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 story of BBBS SLMR: Expanding mentorship across northern indiana, southern michigan, and beyond to build stronger futures
- 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.
- 1972: In Elkhart, Mayor Dan Hayes united Juvenile Probation and local youth-serving organizations to tackle rising incidents of delinquent behavior. With seed funding from Heart City Kiwanis and support from businesses, organizations, and individuals, Big Brothers was launched in Elkhart County to provide boys with positive role models and guidance.
- 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: A High School Bigs program launched in Benton Harbor, connecting high school students with opportunities to mentor younger peers, with plans to expand these programs further in the coming year.
- 2024 and Beyond: The innovative Big Duos program was introduced, allowing friends to team up and mentor a child together, making mentorship more accessible and collaborative. With each new initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering youth and building a brighter future for all.
Our Staff
2024 Board of directors
Drew Warden | President | Lippert
Rebecca Ward | Vice President | TLDB
Brian Hake | Treasurer | Kruggel Lawton & Co, LLC
Sandi Pontius | Board Secretary | SJ Health System
Michael Anthony | Golden Years Financial
Eric Becker | Whirlpool Corp.
George Bonin | Trutility
Brent Miller | Everence
Curtis Gunter | Forest River
Vickie Wagner | Community Representative
TJ Jorgensen | TJ21 Media
Sarah Milovich | Carleton, Inc.
Adrian Riley | City of Elkhart Police Dept.
Amelia Schroeder | Whirlpool Corp.
Larry Sehy | Community Representative
Nathan Vogel | Inovateus Solar
2024 Advisory Council
Bob Morton | Berrien County | University of Notre Dame
Bob Rusboldt | Porter County | Community Representative
Gage Hudak | St. Joseph County | Bradley Company
Minda Clemens | Elkhart County | Welch Packaging
Make a Difference Today
When you support Big Brothers Big Sisters, you positively impact the young people in your community.