LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- At first glance pilot Roger Marlin and 15-year-old Nandre might seem pretty normal, but you get to know this dynamic duo and you'll find an unbreakable bond.
Nandre explains, "He has been there for me ever since I can remember. Since that day."
Marlin adds, "It has been as much of a change in my life as it has it has been in Nandre's.
Marlin's relationship with Nandre started seven years ago. Nandre was just a third grader.
He says, "I got involved in this program to meet a person that could be my friend."
That program is Big Brothers/Big Sisters, an organization with the goal of mentoring kids and changing lives for the better.
"Our discussions have changed a lot," says Marlin. They started out talking about what was on TV to know about what college to go to. He plays football for Jacksonville High School."
Nandre explains, "I learned that you know growing up without a male figure all the time that it's ok because some people show you what it really is to be a man."
From learning to swim to adding and subtracting, they've done it all.
"I am extremely proud of Nandre," says Marlin. It's an unlikely friendship to some people, but to this pair they're like family.
Marlin adds, "I hope one day I get an invitation to his graduation. I hope that I get an invitation to his graduation from college and now I hope I get an invitation to his wedding."
History of BBBS of Central Arkansas:
Five area churches began the Big Brothers Program in Little Rock to address the needs of young men living in the Highland Park area. These churches included Christ the King,
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Churches, Grace Presbyterian, St. Andrews, and Westover Hills Presbyterian. The first group of Big Brothers came from these churches. In 1968, Big Brothers of Pulaski County was incorporated, and in 1972, became a full affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
In 1983, the organization began serving girls and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pulaski County. Growth in areas outside of Little Rock provided the opportunity to change the name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas in 1998. The year 2008 served as the 40th Year Anniversary for the one-to-one mentoring organization. It is a recognized leader in the community in regards to mentoring.