Creating Magic: The Story of Big Sister Rikki Jo & Little Johnae

When the pandemic hit and the world shut down, Rikki Jo made one last trip to stock up—not at the grocery store, but at Michael’s.  Fond of the painter, Bob Ross, Rikki Jo loves expressing her creativity through a variety of ways—a quality that would stand out when she enrolled to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters last summer.

While Rikki Jo was staying busy with projects, 12-year-old Johnae spent the early months of COVID learning painting techniques from a neighbor. When they were matched through the mentoring program in July, their shared love of art helped create an immediate connection. Since then, both Big and Little have enjoyed trips to the Allentown Art Museum and time spent painting together at scenic locations in the Lehigh Valley.

Although art is a common interest, they’ve also passed time baking cookies, playing video games and dancing in Rikki Jo’s living room—simple moments she feels have been more impactful than seeking activities in the community. But when they do go out, the match looks for opportunities to try something new. The braver of the two, Johnae is always up for an adventure, even ones that involve snakes or lizards. During a trip to the Da Vinci Science Center, Johnae was more than comfortable handling the reptiles while Rikki Jo cheered her on.

While the pair has shared in many laughs, Rikki Jo and Johnae have also confronted some of the challenges that life can bring. And because their friendship is rooted in trust, they’ve tackled the tough subjects with relative ease. When Johnae was failing in school, Rikki Jo stepped in to see how she might assist. She worked with Johnae over Facetime to develop good study habits and help prioritize her workload. As a result, Johnae’s grades improved significantly—and good grades are something she’ll need to achieve her dream of becoming a beautician, lawyer, and veterinarian (in that order).

Their strong foundation has also helped Johnae work through feelings associated with the sudden and tragic loss of her mom in 2018. “Rikki Jo’s more than a friend. She helps me get through rough times like the passing of my mother and recent passing of my grandfather. She just helps me through my life,” said Johnae.

Rikki Jo explained further. “I am just a listening ear. I sit and listen to her stories. I ask her questions about them and I think it really helps her process her feelings to have somebody listen straight through and be fully engaged in what she’s trying to express.”

Today, as the limitations of COVID-19 begin to fade, the future looks bright for this special match. As summertime approaches, Rikki Jo and Johnae are eager to embark on more adventures like picnics, bike rides, and pool days—all the things that sisters often do.

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