A former Ball State couple aren't together, but they still go on "dates." Brock Frazer and Haley Snyder's relationship started as a romance but shifted into a mentoring partnership with Muncie's Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Frazer, a sophomore professional selling major joined Big Brothers Big Sisters before his then girlfriend, Snyder, a junior chemistry major. The program pairs children from the community with volunteer mentors who assist with their new sister or brother’s development.
The program assigned Frazer to Kyler, 12. Snyder met Kyler, and his sibling Kaylee, 11, at Kyler’s football game.
Kaylee wasn’t involved with Big Brother Big Sister at the time, but after having fun at the game, she asked Snyder to be her big sister.
Snyder wanted to, but she had to become official first. She went to Megann Parkison, Muncie’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program coordinator, and began the interview process. Afterwards, she chose her preference in regards to age and gender.
Just two weeks after Frazer found his little brother in Kyler, Snyder learned that she would be paired with Kyler’s younger sister.
Kaylee is wonderful, Snyder said. She’s sassy and asks a million questions, but that’s why Snyder loves her. Frazer describes Kyler as athletic.
“He’s respectful, does really well in school and plays basketball too,” Frazer said.
Frazer and Snyder said they mutually ended their relationship with each other, but they haven't given up on the “family” they’ve created.
“[Frazer and I] support each other all the time. Fortunately, nothing has changed between us because we’re still hanging out and encouraging each other," Snyder said. "Our littles were all like … ’why did you guys break up’ and we had to explain to them the best way possible.”
The two take the siblings ice skating, bowling and to other activities. They both said they love to interact with their littles as often as possible. They go on “big and little” dates and give them advice about life and school.
Because Frazer and Snyder have been focusing on school and finals recently, they haven’t spent as much time with their littles as they would like. Although school and extracurricular activities pose a challenge, Frazer said he believes his connection with Kyler and Kaylee has inspired him to be better for them.
“If you make a commitment and its something you truly love, you will stick with it no matter what,” Frazer said.
Sometimes children in Big Brothers Big Sisters lack support at home. That’s why Frazer said he feels it is extremely important for the children to have someone who can influence them to be their best selves. He said he believes with this program that they can be pushed a bit further to become respectful, loving people.
Currently, Snyder and Frazer are choreographing dance routines for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Dance for Kids' Sake fundraiser on May 9. After school has ended and the fundraiser wraps up, Frazer and Snyder said they plan on continuing to mentor Kyler and Kaylee.
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