2024 Future Forward Event Recap

Build. Empower. Connect. That was the focus of Future Forward, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ first-ever college and career fair for mentees. BBBS brought together community partners, local employers, colleges, resource partners, BBBS mentees, their families, and Bigs for this one-day event that took place Saturday, April 6 at BBBS’ Bennett-Rathgeber Mentoring Center.

It was a day geared towards possibilities. There were students with specific plans who simply needed resources to facilitate their goals, and there were others who were still finding their way, exploring the different paths available to them following high school graduation. The event provided opportunities and solutions for both.

“The vision of Future Forward is to connect our mentees and their family members with what’s available in our community, whether it be employment, post-secondary schools and programs, or community partners,” said Christina Eisenlord, BBBS Big Futures Manager, and co-creator of the event.

As students arrived, they were checked-in, and their names were entered into a raffle for the opportunity to win a new Chromebook and other prizes. They also received swag bags with helpful items such as water bottles, notebooks, pens and more. Mentees also had the option of signing up for a free haircut provided by Skinny’s Barbershop and Impact Barber Academy. To round out the experience, VIA 313 provided free pizza for attendees.

BBBS’ conference room and Youth Activity Center housed the community partners, post-secondary schools and programs, and employers such as PelotonU, Austin Community College, Park University, Home Builders Association, First Texas Honda, John Deere, and many more.

“I wanted mentees to walk away with something tangible,” said Christina. “To walk away from this event with more confidence about their next steps and their direction after high school.”

The event included breakout sessions where mentees received one-on-one guidance from volunteers on subjects such as resume writing, setting up a LinkedIn profile, college study tips, college readiness, career exploration, and financial aid. Regardless of a student’s direction, there were workshops to help. “There were a lot of wonderful volunteers who stepped up to provide support in all these breakouts,” said Christina.

“My favorite part of the day was interacting with parents and Bigs as they discussed their mentee’s goals and their excitement about the possibilities this event could lead to,” said Jade Lopez, BBBS Scholarship Program Coordinator, and co-creator of the event. “To see firsthand the support and the encouragement these mentees had to think outside of the box about their life goals was truly heartwarming.”

“A lot of time, effort, and love went into this event,” said Nancy Ouanemalay, BBBS Senior Enrollment Specialist, “and it was a major success! I worked the registration table, and I received positive feedback from volunteers, vendors, and community partners.”

It was all about helping mentees along the path to reaching their potential, realizing their goals, and achieving more than they ever thought possible. “I wanted these students to have an experience designed just for them where they could walk away feeling a little more confident about the future,” said Christina. “Anytime I can see mentees with a smile on their face and excited to talk about what the next steps are in their life… that’s what it’s all about.”

Helping young people find their way in life so that they can achieve their biggest possible futures is definitely what Big Brothers Big Sisters’ work is all about. This year’s Future Forward event was a great example of our mission in action.

We appreciate all of the staff, volunteers, partners, and participants who helped make this event such a resounding success for our mentees. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and how this event grows.

Special thanks to our wonderful event sponsors: John Deere, Skinny’s Barbershop, T-Project 10Million, Upfront Letterpress, and Via 313 Pizzeria.

See event photos HERE