PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM GUTHRIE

Tim Guthrie, Joel Cohen Endowed Chair and professor in Creighton University’s Department of Computer Science, Design, and Journalism, poses for a photograph with his “little brother,” Max, at Fontenelle Forest. Decades later, the pair recreated the photo in the same spot.

40 years ago, a college student named Tim Guthrie made what he calls “one of the best choices he’s ever made.” He joined Big Brothers Big Sisters, and what he thought would only be a year-long commitment ended up becoming a 40-year brotherhood.  

“I was one of those skeptical-type people. I wasn’t cynical, but I didn’t think I was ever going to be married or have kids. I wasn’t planning on that stuff. When you’re young, you don’t know what you really have to offer to anything or anybody. And meeting [my ‘little brother’] and hanging out, he would always make you feel like you’re really critical to his life and stuff … He definitely changed my outlook on things. You end up feeling like you have something to contribute. We also have similar senses of humor which made it fun to joke around,” Guthrie said.  

Guthrie, who currently serves as the Joel Cohen Endowed Chair and is a professor in Creighton University’s Department of Computer Science, Design, and Journalism, originally became involved with the organization after returning to Omaha for his undergraduate education at Creighton. He knew lots of people involved in the organization, which is what initially drew him in, as well as the only 1-year “commitment.” When he went down to the organization’s office, it matched him with his “little brother,” Max. 

“Actually, the best decision was the person who matched us. It was a perfect match … I don’t know what she said, but she matched us because she thought we looked a little bit alike. So, a lot of people actually mistake us for actual brother[s]. Not anymore now,” Guthrie said. 

The Big Brothers Big Sisters organization formed in 1977 when Big Sisters International and the Big Brothers Association merged. According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America website, the main mission of the organization is to help “create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.” Many youth participants within the program gain various benefits, from personal to academic.  

“Youth in the program often see improved academic performance, increased self-confidence and reduced risky behaviors. Having a consistent, caring adult mentor helps them build stronger social skills and envision a brighter future,” Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands (Midlands BBBS) said, via an organization news release.  

Guthrie himself brought this mission to life. In this time with Max, Midlands BBBS would provide fun activities for them like bowling, putt-putt golf, Fontanelle Forest – a place they frequented during the program, and when reuniting. These activities allowed the two to bond like real brothers, who are still connected 40 years later. 

“Every time we were able to meet, I was just always glad that I was able to [spend time with him.] It was just incredibly rewarding,” Guthrie said.  

At the same time, as stated by Midland BBBS, their youth recipients were not the only ones benefitting from the program.  

“For mentors, the experience is just as rewarding. Bigs frequently report strengthened leadership and communication skills, greater empathy and a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment from knowing they’ve made a lasting difference in a young person’s life,” Midlands BBBS said via an organization news release. 

According to Midlands BBBS, “Youth in BBBS programs are: 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school and 33% less likely to engage in physical altercations.” However, the data they don’t include is the impact it has on the big brothers and big sisters paired with the youth.  

“I didn’t expect it to be as rewarding as it was. I just thought, ‘Oh let’s see. This [is] going to be an interesting thing,’ but I think I kept getting as much out of it as [Max] was,” Guthrie said. 

Tim and Max are one of the numerous examples of the longevity and impact the program has on its participants.  

“We still talk all the time; he lives in New York now. It’s really nice to see him go from the life that he had when he was young to how he’s living now,” Guthrie said 

Guthrie ended the interview with a message to those that may be contemplating their participation with the program.  

 “If anybody reading this has ever thought of joining Big Brothers Big Sisters, they’re not going to regret it. It’s going to be one of the best choices they ever make,” Guthrie said. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM GUTHRIE

After about a year together, Max and his mother made a T-shirt featuring Max’s face for Tim.