Vivian Lester always dreamed of having a sister. While family circumstances made that unlikely, it didn’t stop her from wishing for that special connection between two siblings. Lester was fortunate to learn that when the right people come together, dreams have a way of coming true.
When Lester was in the fifth grade, her mother saw the need for her daughter to expand her support system. She wanted her daughter to experience a sibling relationship, and her research led her to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. She applied for a Big Sister for her daughter, who was quickly matched and found a Big in Tiffany Westfall.
“The first memory I have of Tiffany is when she came to my house so we could meet each other,” Lester says. “We clicked instantly and I just knew we would be best friends.”
Lester and Westfall have developed a relationship over the last decade and it has created a profound impact on both women. They have spent birthday parties and big life moments together, taken annual trips and bonded over a shared love of baking. Most summers, the two could be found paddle boarding on Morse Reservoir and Lester was even a junior bridesmaid in Westfall’s wedding.
After a decade, Lester and Westfall will be graduating from the program as Lester prepares for her high school graduation. But that doesn’t mean their relationship will come to an end. Both women share fond memories and are expecting a lifelong friendship.
“My philosophy on life is that we should help make people better if we can, and so I thought this would be a good program to do exactly that,” Westfall says. “It’s been fun to see how our conversations really do shape her life. It’s really rewarding to know you can have an influence on youth who are reaching out for help.”
Lester will be heading off to Ivy Tech Community College in the fall, where she plans to study baking, a true homage to her Big relationship. Lester feels strongly that others shouldn’t hesitate to be a part of the program. She believes that everyone needs a Tiffany, and there are plenty of kids who are still waiting for their chance to be matched.
“We have tons of kids who come to us asking to have another supportive adult in their life, someone who’s in their corner to back them up,” says Jackie Lai, director of marketing, communications, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana currently has more than 1,200 children waiting to be matched with a Big. Westfall urges anyone who is interested to take the plunge.
“A lot of people seem to worry about it being a major time commitment,” she says. “I can assure you it’s not. It can be just a couple of hours a month, or more if you want it to be. The smallest commitment makes a difference. On my 40th birthday, Vivian wrote me the most heartfelt card. I could tell that the things we talk about really set in.”
Volunteers are supported with donated sports tickets, sponsored events, and lists of low-cost activities around Indianapolis. The real impact comes from spending time with someone who needs just a little extra support. Lester’s own words make that apparent. “It feels like Tiffany is actually family to me,” she says. “That was something I really wanted. I wanted a sister and I got one.”
