ABOUT US

Mission Statement

Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Vision Statement

All youth achieve their full potential.

Accountability Statement

By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers , and others in the community we are accountable for each child in our program achieving:

* Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships

* Avoidance of risky behaviors

* Educational success

The journey of Big brothers big sisters southern lake michigan region: Building stronger futures together

• 1968: The seeds of change were planted when a passionate group of students at the University of Notre Dame formed an interest group dedicated to mentoring youth. Big Brothers was born, sparking a movement in South Bend, Indiana.
• 1969: The spirit of mentorship expanded as the South Bend Concerned Women’s Group, led by visionary Sylvia DeBoskey, launched Big Sisters. Together, they began transforming lives in the community.
• 1973: In a powerful unification, Big Brothers and Big Sisters merged locally to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph County. This partnership amplified their impact, bringing more hope and opportunity to the area’s youth.
• 1980: Growth and success led to the establishment of our first dedicated office on Madison Street in South Bend. This milestone marked a new chapter of expanded reach and services.
• 1995: Innovation took root with the launch of our first School Mentoring initiative at Perley Elementary School in South Bend. This program set the stage for decades of successful school-based mentorship.
• 2020: A significant merger united Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lower West Michigan with the St. Joseph County agency, creating Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region. This merger broadened our reach, extending our transformative programs to even more communities.
• 2022: Continuing our journey of growth, we merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County. Today, we proudly serve children across 7 Indiana counties and 3 Michigan counties. Our deep-rooted relationships with schools and community centers have been the cornerstone of our success, leading to an expansion of our site-based programs across multiple districts and neighborhood centers.
• 2023 and Beyond: We’ve recently launched a High School Bigs program in Benton Harbor, with plans to roll out several more across our region in the coming year. With each new initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering youth and building a brighter future for all.

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