POWERGRAMS

23 23 COMMUNITY Though her "little sister" has changed schools seven times in eight years, Allison Allen has stuck by her, walking by her side and supporting her every step of the way. "Allison had the perfect timing when entering my life," said 17-year-old Destiny. "I was young – just a little fourth grade girl, but so broken at such a young age. And that's when Allison found me. God will send you your greatest miracle right before your eyes, and that's what he did when he gave me Allison." Allen remembers those early days well. "Destiny was a really quiet child who didn't volunteer information," said Allen, Mobile Division risk management analyst. "Instead, she made me pull it out of her. I had to ask lots of questions, talk to counselors to try and get a feel for her and be patient. Now, she's asking how I'm doing and wants to see pictures of my kids. She has grown into a little lady." Allen met Destiny in 2012 when the two were paired through Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of South Alabama. The largest one-on-one mentoring program in the region annually serves more than 600 children and 1,800 people in four counties. In recognition of their long relationship, resilience and commitment through the years, BBBS of South Alabama named Allen and Destiny its 2020 Big and Little Sisters of the Year. "Allison's consistency and dedication to her little sister has pushed Destiny to higher heights and greater achievements," said Alecia Johnson, BBBS of South Alabama match specialist. "Allison has stayed in contact with the agency, going over and beyond the call of duty to help her little sister even through her own life changes. Many of our littles have unpredictable personal lives, and having someone like Allison in their life who they know will be there no matter what they go through is what it's all about." Allen was also honored because she has gone the extra mile through the years by helping to raise funds and encouraging others to volunteer for the organization, said BBBS of South Alabama CEO Aimee Risser. BBBS of South Alabama is recognizing Allen and Destiny, along with the Big and Little Brothers of the Year, in November, although the platform will be different in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. From mentor to friend Soon after joining Alabama Power and finishing graduate school, Allen volunteered for BBBS and was matched with her first little sister in 2010. When that mentoring relationship ended, Allen became Destiny's big sister. As a Mobile Division Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) member, she volunteered for BBBS of South Alabama's school-based mentoring program. Allen visited with her little sister for an hour once a week at the school until COVID-19 changed the world. As of September, they had not met together but had kept in touch through texts and Facetime. Allen said she hopes to begin meeting with her little sister outside the classroom this fall. "Before COVID-19, we had been talking about 'Little Sister' is growing up; Allen met Destiny in 2012.

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