Fort Lauderdale Attorney Named Florida Big Brother of the Year

News provided by

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County

Mar 03, 2017, 09:36 ET

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida unanimously selected Broward County mentor and Fort Lauderdale attorney Chad Van Horn as the State of Florida Big of the Year. Van Horn, who was chosen from 15,000 mentors statewide, is now in contention for the National Big of the Year awarded by Big Brother Big Sisters of America. The national honor will be announced in April.

Van Horn has mentored Little Brother Desmond, 17, for the past four years as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward.

Chad Van Horn (left) was chosen as the State of Florida Big of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Florida. The Fort Lauderdale attorney is pictured with Desmond, the Little Brother he has mentored for four years through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. Unanimously chosen from 15,000 mentors statewide, Van Horn is now in contention for the National Big of the Year awarded by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Van Horn and Desmond both lost their fathers at a young age, which immediately provided a foundation for a strong and steadfast relationship. While going on fun outings and playing sports have been a priority, Chad also has focused on giving Dez opportunities to learn and grow into a successful young man. And, as Desmond transformed, so did Van Horn.

"I started my journey as a Big Brother to make a difference for a child, but in the end, Desmond changed my life," said Van Horn. "I am proud to be a part of an organization that brought a sense of joy and fulfillment to my life by connecting me with Desmond and his family."

Van Horn, who has served on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward's board of directors for three years, is the founding partner of Van Horn Law Group, P.A., which helps individuals and businesses effectively navigate through bankruptcy and deal with the pressures of debt, foreclosure and loss. Van Horn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center.

"Chad lives the mission of our organization and now, as Florida Big of the Year, will represent the thousands of men across the state who have chosen to make a difference in the life of a child," said Ana Cedeño, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County. "We couldn't be more proud of him."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. For more information, visit www.bbbsbroward.org.

SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County