Zirille Scholarship recipient, which will help her in the next four years of her academic career.
Gazhelle is excited to take on a degree so versatile, one where she can get her hands on a little bit of everything. After graduating, she envisions a career where she can help businesses thrive, especially those with a mission and a story behind them.
“I can help businesses that have a passion be successful and be positive and impactful for their community,” she explained.
She hopes to step in when a business struggles or doesn’t have the momentum they need, assisting the owners in getting their business and employees on track. All of this will be done with the goal in mind of positively impacting the community.
Gazhelle cites her Big Sister’s influence for part of her passion for helping businesses: “It's beneficial for everybody to get in the field and be with the community and help uplift your community. She taught me that through doing a lot of the things that we did.”
Now that Gazhelle is locked in to move to Indianapolis, the match knows they won’t be able to meet in person or as often as they once did. However, they plan to stay in touch and communicate through this next chapter of her life. She knows her Big is always a phone call away.
After experiencing mentorship herself, Gazhelle assures that these kinds of programs can benefit communities greatly. Youth can be steered into positive futures and away from harmful paths. Exposure to perspectives outside of their friends and family gives young people a different outlook on life, she explained.
“Get involved for the culture and for hopefully bettering the community and the youth in the future,” said Gazhelle.
To learn more about how to join our simple but impactful mentoring programs, just like Rhonda and Gazhelle, visit www.bbbsnei.org or call 260-456-1600.
