Juliette Moore,
A Hero In Our Midst

Often great things come out of adversity. For Juliette Moore, having a kidney transplant made her think twice about putting off her interest in getting involved in community activities and actually take the time to “celebrate life” and give something back.

This high energy Director of Campus Recreation at the University of Arizona had just turned 50 and thought that maybe she was too old to be a Big Sister. As the favorite aunt to more than 60 nieces and nephews and a self-proclaimed “kid at heart”, she couldn’t wait to spoil a “little” sister, and her local Big Brothers Big Sisters assured her that she was just the right age and could make a real difference in a child’s life.

What Juliette didn’t realize was how much of a difference her “Little”, Monique, who was 13 when they met, would make in hers. From the start, Juliette couldn’t wait for their Saturdays together, whether it was time spent listening to Monique talk about herself and sharing her feelings about difficult family issues, or visits with Juliette’s family and friends, and especially the dog, Buddy, all of whom took Monique in as their own. It is a special bond that has grown stronger since being matched two years ago.

“I was the youngest of 13 children,” explains Juliette. “Being Monique’s Big Sister has given me the chance to be the older one for a change. I really enjoy her company and we have fun going to the movies, singing, taking trips to the zoo and just hanging out.”

For Monique, being with Juliette gives her time to relax and be a carefree teenager. “I love to be with her, no matter what,” says Monique. “I never feel alone or afraid around her. She gives me hope and confidence, especially when she gives me advice on how to handle a problem.”

This past Christmas marked a high point for them both. Monique’s family situation had deteriorated and she was living with her great-grandfather, known as "Ta-ta." Juliette wanted a family-style Christmas and asked his permission to have Monique spend the holiday weekend with her and a niece who had been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. From the Christmas card they sent to friends featuring a group photo of the “sisters”, Juliette’s niece, and Buddy, to singing together at Midnight Mass, exchanging gifts, and cooking a wonderful meal, it was a magical time. And they made sure to bring “Ta-ta” his Christmas dinner.

Monique’s great-grandfather, “Ta-ta” was able to see how much this relationship has meant to his great-granddaughter. And before he passed away this July, he said, “Juliette inspires Monique to be a better person, to do well in school and to be active in anything that she puts her mind to. I’d have to say that these two were a match made in heaven-- that it was destiny that they got together.”

Monique would agree. She now knows what it is to have someone who really cares about her, someone who has given her so many exciting, fun experiences and shown her how to live every day to its fullest. And she has a great friend who accepts her for who she is.

“It seems like she has always been there for me and I didn’t notice how BIG a part of my life was missing until I met her. She has taught me so much. She loves me for who I really am and not what everybody wants me to be. She is the older sister that I never would have dreamed to be so perfect.”