Have you seen the movie "The Blind Side?" It's a heartwarming and inspirational true(ish) story about how one person makes a meaningful and impactful difference in a child's life and vice versa. I got choked up a little when I watched it (OK, so I cried giant ugly-face tears and my kids made fun of me). But the truth is, I cried because every child should have the same opportunities to thrive, learn and grow without financial or societal impediments. So when I heard about Tim Tinker and Kobe Brown, Overbrook Road, I got choked up. Their journey is incredible and beautiful and proves you don't need to be crazy wealthy to change the world for one person — and vice versa.
Tim has a big heart naturally, but he was further instilled with a strong sense of service to others through his education at Loyola Blakefield. He knew he wanted to help others and decided the best way was to become a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters. "I knew I had time to offer and I like kids so it was an easy decision. I was also open to taking on a real challenge, a tougher case, so to speak." And that's when Tim met Kobe.
Kobe and Tim couldn't have been from more diverse backgrounds. Tim attended private schools and was raised in Cockeysville with two parents while Kobe lived with his mother in the city between vacant, boarded-up rowhomes and attended a charter school that had little tolerance for inquisitive little boys.
In the beginning stages of their relationship, Tim and Kobe went fishing, visited parks and museums, and attended community events. Over time, the pair started spending more time together. "At the core, it is about making sure that kids know that they have someone who cares about them," explained Tim about Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Then, Tim enrolled Kobe in a week of summer camp at St. Pius X. Kobe thrived. So with the full support of Kobe's mom, Tim enrolled Kobe in St. Pius X for middle school because Tim is right in that "all parents want a good future for their kids." Kobe loved his new school and the teachers were very supportive. He graduated from St. Pius X in 2013 and Tim and Kobe knew whatever came next would be critical to Kobe's success path. Tim worked with Kobe's mother to assume legal guardianship and enrolled Kobe in Towson High School, where he continues to thrive as a sophomore. He joined JV Football in the fall and was quickly asked to join varsity. He's also the first male cheerleader at THS in 15 years.
Tim claims he's no saint for helping Kobe, "my friends will quicklydispel that opinion! Normal people in normal circumstances can do what I'm doing ... no 'Blind Side' money or lifestyle is required. There is simply no substitute for investing large amounts of time if one wants real results. Money, not so much."
Want to know how to get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters or have a message for Tim and Kobe? Send me an email. And if you have something upworthy to share, I'd love to hear from you.