From the Vineyard to College: A Big Sister Match That Lasted a Decade

Over ten years ago, Angela Prout was matched with a shy seven-year-old Little Sister on Martha's Vineyard named Julia, whose family was navigating her older sister's cancer treatment at the time. This month, Julia moved into her college freshman dorm, leving her family home on the Vineyard and carrying one of Prout's old Falmouth Road Race singlets in her suitcase, a going-away gift from the woman who's been her mentor for a decade.

Prout, of East Falmouth, laced up for her fourth consecutive Falmouth Road Race this summer to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands (BBBSCCI). Her fundraising campaign to support young people, like Julia, enrolled in the nonprofit's local one-to-one youth mentoring programs remains open through Sept. 30.

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In fact, their mentoring relationship has outlasted Julia's childhood on the Vineyard, Prout's move to Falmouth, and now Julia's first year of college. The two still swim together at the beach whenever their schedules line up (Lamberts Cove in West Tisbury being their favorite), and still enjoy getting frozen yogurt together, too.

"Not only is the Falmouth Road Race a personal, physical challenge each year, but it underscores my commitment to this incredible agency," says Prout. "I have witnessed the people, from the staff members to the volunteers who mentor as adults for the nonprofit's programs, touch so many lives, including my own, and couldn't run for a better cause. Plus, as a Falmouth resident, the race marks my favorite day of the summer, with such an impressive outpouring of community, camaraderie, and town spirit."

Beyond her role as a Big Sister, Prout also serves on BBBSCCI's Cape and Islands Leadership Council, where she has lent her marketing background to volunteer recruitment, donor outreach, and social media support for events like Blooming Bids for Kids. By day, she runs a local marketing company and is a freelance writer. In her spare time, she's constantly networking, building connections, and encouraging adults to step up as mentors for local youth.

"One mentor can change the direction of a child's life," says JR Mell, Regional Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands. "That kind of relationship builds confidence, opens doors and shows a young person that someone is in their corner. Longtime supporters and champions like Angela help make that possible for more youth across the region."

Vineyard Girl's Decade-Long Mentorship Started During Her Family's Hardest Year

Readers can support Prout's Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands Falmouth Road Road fundraising campaign through Sept. 30 at www.emassbigs.org/frr26.