Youth mentorship creates cross-cultural connections for Big Brother Isaac and Little Brother Ethan
October 9, 2024, Samreen Saadi
Isaac stepped into youth mentoring as a Big Brother in 2022. Growing up in Ghana, Isaac also had a mentor he looked up to, and remembers his Big Brother as a positive influence in his own life. Isaac discovered Big Brothers Big Sisters through a friend’s recommendation, drawn by a desire to give back to his community, now the Twin Cities, in a meaningful way. Having a background in coaching soccer, Isaac wanted to continue supporting youth, yet he understood that mentoring brought a different kind of responsibility.
“The biggest thing I learned was patience,” says Isaac reflecting on the last two years that he has been matched with his Little Brother Ethan.
Ethan was initially shy and quiet when he and his mom first met Isaac at their match introduction. “There was still a little bit of nervousness… like, how are we actually gonna get along,” Isaac recalled. But as they began to bond over shared interests, especially soccer, Isaac witnessed Ethan’s playful spirit and voice emerge. “You can still see him just opening right up. He’s playful and I’m playful too,” Isaac noted, highlighting how their shared love for soccer helped dissolve the initial barriers. On the field, laughter and sports became their shared language, enabling Ethan to grow in confidence.
As their relationship has deepened, they have ventured beyond soccer to explore Ethan’s Mexican roots and Isaac’s Ghanaian roots. “We’ve tried to incorporate a little bit of our cultures,” Isaac said, recounting their experiences talking about language, backgrounds and attending cultural events together. Last year, Isaac joined Ethan at a quinceañera and felt honored to be included saying, “I had never been to a quinceañera before. But, I met his extended family members, and it was a lot of fun.”
They also attended the CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio) 2024 Latino Festival in Saint Paul to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. These shared cultural experiences allow them to explore the richness of each other’s cultures, from family to food to everything in between, fostering a mutual understanding that enhances their connection. Through their time together, Isaac discovered life lessons about patience and empathy, recognizing how his previous expectations had to adapt to Ethan’s personality, environment, circumstances and pace.
Isaac admires Ethan’s mom, Margarita, and her dedication to Ethan and his siblings, stating, “It makes me appreciate her role.”
This reflection on supporting youth through parenting and mentoring not only strengthened their bond as the two caring adults in Ethan’s life, but also built a powerful support system for Ethan. Isaac is no longer just a mentor; he is a part of Ethan’s family, and in return, Ethan’s world has expanded Isaac’s perspective on mentoring and belonging.
Looking ahead, Isaac sees no end to his mentoring journey with Ethan. He envisions a future where their bond continues to grow, shaped by their shared interests, lived experiences, and cultural differences. As they walk side by side through life’s challenges, Isaac feels grateful for the lessons learned through mentorship and the laughter shared with his Little Brother. Their connection is more than a mentor-mentee relationship built on the love for soccer. It is a celebration of diversity, belonging, and a commitment to understanding one another’s rich cultures and interests intertwined.
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