When David was 12 years old, his parents, David and Julie Martinez, moved from Littleton to Pueblo. His parents both wanted to attend dental school to advance their careers, so David helped care for his two younger sisters, Ashley and Alexis. Then in 2004, when his father asked him to volunteer at the Denver Rescue Mission, David agreed. He helped his father provide dental care and learned first-hand about the needs of homeless people.

“We're always helping each other and people who are less fortunate than we are,” said David, 25, of his family.

But in 2006, David wanted to do more. His question to himself was: “What else can I do?” His uncle, Michael Ontiviros, suggested a place to serve. Ontiviros participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters in Phoenix, Ariz. and he encouraged his nephew to do the same.

“I never had a brother,” said David, as he sat in the living room of his Broomfield apartment. “What better way to get a brother than through Big Brothers Big Sisters?”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is one of 15 mentor organizations in The Youth Mentoring Collaborative (YMC).   The YMC offers volunteer opportunities that enable adults to impact youth’s lives and make a difference through mentoring.  The YMC will work to match adults with mentoring options that best fit their interest and availability. 

In July 2007, after a three- to four-month application process, David became a Big Brother to 12-year-old Willie Serrano of Thornton. Willie is the youngest of Diane Serrano's three children. Willie's siblings, Santanna, 15 1/2 and Allen, 14, also are involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Diane Serrano, a single parent who works long hours, said she appreciates Big Brothers Big Sisters because the program allows her children to enjoy recreational outings. “They have a lot of fun with this program,” she said.

David shares interests with Willie and has given her son “another friendship,” she said. David also provides an older male role model for Willie, a seventh-grader at Niver Creek Middle School.

As the family gathered in their apartment, Santanna said of Willie: “When he's with David, since he's known David for a while, he opens up. But if he doesn't really know you that well, then he'll be shy until he gets to know you...He's a really fun person to be around.”

Willie, who was quietly listening, appreciated his sister's compliment. And his mother didn't miss her son's reaction: “Oh, look at that smile!” she said.

David remembers how Willie's quietness began to fade as they played basketball one day. “I started to see his aggressive side, his competitive side,” David said.

“That kid likes to win, no matter what.”

As their relationship deepens, Willie becomes more at ease with his “big brother,” David observed. “You get to see his personality more and more as he gets comfortable.”

Recently, David took Willie, who is 4 feet 11 inches tall and about 75 to 80 pounds, to learn a new sport. “He just showed me how to box, how to defend myself,” Willie said.

Willie also has accepted David's help with school. When Willie's grades started slipping, David began meeting with him on Friday nights – in addition to Sundays when they regularly hang out  – to  help with homework.

“If I get straight B's, he will take me shopping,” Willie said.

Encouraging Willie to stay in school, keep good grades and avoid dead-end jobs are among David's goals for his relationship with the youngster. “Success for me would be to see him go to college,” David said.

When the weather is good, David and Willie participate in a lot of outdoor activities when they get together on Sundays. They also join outings offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters. For example, David and Willie recently went skiing with the group.

As David builds a relationship with Willie, he also juggles classes as a biology student at Front Range Community College. In the fall, David plans to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he will study integrative physiology with a minor in Spanish. David plans on keeping up the family tradition and becoming a dentist, like his parents.

David's days are busy, but he makes time for Willie. “There are 24 hours in a day and it's basically time management, what you do with your time,” he said. “Especially being in college, you have to learn time management.”

David and Willie can continue a relationship for as long as they want. Big Brothers Big Sisters does not outline a time frame for these mentor relationships. And that's perfectly fine for David, who said he feels his friendship with Willie is personally rewarding: “He feels a part of me.”