BBBSNCA was introduced to Little Brother, Mason, at Gaithersburg Middle School when his counselor advised of his need for a mentor.  At that time, Mason was experiencing poor academic performance due to limited parent support at home, his lack of self-confidence, and his underdeveloped social skills. Mason’s mother, Samantha, has not been able to provide the necessary support she would like to give to her son due to the development of a severe speech impediment caused by a car accident. Mason’s father left their family when he was only 2 years old.  Even though Mason receives encouragement from his mother, Mason always wished he had a male role model in his life.

Mason needed a mentor that was able to encourage and willingly help Mason reach his potential. He was introduced to Big Brother Lt. Colonel Warren Christopher in 2014 and Mason learned they had a lot in common. They soon became friends, brothers, and, more importantly, Warren became the father-figure Mason needed him to be.

Warren was born in Alabama in a single parent home. He was faced with many challenges as the oldest sibling, living in an unstable environment. Warren served in the US Army for 20 years, worked as the chief of staff for the Department of Interior’s Business Center, and previously ran for Congress for Maryland’s 4^th Congressional District. Currently, he is the CEO of Clean Sweep, Fresh Start-Black boys Strong. Warren is a single father with two daughters. Despite his upbringing, he feels he has brought the very best to his daughters and believes he can bring a caring and positive attitude to help Mason achieve his goals. Warren is very involved in Mason’s school activities and goes to many of Mason’s football games, where he is the quarterback. They both enjoy visiting the Smithsonian museums and the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore; indoor rock climbing, baseball, as well as working together on Mason’s various school projects. Warren has even encouraged Mason to exercise and eat healthy so that he develops good habits early in his life.

This mentorship relationship betweenWarren and Mason was meant to be. Their journey is still unfolding with a lot of positive expectations!