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YEAR IN REVIEWBBBS continued to see our fair set of challenges throughout 2021. With the rise and fall of COVID cases, we were never able to find a steady rhythm of inquiries of volunteers, leading to being unable to match as many Bigs and Littles together as we had hoped. That said, we have tried to spend time focused on that we can control, our quality metrics.
We are happy to report that BBBS of Washtenaw County received the Quality Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 2021, and again in 2022. We are so proud of this recognition, as our staff have been working hard on a Mentoring Toolkit, to increase our 12-month retention rate by helping Bigs and Littles grow a stronger relationship from their very first meeting. In addition, in 2021, our Board and Staff participated in several Strategic activities, completed an organizational health and DEI survey to better understand the position of the organization and added several important goals to our Strategic Plan. First, to innovate through creating programming for targeted demographics of youth and volunteers wanting to support them. Secondly, to better engage each other (Board & Staff) and the Community through committee work. And thirdly, to strengthen our organization by creating a collaborative Board/Staff committee to advance our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) work. Despite the challenges of the last several years, we have continued to work hard to position ourselves for greater growth and a stronger impact on the mentoring relationships that we create and support. As we move through 2022, we hope and believe in a bigther future, as we know that we are BIGGER TOGETHER. Onward and upward,
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MEET OUR BIGS OF THE YEAR!
BIG SISTER - HANNAH WILGUSYou may have met Hannah and MaKayla as our Match of the Month in October 2021. They have been matched for just over a year, but what an impact a year makes. From starting their relationship during the height of the pandemic to MaKayla working through some really tough challenges these two faced a lot of hurdles in their first year. Rather than pulling them apart, each fresh challenge made them stronger. Now, here they stand one year later, and in Hannah’s own words, “We’re a fantastic team and I wouldn’t change a thing.” This team definitely demonstrates what it means to be “Bigger Together,” and that’s why we are very pleased to announce that Hannah is one of our Bigs of the Year!
When you start a relationship virtually it can be challenging to build a strong connection. Despite these challenges, Mom hoped the relationship would thrive and help boost MaKayla’s self-confidence. Hannah dove right in, and soon found MaKayla and her were similar in many ways. Mom credits the great success of this match to that similarity, and Hannah’s willingness to have some sensitive conversations with MaKayla. Having someone in her corner that both understood her, and could be trusted to show up no matter what, has built MaKayla’s confidence. She knows now no matter how low she feels, Hannah will be there to lift her up, because she matters. When a child learns to work through the hard times in a healthy and supported way, it prepares them to be strong and resilient adults. One thing is clear, Hannah and MaKayla have already learned lifelong lessons together, lessons that will have a lasting impact. Any Big of the Year must advocate for our program as a whole as well as show dedication to their Little. Hannah has supported our program both by participating along with MaKayla in our 5k last fall, and in our, Give BIG fundraiser in November. In fact, Hannah raised more money than any other participating Big and beat her overall fundraising goal. Hannah is dedicated, consistent, and reliable. She shows up for Makayla and for BBBS - every time - and that is what makes her one of our Bigs of the Year! Congrats Hannah, we are so proud to have you as part of our village! |
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BIG BROTHER - CHAO "SUNNY" SUNMeet Sunny and Aidan, these two have been matched for nearly 5 years. Aidan’s mom said, Aidan has found a friend, resource, and someone he can share his life experiences with. She said that Sunny has been such a great support, especially during Aidan’s teenage years even for her. Aidan’s father passed away in 2012 from leukemia which was very hard on the family so having a positive man in his life has been so beneficial. His mom went on to say that he has been able to instill positivity in Aidan’s life and they are so blessed to have him in their lives. Sunny has been a reliable male role model, there to guide Aidan as he grew into a man. While Aidan will soon graduate from high school and age out of our program, the impact Sunny has had on him will certainly be lifelong. And that is what makes Sunny one of our Bigs of the Year!
Aidan is in his senior year of high school, and as a team, this match has been really focused on what’s next for Aidan when it comes to higher education and his future. Sunny has been very instrumental in helping Aidan decide what he is interested in career wise and even gave him his first job this past summer. Aidan worked for Sunny’s business, ‘Back Office Studio’ (BOS) located in Ypsilanti. Aidan’s role was to help with community gatherings and local businesses that partnered with BOS. Sunny and his partner have also had talks with Aidan about college readiness; college applications, deciding on schools, etc. We believe that all young people are full of limitless potential and with Sunny’s support and guidance, Aidan has built the confidence and the skill sets he needs to achieve that potential after he graduates. Beyond being a staunch advocate for Aidan, Sunny also makes time to advocate and support our program as a whole. He has opened up BOS for BBBS events, and shared information about our mission and need for Bigs with his staff and EMU community. He has also accepted a board position in the new year. Sunny’s dedication to both Aidan and our program as a whole makes him the ideal pick for Big of the Year. Congratulations Sunny, thank you for being a part of our village! |
IGNITE POTENTIALOur mission is to help youth achieve their fullest potential. That journey begins with a match. When a Big and Little begin their relationship, the Big, with the help of Match Support, guides the Little towards realizing the limitless nature of their own inherent potential.
YOUTH SERVEDMany times, household, neighborhood and other factors, can create challenges to having the time and resources to activate that inherent potential inside a youth. And we have the utmost respect for parents/guardians who trust us with helping to support the growth of their child by matching them with a Big that can give them some additional one-on-one time, opportunities and experiences that can help ignite that fire
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OUR BIGSWe are so incredibly grateful for the time and talent of these individuals. We know that without them stepping up, stepping in and walking along side their Little, as they navigate this changing world together, that we would accomplish very little. They are the backbone of our organization and a million thank you's could not express the depth of our appreciation.
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Michelle Abbey
Mo Al-Bodour Javier Alberto-Sowers Bonamego Erika Aldrich Sarah Alsomairy Haley Antoine Jeff Arnold Lauren Arquette Jasimen Bailey Amy Bank Margaret Banker Marissa Barman Alesha Barnes Kyle Barocko Penelope Beamer Tara Bell Paul Bernard Alexa Bernard Zachary Berquist Faaiza Bhatti Hannah Eve Bihlmeyer Isaiah Bingham Jeffrey Bissonnette Jessica Bouma Thomas Bourque Laura Bowler Perry Boyd Noah Brayton Megan Brooks-Planck Andrea Buckley Ceren Budak Julian Bueno Melaina Bukowski Steven Burkhalter Charles Butz Cassandra Campbell Alex Carl Madison Carlson Lori Chapman Simone Charles Erik Charlson Ashly Chimner Will Chodos Taylor Clayborne Gomez Chelsea Cloyd Nathanael Clyde Amy Cole Katelynn Conedera Patricia Connors Brian Cook Carolyn Corbett Carmen Coronado Elyse Coughlin Kelly Crenna Nancy Culotta Katie Cunningham LaVerne Curley Jordyn Czarny Michael Daniel Mohammad Dar Lauren Day Thomas Demmon Brittany Dempsey Laura Dorris Owen Dorsey Mary Duarte Thibault Alyshia Dyer Robin Edelstein Robin Edelstein Rachel Elias Carl Engelke Coreen Enright Jill Esau Deena Etter Veronica Ewing |
SHannah Faccio
Emily Fischbach Cara Foxley Taylor Fracassa Bryan Gaines Hannah Garavaglia Sherri Garrett Stephanie Gatica Leah Girard Drew Gissendaner Aaron Gladstein John Goodell Elyse Graessley Corey Grassmyer Joanna Gross Nicole Hadler Benjamin Hall Matthew Hall Shawn Hallett Christopher Hamme Keila Harris Karin Haynes Nicole Hill Tyler Hill Elizabeth Hilton Jack Hoyle Adam Hughes Marsha-Kay Hutchinson Tressia Hutchinson Casey Jackson Courtney Jacobsen Phillip Jamison Stephanie Jeffrey Trevor Joachim Raiven Johnson Crystal Johnson Jayson Johnson Gloria Jones Laura Kaufman Cody Kelly Brian Kempa Erin Kessler Daeho Kim Michael Kinloch Brendan Kirwin Tabetha Kolodzaike Greta Kruse Abigail "Abby" Kumagai Ryan Larson Jeremiah LaRue David Loki Nick Ludka Francy Luna Diaz Anita Luong Sarah Luttinen Karen Mack Lamont Manley Thomas Maulbeck Kristin Maurer Emmanuelle Maurer Betsy McCallister Daniel "Parnell" McCarter Lauren McGillicuddy Daniel Minear John Mirsky Samuel Moijueh Antoinette Moncrieff Michelle Moore Jacob Murphy Michelle Murray Usha Naidu Carissa Najera Brian Neher Danielle Nelson Ian Nieh |
Jessica Nino
Kartik Pallavajhala Clayton Parsons Sarah Patak Timothy Peruski Kurt Peterson Eric Phelps Madison Prinzing Alisha Punjabi Jessica Ramsay Ryan Rebernick Joanie Recker Lindsay Richardson Ramsay Ritchie Amber Rose Elizabeth Roy Laney Rupp Jacob Saldlinger Kathryn Sanborn LJ Sarten William Sassack Ellen Schlegelmilch Karl Schlegelmilch Lisa Schmidtke Kristine Schroeder Randy Schwemmin Amy Seidl Rajiv Shahani Khurum Sheikh Jenna Silverman Scott Sinclair Joshua Slaviero Ren Snyder Terrance Solan Andaiye Spencer Darlyn Stafford Tymi Staub Susi Stiles Chao "Sunny" Sun Dustin Swarthout Deborah Swartz Delawrence Sykes Megan Taylor Peter Thomas Kyra Thomas Marie Toft Heather Toma Samantha Trout James "Jim" Valloric Lotte van den Goor Carali Van Otteren Vanessa Vitso Gianni Walker Jerry Wang Zakiya Wells Nicole Welsh Ole Wendroth Mackenzie Wigginton Hannah Wilgus Samantha Williams Shaleann Williams Michael Withers Laurin Wolf Debbie Wollard Scott Wood Micah Woodruff Jeff Wyatt Evalyn Yanna Sydney Young Daniel Zahn Stephani Zakutansky Chelsea Zantop John Zientko Chiara Zuccarino-Crowe |
EMPOWER POTENTIALAs matches grow through time spent together, discovering shared interests and experiencing new things, they begin to build trust and respect. A caring reliable Big helps a Little build confidence. They begin to believe in themselves, and truly own their potential.
MENTORING IMPACT |
At the 2021 National Conference, we were proud to be recognized with a Quality Award for exceeding the national average for 12 month match retention by over 5%. In addition to the award criteria, our staff accomplished increases in several other key metrics.
PROGRAM SUPPORTS
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OUR EVENTS
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As part of Big Brothers Big Sisters Big 30 Celebration, BBBS brought back a beloved event from years gone by - Golf Fore Kids’ Sake! On May 24th, sponsors, friends, colleagues, Board members and staff gathered at the exclusive Barton Hills Golf Course to celebrate and support BBBS while golfing 18 holes on one of Michigan’s premier courses. Under sunny skies and in the safety of the outdoors, Golf Fore Kids’ Sake was the first event BBBS was able to hold in-person since the outbreak of Covid-19. It was wonderful to be together with old friends and welcome new friends to the BBBS family.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Magic Makers
Comerica PSMI Dream Maker Judy and Steve Dobson Chelsea Rhone Mullick Foundation |
Wish Maker
Friends of BBBS from White Lake and Northville Hills Golf Clubs Mortgage One Match Maker Dominos Lori and Keith Hayward Hylant Old National Bank |
Buddy Maker
Kohls The John E. Green Company The Print Giants UMCU |
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On September 12th, BBBS was thrilled to once again host A Fall Evening with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Presented by The Jones Family Foundation and kindly hosted by Wayne and Shelly Jones at the Boathouse at Lakefields, this was a special night to celebrate mentorship and appreciate each other’s company. An exquisite location, combined with amazing food, an exciting live auction, bourbon bar, live music, and moving words from former Big-Robyn, and Little-Matt, whose lives were forever changed by BBBS, left guests feeling inspired.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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Presenting Sponsor
The Jones Family Foundation Magic Maker HealthCap Helping Hands Dream Makers AvFuel Jake Haas The Janeth Fund The Mullick Foundation Ron Weiser |
Wish Makers
Stephanie and Bruce Benz The Bob and Jan Lyons Foundation Richard Kennell The Martin Family Foundation Norma and Dick Sarns The VonVoigtlander Family Foundation Match Makers Bank of Ann Arbor Level One Bank Merrill and John Dudley The Promanus Group Rebecca and Randy Tisch Jackie and Steve Tracy Julia and Adam Williams |
Buddy Makers
Chris and Herb Black Judy and Steve Dobson Hylant Insurance Nancie and Don Loppnow Sally and Tim Petersen Eileen Weiser |
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DEFEND POTENTIALWhen a match builds on a strong foundation of trust and respect they form a deep bond. That bond reinforces a Little's confidence and sense of self. Littles who enjoy a long, successful match make better choices and become the Defenders of their own potential.
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2021 GRANTS
Our thanks to all the funders who invested in the limitless potential of youth.
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Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation - Youth Council
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America - Juvenile Justice Initiative DTE Foundation Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation |
J. Ferrantino Foundation
J.F. Ervin Foundation James & Faith Knight Foundation Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation |
Mentor Michigan
PNC Foundation Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation United Way of Washtenaw County |
2021 INVESTING IN CHILDRENS' CIRCLE MEMBERS
Investing in Children Circle members have committed to giving $1,000+ annually for five years. This commitment allows BBBS to better plan for the future of serving young people in our community.
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Lizann and Gerry Anderson**
Kiana and David Barfield Traci and Chris Coffman Anne Cooper Judy and Steve Dobson Jake Haas |
Jeff Hauptman
Melanie and Curtis Hoff Kristine and Shawn Kerns Mary and Bill Kinley Cindy and Mike Masini** Debby and Tom McMullen |
Leslie and Terry Murphy
Lisa and Mike O'Connell Sheena Plocharczyk Joe Ruicci** Susan and Ren Snyder** |
** Indicates a completed 5 year commitment. We are forever grateful for our ICC members.
BOARD MEMBERS
Our thanks to these community leaders who volunteer their time and expertise to support our mission.
Board of DirectorsJack Carver
Kendall Cislo Gregg Hammerman Terry Murphy Megan Rodgers Derek Shinska* Chao Sun* Levi Taylor Maurice Washington LaTonya Woods |
Honorary BoardChris Conlin*
Anne Cooper Steve Dobson Jake Haas Mark Ouimet Laurita Thomas * Current or Former Big
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STAFF MEMBERS
We are so grateful for this hard working team of defenders!
Executive DirectorJennifer Spitler, LMSW
Events ManagerAnne Marie Veneroni
Marketing & Engagement ManagerDanni Murphy
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Mentoring ManagerAmanda Bitsoli
YCS Site CoordinatorRachel Sulkowski
Administrative AssistantDanielle Christian
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Enrollment CoordinatorsJasmine Edwards
Linda Goble Mentoring CoordinatorsSam Francey
Crystal Johnson Sam Tully |
WE ARE SO GREATFUL
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To our volunteers, who show up and and share small moments with a young person, we could not do what we do without you. Thank you for your time, your patience, for the lessons you teach and the lessons you learn. We are grateful for you each and every day.
And to our donors, who give financial support to ensure that we can continue to advance our mission, you are piece of every match we make. Thank you all for standing with us today to defend the potential of tomorrow. |
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Location:
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Contact Usinfo@bbbswashtenaw.org
PHONE734-975-0933
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