Building a Bigger Future Together for Youth: A Message from Board Chair Steve Hentges
April 11, 2025
Welcome to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities annual Big Night Gala! Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the power of youth mentorship! My name is Steve Hentges, and I’m honored to chair the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities. I joined as a board member in 2018, which, frankly, feels like a lifetime ago.
Why am I here? I’m here because, 30 years ago, I didn’t know how to tie a tie.
I lost my father when I was five. And sure, there were the big, obvious implications. But what didn’t hit me until later? I’d lost the person who was supposed to teach me how to tie a tie.
Picture this: I’m minutes away from being rushed off to church for my confirmation ceremony. And much like current-day Steve, 14-year-old Steve wasn’t exactly known for planning ahead. Suddenly, I realized—I had no idea what to do with this thing around my neck. Panic set in. I felt embarrassed and insecure. How could I not know how to do this? I felt all of this shame in my 14-year-old mind and body.
At my mom’s urging, I sprinted across the front yard and banged on my neighbor’s door. And there was Gene Koll, ready to guide me through the byzantine process of tying a double Windsor knot. That small moment has stuck with me. Sure, I learned to tie a tie—kind of. But more than that, I learned I had a resource. Someone who would open the door.
I’m here because I wanted to be that person for someone else. I wanted to be someone’s Gene Koll. So fresh out of college, I signed up to be a Big. I was unprepared, but a key lesson from this agency’s training stuck with me: focus on your Little’s strengths, not their struggles. Young people don’t need fixing; they need to be seen, heard, and valued. Sometimes, they just need someone to open the door.
And that’s exactly what my Little Brother Antwone and I did. Our friendship wasn’t always about tackling problems. It was most often about rollerblading, drawing, and playing video games. It was about showing up, having fun, and seeing where our relationship could take us. And it was awesome.
Thank you for listening to some of my story. You’re going to hear a lot of stories tonight. Because mentorship creates great impact—and impact creates great stories.
This work is so rewarding because, in a time filled with so much uncertainty—when some days it feels like we can’t even agree on what’s up and what’s down—THIS work is undeniably good. It’s unspinnable. And not only is this work good—it is undeniably effective.
You’ll hear more later from our CEO, Pat Sukhum, about a 30-year study led by Harvard and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The takeaway? Big Brothers Big Sisters delivers a $23 return on every dollar invested. Twenty-three to one.
So how does this organization achieve results like that? We are fiercely committed to youth. We value them. We listen to them. We show up for them. And let me be clear—those values don’t change with the political winds. These values are evergreen. Because they work.
This work is good. This work is effective. And this work is urgent. That’s why we—our board, this agency—are driven by a moral imperative to move quickly. The need is profound. With over 600 young people on our waiting list, we have 600 opportunities to change the future. Every young person shines brighter with one more person cheering them on.
We’re building a bigger future together—and we’re bringing everyone with us.
Speaking of building a legacy, we have some incredible folks in the room tonight who’ve been on this journey for years, making a difference in the lives of so many. Like former Little Brother Pat Rickert, who’s proudly held the title of “Little Brother” for almost 80 years. Or Ed Christie, who launched our annual Saints Game Picnic with the St. Paul Saints back in 1995—creating a 30-year tradition that’s brought joy to hundreds of matches. Or Jerry Allen, who first volunteered with BBBS 52 years ago. He’s mentored 12 Littles and is rolling off our board this summer after a lifetime of service and heart.
Maybe today is your first day with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Maybe today is the first day you take a big step to support Twin Cities youth. Wherever you are on that path—thank you. Your investment in mentorship is invaluable. Your belief in the power of potential changes lives. Your support brings our mission to life—one match, one moment, one future at a time.
This is Steve Hentges’ speech from the 2025 Big Night Gala, our annual fundraiser and celebration of the power of mentorship.
Want to support youth and their big, bright futures through mentorship?
