United Way: KU football player scores as a mentor in the life of his “little”

How many middle school students have a Division I football standout and NFL draft contender show up for their 14th birthday party? Probably not many. But Christopher Mumford isn’t just any middle schooler.

He’s the Little Brother of JaCorey Shepherd, a Kansas University 2014 All-Big 12 First Team cornerback who hopes to play in the NFL after he graduates in May. Ever since the two were matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters about two and a half years ago, Mumford has been hanging out with Shepherd just about every week.

On Mondays, when the KU football team has the day off, Shepherd picks up Mumford after school to do stuff like play video games, get a snow cone or shoot hoops. When Mumford has a track meet or a basketball game, you’ll spot Shepherd in the stands, cheering him on. And when the Jayhawks took the field during football season, Mumford was often at Memorial Stadium, rooting for his Big.

Former Kansas cornerback JaCorey Shepherd, right, became a Big Brother to Christopher Mumford, shown here at his 14th birthday party at Royal Crest Lanes, about two and a half years ago.

About this story

Micki Chestnut is communications director for the United Way of Douglas County, which provides occasional features spotlighting local volunteers and charities supported by the United Way.

Shepherd has been so important to Mumford, and to Big Brothers Big Sisters, that the organization selected him as their United Way of Douglas County 2014 Wallace Galluzzi Outstanding Volunteer. Shepherd is one of 27 community volunteers who will be recognized for their service on Tuesday during the United Way’s 30th Celebration of Volunteers.

Shepherd, who is from Mesquite, Texas, comes from a pretty big family — he has six sisters and brothers. His sophomore year at KU, he was missing his family and looking for a way to get involved in the community when he heard a presentation about being a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“I missed being there for someone,” Shepherd explained. “That’s why I wanted to be a Big, and help a Little. You can never help enough people. Just by taking a little time out of your day, you can help kids in need.”

Angela Helm, Mumford’s mother, says Shepherd has played a profound role in her son’s life.

“I’m a single mom of three kids. So having a positive male figure in his life has been really good for Christopher,” she said. “JaCorey is like a real big brother. He’s like a part of our family.”

Shepherd knows that being a college athlete means you are pretty visible in the community. He’s used this platform to not only make one young man feel pretty special, but also to promote the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“JaCorey is always willing to help out Big Brothers Big Sisters by helping to recruit other male mentors and attending Bigs for a Day events with boys in the community who have yet to find a Big Brother,” said Leilani Tuttle, the organization’s area program director. When you tally it all up, Shepherd has volunteered about 300 hours for the program, she said.

But Shepherd said the benefit of volunteering goes both ways. Being a Big, he said, “has helped me grow. I like being around him, and vice versa. We will stay in touch after I graduate.”