Now McFarland said she's busy training for her new job and learning more about the organization from a new angle.
"Even after only a few days, I've been able to sit in on a few things and just hear the stories around here," McFarland said.
"Already there was one little boy who was having a tough time at school until his Big Brother came into his life. They've been matched for three months now, and already he's been going to school every day.
"Hearing that made me really proud that I'd chosen to join this organization," she said. "I knew before, but after that I was so glad I'd chosen to join."
Both will stay "Big Sisters"
Both Suttles and McFarland will keep their jobs as "Big Sisters" themselves.
"I would be very sad if I had to give that up," McFarland said.
And what does a Big Sister do with her little sister?
"A lot of times we eat dinner and talk, go to get our nails painted, eat cupcakes with her brother," McFarland said. "We get to have conversation and spend time together.
"Often children in our society - they're not always taught their value or given the time they deserve," she continued.
"A lot of the children in our program are from single-parent homes. And this program puts another adult in the child's life who says: You are important to me, and you're so important that I'm going to spend time with you every week."
An amazing difference in a child's life
Those few hours can make an amazing difference in a child's life, Suttles said.
"A lot of our children suffer from poor self-worth and low self-confidence, and sometimes they don't feel really recognized by the world," she said.
"It kind of sparks an imagination. They feel more cared about and praised more frequently. And from that experience, they take more of an interest in their community and school and academics.
"There's no magic formula," Suttles continued. "It's truly just developing a one-on-one relationship that makes such an impact."
And they've seen that impact as the children have grown up, she added.
"Over 10 years ago, 15 years ago, those 'Littles' have gone on to finish their high school requirements," Suttles said.
"They're working in the community, raising their children, and they remain true to the values that their 'Bigs' taught them."
