ST. PETERSBURG — Chris Butler had some initial concerns about his match in the Big Brothers program.
2 Weeks Ago
2 Weeks Ago
2 Weeks Ago
He was selected to mentor Elgin Newton, a sixth-grader at the time who was big into sports. That presented a problem. Butler is not much of a sports fan.
"It was a little nerve-wracking," Butler said. "Of the five things Elgin wanted in a mentor, three of them involved sports. I was thinking, ‘We’re going to have to settle for two out of three.’ "
Butler wondered why Newton even needed a mentor.
After all, Newton had good grades. He was not in trouble. His family life appeared stable.
Still, they stuck together. Through the years, Butler became an extended part of the family, someone who played a pivotal role in helping Newton, now a junior at Boca Ciega, navigate life’s difficulties, including the death of relatives and close friends.
Last week, their bond was rewarded. Butler and Newton were named the Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year for the Tampa Bay chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"Chris has helped me get through so many things," Newton said. "We’ve just blossomed together."
Newton has always been involved in sports, particularly basketball and football. His cousins are Jerquan, Jervon, Jerjuan and Jerzahn Newton, brothers who all play football at Clearwater Central Catholic.
But there was something missing. Newton did not have much of a relationship with his father. His mother, Nicole, wanted him to have a male role model, someone who could keep her son on the right path.
Butler, a senior vice president of investment products at Raymond James, had always thought about mentoring.
Once they were matched, Butler focused on school-related issues. He urged Newton to be organized and punctual and maintain good grades. They became so close, the two switched from a school-based program to one that allowed them to see each other outside of school.
Butler started to learn about Newton’s struggles. In their five years together, Newton had relatives die, others go to jail. Family circumstances forced Newton to live with one family member after another.
Butler once took Newton to the hospital to see a close friend who had been shot.
"Elgin made that seem normal," Butler said. "He’ll take jabs at me on having a life where I haven’t had to face some of the things he’s had to deal with. And he’s absolutely right. I have learned a lot in dealing with those kinds of situations."
Newton has maintained a 3.1 grade-point average. He plays basketball and football with the Pirates. He wants to go to the University of Florida, the same school Butler attended.
This past weekend, Butler took Newton shopping for a suit. The two were attending a board meeting with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program Wednesday.
"It’s cool to meet different people and be in different environments and learn from each other," Newton said. "Chris has been a big influence in my life. You wouldn’t think we’d have much in common, but he really allows me to be myself and that’s big."
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