LEWISTON — Steven Fukuda was recently honored as Big Brother of the Year by the Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters site-based mentoring program.

Fukuda is a senior at Bates College and has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for over three years, being matched with his Little Brother, Ben. He has also been a student leader of a Bates College Mentoring Program called “Cats and Cubs,” which meets on the Bates College campus and provides safe and healthy one-to-one mentoring relationships between children and Bates College students.

Fukuda said that during his three years with the program he has learned that one person can really make a difference in someone’s life just by being there. He said, “I like the feeling of being a Big Brother and the close bond that I share with my Little Brother, Ben. We have become great friends simply by sharing time together on a consistent basis. Every child has different needs and sometimes just being there to listen can have a huge impact in their life.”

Ron Hood, Big Brothers Big Sisters program director, said “Steven deserves this recognition because he has been an exemplary role model to his Little Brother. He has been a dedicated, positive role model and leader of the Bates College Cats and Cubs mentoring program. As Steve graduates from Bates this year, I will miss Steve’s ‘quiet leadership’ ability and compassion for others. He leaves us having learned that he can make a difference in the life of a child in any community in which he lives.”

For more information about being a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer mentor,  call 782-5437 or send an e-mail to ron.hood@childhealthcenter.org.