|
Our MissionOur mission is to provide all children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, FOREVER.
Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful , mentorship matches between volunteer "Bigs" and children "Littles", ages 7 to 21. We then provide the necessary training, resources and support necessary for those matches to succeed. Our Programs Start Something Here's the proof. National research has shown that positive relationships between Littles and their Bigs have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives. By participating in our programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are: -more confident in their schoolwork performance -able to get along better with their families -46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs -27% less likely to begin using alcohol -52% less likely to skip school. |
Our Staff:
From our Executive Team to our Board of Directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a compassionate and dedicated group of individuals on our side that are willing to do whatever it takes to help change children’s lives for the better.
|
|
|
Chelsey Tweedale Match Support and Enrollment Specialist chelsey@bbbsmqt.org Brianna Johnson Social Work Intern brianna@bbbsmqt.org |
Our Board of Directors
President: Adele Jacobson, Branch Manager, Honor Credit Union
Vice President/Secretary: Amy Lerlie, Executive Director, AMCAB
Treasurer: Emily Rushford, UPPCO
Don Mourand, Former Superintendent, Negaunee Public Schools
Rick Sanville, Executive Director, UP Family Solutions
Michelle Khouli, Fund Development Professional
Caralee Swanberg, Lake Superior Community Partnership
Ann Gonyea, Pastor, Eden Lutheran Church
Lori Rivord, RTI Surgical
Delaney Lovett, Michigan Works
Gwyneth Harrick, Northern Michigan University Student
Vice President/Secretary: Amy Lerlie, Executive Director, AMCAB
Treasurer: Emily Rushford, UPPCO
Don Mourand, Former Superintendent, Negaunee Public Schools
Rick Sanville, Executive Director, UP Family Solutions
Michelle Khouli, Fund Development Professional
Caralee Swanberg, Lake Superior Community Partnership
Ann Gonyea, Pastor, Eden Lutheran Church
Lori Rivord, RTI Surgical
Delaney Lovett, Michigan Works
Gwyneth Harrick, Northern Michigan University Student
Our History:
In 1904, a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement. By 1916, Big Brothers had spread to 96 cities across the country.
At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters.
Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers of America and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
More than a century later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders’ vision of bringing caring mentors into the lives of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states … and in 35 countries around the world!
When people think of mentoring, they think of Big Brothers Big Sisters. That’s because for more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has worked to develop a youth mentoring program that works. Our experienced approach to recruiting, screening, matching and supporting our mentoring relationships has resulted in thousands of lasting relationships, and helped change the lives of young people across the country.
At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters.
Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers of America and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
More than a century later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders’ vision of bringing caring mentors into the lives of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states … and in 35 countries around the world!
When people think of mentoring, they think of Big Brothers Big Sisters. That’s because for more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has worked to develop a youth mentoring program that works. Our experienced approach to recruiting, screening, matching and supporting our mentoring relationships has resulted in thousands of lasting relationships, and helped change the lives of young people across the country.
