New England Patriots' Kendrick Bourne Supports Youth Mentoring

BOSTON, Mass. – New England Patriots Wide Receiver Kendrick Bourne, Super Bowl LIV’s receiving yards leader for the San Francisco 49ers, is paying it forward for the mentorship he has received throughout his life by joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts to support year-round youth mentoring programs. He will serve as an honorary Board Member for the nonprofit and engage mentoring matches, referred to as Bigs and Littles, throughout the year.

The state’s leading one-to-one youth mentoring program partners with under-resourced families to provide children with one-to-one relationships with caring adult mentors who help them reach their fullest potential. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts creates matches based on shared interests, geography and personality and serves as a consistent resource for Bigs, Littles and their families. The organization welcomes Bigs and Littles of all races, ethnicities, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities and serves as a bridge between communities and community partners, helping to address larger social issues, such race and education gaps.

“It is so important to have a role model in your life who can help to explain right from wrong, offer resources you otherwise may not have access to and get you down the right path so that you can get to where you want to be,” says Bourne. “Especially for young people of color, I am an example of someone who knew where I wanted to be – a football player – but, started to make bad choices as a teen. I was fortunate to have a support system that helped me to get me to where I am today. Many kids aren’t as lucky.”

Growing up in Portland, Ore., Bourne always had the love and support of his family, including his father and uncle who he says are two of the most influential people in his life. In high school, he also had the support of his football coach who helped set him straight his junior year after getting involved with the wrong crowd and making bad decisions that could have jeopardized his future. Ultimately, the mentors in Bourne’s life gave him the tools he needed to change the trajectory of his life. He is now committed to give young people the same support he was given.

“My mentors taught me that going to school, taking care of my body, not going out late with friends, having structure, working hard and making sacrifices was the path to get me here,” says Bourne. “If spending time and having tough and honest conversations with young boys and girls helps them to reach their fullest potential, I am all in. The more I give, the more I become blessed.”

As an honorary Board Member, Kendrick will attend meetings and engage with the agency throughout the year through recruitment, fundraising and event opportunities.

“Kendrick is a mentor at heart and his story is not unlike many of the Littles we serve,” says Mark O’Donnell, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts President and CEO. “What he has accomplished personally and professionally throughout his career makes him an incredible addition to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts community as we strive to serve more youth and families across the region.”

Currently, community-based matches are meeting in-person and socially distant only when the Big, Little, and guardian are all comfortable, following state and CDC guidelines. All site-based and campus-based mentoring programs remain online. Since March 2020, more than 600 new matches have been made virtually.

In its 70th year, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 20,000 matches. The nonprofit is now enrolling and matching Littles and Bigs virtually. For more information, to register your children or to become a volunteer, visit: www.emassbigs.org.

About Big Brother Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of nearly 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 70 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 20,000 matches. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org.

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