BBBS Family: Generational Connections

This year’s Brad Miller Gala and Auction brought a generational story to light, showing the long-term relationships and community connections BBBS builds through its programs. Big Couple Ed and Terry Stuczynski, who were just recognized as the 2025 Big Couple of the Year, along with Little Brother Jayden, shared their story from the stage.

Charita and Dani

Part of Ed, Terry, and Jayden’s story starts 20 years ago with a different match: Big Sister Charita Niedermeyer and Little Sister Dani.

Charita, coming from a big family, grew up loving kids. When she learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters, it was an easy choice to sign up—and one that she never regretted. Charita was just recognized for her 20-year volunteerism with the agency.

She was matched for the first time with Little Sister Dani, who was just as free-spirited and happy-go-lucky as her. Dani was down for whatever Charita had planned, so they went on many different adventures together. The two did everything from fishing and biking to visiting King’s Island and attending family gatherings.

Even after Dani graduated from the program, the two stayed in touch because they were beyond just being friends; they had become family. Charita was there for Dani through it all, celebrating exciting life milestones or comforting her through hard times. When Dani’s grandfather passed away, she got together with her Big Sister to talk through it.

Their match evolved into a true adult friendship. Although they may not meet as much as they used to, they stay in touch. Dani and Charita now live in the same neighborhood, so they wave as they drive by each other’s houses. Charita treats Dani’s son like her “nephew,” and the two have even gone fishing together.

“It feels great having her in my life, to be honest. I can go to her about anything,” said Dani.

Ed, Terry, and Jayden

Dani’s experience in the program is one reason why she signed her son, Jayden, up for the program as well. After his father passed, Dani felt that her son needed a support system outside of the family, just like she had with Charita growing up. Jayden, who knew about all the fun his mom had when she was matched, was excited to join the program, too.

Meanwhile, this Big Couple’s journey to meeting Jayden began with Terry. As a Special Ed Assistant at Kekionga Middle School, Terry met a young boy, Steve, whose situation and story stuck with her. A year later, she was at a party with Ed when she listened in on a conversation happening behind her. A woman, who turned out to be BBBS CEO Josette Rider, was describing a boy who was in need of a mentor and positive influence in his life. Terry jumped in because she knew exactly who that was: Steve. From that moment, Ed and Terry became a part of the BBBS family, and they haven’t looked back.

The two were matched with Steve for almost 10 years and stayed in touch with him, even past their time in the program. They attended his wedding and cheered him on as he moved states and started working for an eye doctor. Ed and Terry had such a positive experience that they continued volunteering with BBBS, even after their match with Steve ended. In 2021, the two were officially matched with Little Brother Jayden.

“When your kids are older, you don’t think about the same things as back then, so to get back to that mindset of what I need to do to help him along puts a lot of joy into you and energizes you,” said Ed.

Although their bond started through a shared love of walking, nature parks, football, sports, and anything energetic, it has become so much more to all of them.

Ed and Terry had no idea how much fun they would have and how important their catch-ups with Jayden would become. As Jayden got older, he grew to trust his Bigs with anything. They encourage and cheer on the high schooler as he navigates sports, grades, and everything in between. Now, there is no going back; they’ve become family.

“It’s very special to me because my family is kinda small, so to add more people into my family is pretty important to me,” said Jayden.

Jayden can’t imagine not being matched with his Big Couple and hopes that they one day have the same adult, family-like relationship his mom has with Charita.

“No matter where we are or where he is, we will always be there for him to always come back to us,” said Terry.

Be Big!

If there’s one thing these three Bigs agree on, it’s that being a mentor does not need to be difficult. Simply being a friend is enough for a young person to know they have someone who has their back.

“You won’t regret it at all. I haven’t, and it’s been 20 years,” said Charita.

To learn more about BBBS and how to get involved, visit www.bbbsnei.org or call 260-456-1600.