A newly formed agency is giving more children the opportunity to be positively changed through caring, one on one mentoring relationships. A new regional agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, has been created to replace the two separate agencies that previously served the four counties of the Great Lakes Bay Region. The new organization, led by Executive Director Susan Putnam, will be headquartered in Midland with satellite offices in Bay, Isabella and Saginaw counties.
“We are excited to be able to provide mentors to the children throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region who need a positive adult role model in their lives,” said Putnam. “Our vision is of a vibrant, efficient and effective organization that truly changes children’s lives.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saginaw Bay and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Michigan have been in operation since 1953 and 1954 respectively. In order to create BBBS of the Great Lakes Bay Region, the matches in Saginaw and Bay Counties have been closed and efforts are underway to re-open the matches under the new organization.
“We clearly recognize the benefits of sharing resources and collaborating regionally, and we are excited to join forces to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region,” said Michael Gavin, Board President. “Combining the collective strengths of our agencies is in the best interest of the children who need the services we provide. This partnership will create synergies for our programs and exciting opportunities for our staff, volunteers and the donors who support us.”
In the months leading up to today’s announcement, Big Brothers Big Sisters board members solicited input from business leaders regarding a regional organization. Support has been widespread.
“The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance salutes the leadership, initiative and collaborative efforts of Big Brothers Big Sisters. These efforts will have both immediate and long term benefits to children throughout the region. And, the new organization’s structure and goals are a perfect fit with other organizations working to improve the quality of life in the Great Lakes Bay Region,” said Terry Moore, President and CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance.
In celebration of the new organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region is holding its first online auction to raise funds to support their regional efforts. Visit www.bbbsgreatlakesbay.org to get to the auction site.
Volunteers are needed throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. Call 989-631-5360 or e-mail: info@bbbsgreatlakesbay.orgfor more information.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children with screened volunteer mentors and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.
This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 100-year history. With about 350 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 630,000 children, volunteers and families.
