SAN ANTONIO — John Urban and Caron are an unlikely pair of siblings.  

“He’s doing all the right things and taking the right paths and so I love it,” Urban said. 

The kind words were reciprocated. 

“Relationships are important, but like these last two years and the relationship I build with John is something I’m going to keep for as long as I can,” Caron said. 

They are a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, a nonprofit created for youth to have positive adult role models in their lives. 

Caron was one of 10 littles who received a $400 gift card to shop at Nordstrom Rack.

“He’s shown me so many things that I wouldn’t have ever seen without this place,” Caron said. 

A shopping spree is just one of the way organizations like BBBS work to have an impact.

According to the organization's impact report, after 18 months of spending time with a big, littles — as the children are called in this program — are 46% less likely to use drugs and 52% less likely to skip school compared to those who are not in this program.

CEO Denise Barkhurst was concerned the program would be hindered.

The City of San Antonio’s 2023-24 proposed fiscal year budget cut BBBS funding by 56%.

“I see that it’s $50,000 and I know how much we’re getting since 2013, $113,000,” Barkhurst said. 

The San Antonio Department of Human Services (DHS) told Spectrum News 1 in a statement the process is competitive and that 54 agencies applied for funding for 86 programs. 

“It seems like there could be a different process and different relationship. This is an entity that has proven itself,” Barkhurst said.  

DHS says the overall application score, ranking and amount of funding available fluctuate.

For two straight weeks Barkhurst and others had spoken up before the council, in hopes they’ll reconsider their budget. 

“I’m keenly, keenly aware of the impact that the cut is going to have on the youth and the families we are going to serve and of course we are going to try and raise more money, but we are constantly trying to raise more money because there is a waiting list,” Barkhurst said. 

Urban said if the city doesn’t reconsider, he’ll volunteer his time to help raise funds. 

“Either way, it won’t go away,” Urban said. 

The testimonies moved City Council so much, they created a budget amendment that would give Big Brothers Big Sisters the full $113,349 funding. 

“So appreciative of the city for doing this for us. We do big things here, and we are going to continue to do them now, thanks to everybody,” Barkhurst said.