annual report
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2025 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan
BREAKING NEWS |
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Big Brothers Big Sisters released a national report, A Future Built on Mentorship: Why Mentoring is the Essential Infrastructure Our Future Needs Now, that makes a clear and compelling case for why mentorship is essential for the future of our communities, workforce, and society.
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2025 YEAR IN REVIEW:THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER
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Dear Friends of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan,
Toni Morrison once wrote, "If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else." That sentence is the heartbeat of this organization, and it is the standard by which we measure everything we do.
We begin by extending our sincere gratitude to Jennifer Spitler, who dedicated over 20 years of service to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her commitment to this organization and the young people we serve is deeply appreciated, and we wish her well in her next chapter.
We also pause to honor the memory of H. Keith Mobley, a steadfast champion of this work whose belief in young people helped ensure that more children were seen, supported, and given the opportunity to imagine a brighter future. His love for this work, and for the people who pour into it every day, lives on in everything we do.
In 2025, we served 358 young people across Southeast Michigan. We created 110 new matches between caring mentors and children who needed someone to show up for them. We expanded to 10 school-based programs, launched our Leadership Academy, and held our first Leadership Camp Retreat. Our mentoring program grew with intention and momentum. And more than 1,400 people expressed interest in becoming a Big, telling us clearly that the community is ready and willing to show up for our young people.
Beyond the matches themselves, we showed up for our community in meaningful and tangible ways. In 2025, we hosted 54 group events, all grounded in our REACH framework of recreation, education, arts, community, and health and wellness. From Keep Connected sessions and therapeutic mentoring trainings to focus groups for Bigs, parents and guardians, Big Success trainings, back-to-school supply distribution sites, and our fall food drive, our programming reached every corner of the families we serve. During the holiday season alone, we had the privilege of supporting more than 120 families through Adopt-a-Family. Every event was an act of community, and a reminder that mentoring is about so much more than a one-on-one match.
The evidence for this work has never been clearer. In January 2026, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America released "A Future Built on Mentorship: Why Mentoring is the Essential Infrastructure Our Future Needs Now". This report positions mentoring not as a charity, but as foundational infrastructure for our communities, our workforce, and our future. The research shows that mentored young people are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 52% less likely to skip school, and 20% more likely to enroll in college. And every $1 invested in mentoring yields $3 in public benefit. Yet today, one in three young people in America is growing up without access to a mentor. At BBBS of Southeast Michigan, we are committed to changing that, one match at a time, right here in our community.
Our leadership, board and staff alike, is united by a shared belief that this work is about more than mentoring. We come to this moment shaped by the very communities we serve, grounded in research, lived experience, and an unwavering commitment to young people. Our board brings vision, resources, and relationships to this mission. Our staff brings heart, expertise, and daily dedication. Together, we are building an organization worthy of the trust this community has placed in us. BBBS is not just a mentoring organization. It is infrastructure for possibility.
In 2026, we are re-imagining what this work can look like. We are repositioning BBBS for greater visibility, deeper community collaboration, and expanded reach across Southeast Michigan. We believe there is no such thing as too many resources for young people, and we are committed to building the partnerships that prove it.
We are grateful for every donor, volunteer, partner, and advocate who made 2025 possible. The power you invested in this organization has empowered someone else. Together, we are building pathways to the social-emotional, economic, and educational advancement of young people and families across Southeast Michigan. After more than 100 years of this work, we know one thing to be true: when young people thrive, whole communities are transformed.
Toni Morrison once wrote, "If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else." That sentence is the heartbeat of this organization, and it is the standard by which we measure everything we do.
We begin by extending our sincere gratitude to Jennifer Spitler, who dedicated over 20 years of service to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her commitment to this organization and the young people we serve is deeply appreciated, and we wish her well in her next chapter.
We also pause to honor the memory of H. Keith Mobley, a steadfast champion of this work whose belief in young people helped ensure that more children were seen, supported, and given the opportunity to imagine a brighter future. His love for this work, and for the people who pour into it every day, lives on in everything we do.
In 2025, we served 358 young people across Southeast Michigan. We created 110 new matches between caring mentors and children who needed someone to show up for them. We expanded to 10 school-based programs, launched our Leadership Academy, and held our first Leadership Camp Retreat. Our mentoring program grew with intention and momentum. And more than 1,400 people expressed interest in becoming a Big, telling us clearly that the community is ready and willing to show up for our young people.
Beyond the matches themselves, we showed up for our community in meaningful and tangible ways. In 2025, we hosted 54 group events, all grounded in our REACH framework of recreation, education, arts, community, and health and wellness. From Keep Connected sessions and therapeutic mentoring trainings to focus groups for Bigs, parents and guardians, Big Success trainings, back-to-school supply distribution sites, and our fall food drive, our programming reached every corner of the families we serve. During the holiday season alone, we had the privilege of supporting more than 120 families through Adopt-a-Family. Every event was an act of community, and a reminder that mentoring is about so much more than a one-on-one match.
The evidence for this work has never been clearer. In January 2026, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America released "A Future Built on Mentorship: Why Mentoring is the Essential Infrastructure Our Future Needs Now". This report positions mentoring not as a charity, but as foundational infrastructure for our communities, our workforce, and our future. The research shows that mentored young people are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 52% less likely to skip school, and 20% more likely to enroll in college. And every $1 invested in mentoring yields $3 in public benefit. Yet today, one in three young people in America is growing up without access to a mentor. At BBBS of Southeast Michigan, we are committed to changing that, one match at a time, right here in our community.
Our leadership, board and staff alike, is united by a shared belief that this work is about more than mentoring. We come to this moment shaped by the very communities we serve, grounded in research, lived experience, and an unwavering commitment to young people. Our board brings vision, resources, and relationships to this mission. Our staff brings heart, expertise, and daily dedication. Together, we are building an organization worthy of the trust this community has placed in us. BBBS is not just a mentoring organization. It is infrastructure for possibility.
In 2026, we are re-imagining what this work can look like. We are repositioning BBBS for greater visibility, deeper community collaboration, and expanded reach across Southeast Michigan. We believe there is no such thing as too many resources for young people, and we are committed to building the partnerships that prove it.
We are grateful for every donor, volunteer, partner, and advocate who made 2025 possible. The power you invested in this organization has empowered someone else. Together, we are building pathways to the social-emotional, economic, and educational advancement of young people and families across Southeast Michigan. After more than 100 years of this work, we know one thing to be true: when young people thrive, whole communities are transformed.
Dr. Joselyn Mitchell-Parker
President and CEO |
Jehan Crump-Gibson, Esq. Board Chair |
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CONGRATULATIONS,
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ANTHONY & STEVENAnthony came into BBBS Career Buddies at Pershing High School with curiosity, kindness, and big dreams. Through our partnership with Ally, he met Steven, an Ally volunteer who showed up every other week at the Ally Detroit Center and did what great mentors do best: listened, asked questions, and kept showing up.
Over a year and a half, their conversations became a steady place for Anthony to talk about money, work, and what he wants for his future. Together, they even began shaping a waste management business plan aimed at helping clean up Detroit, a project that reflects Anthony’s ambition and purpose. But one of the moments that mattered most had nothing to do with career goals: when Steven learned Anthony didn’t have a winter coat, he worked with BBBS staff to make sure Anthony got one. Anthony put it simply: “That’s when I knew I could trust him.” Steven’s support helped Anthony grow in confidence and focus and helped him see what’s possible after graduation, including trade school. Anthony describes BBBS as “an open door of knowledge” and Steven as someone who listens and offers real life advice. Steven says, “He’s a bright kid with lots of ambition and I’m happy to have played a part in his growth.” This is our Match of the Year because it captures the heart of BBBS: consistent, caring relationships that help young people feel supported, seen, and ready for what comes next. |
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ALANA & MADELINEAlana and Madeline have been matched for three years, and what’s grown between them is the kind of trust you can feel: steady, easy, and real. Over time, Alana’s confidence has expanded, not because someone “fixed” anything, but because Madeline kept showing up and making space for Alana to be more fully herself.
Madeline has been there through the shift from elementary to middle school, helping Alana lean into her own interests, build independence, and learn how to spot the friends and influences that truly support her. Along the way, Madeline has also encouraged Alana to speak up, make a plan, and advocate for what she needs - skills that will outlast any single season of school. Their relationship has become part of the rhythm of family life, too. They participate in BBBS events when they can, and Madeline has consistently invited others into the mission, encouraging coworkers and even an employer to connect with BBBS. Alana’s caregiver, Takiyah, shared it best: “Madeline is a breath of fresh air! She really has become a part of our family and is around us all the time.” Madeline’s view of mentoring is simple and powerful: “Just being another consistent adult in their life is enough to make an impact.” And Alana’s review is perfect: “Madeline is super nice and funny.” Some of their favorite moments are the traditions, like going ice skating every year, the kind of joy that gives a young person something to look forward to and someone to look forward to it with. |
TO OUR BIGS - WE THANK YOU!
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We are so incredibly grateful for the time, heart, and talent of our Bigs. We know that without you stepping up, stepping in, and walking alongside your Little as you navigate this changing world together, we would accomplish very little. You are the backbone of our organization. The essential infrastructure our community needs. The steady, trusted relationships that help young people feel seen, supported, and safe enough to grow. A million thank yous could not express the depth of our appreciation, but please know this: your consistency strengthens the social fabric of Southeast Michigan, one relationship at a time.
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WHO WE ARE
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, we build the social infrastructure young people need to thrive: consistent, caring relationships. Mentorship is proven to strengthen outcomes across mental health, educational engagement, and long-term opportunity, because human development happens through human connection.
Working alongside families, schools, and community partners, we match youth with screened, trained mentors and support each relationship with ongoing guidance and goal-setting. Every match becomes a bridge, strengthening not only a young person’s confidence and future, but the social fabric of Southeast Michigan.
Working alongside families, schools, and community partners, we match youth with screened, trained mentors and support each relationship with ongoing guidance and goal-setting. Every match becomes a bridge, strengthening not only a young person’s confidence and future, but the social fabric of Southeast Michigan.
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WHO WE SERVE
Sixty-six percent of our Littles' household incomes are at or below the federal poverty line, which in 2025 was $26,650 for a parent or guardian with 2 children.
*Reported data show that 66% of families served live below the national poverty line. Because many families chose not to provide household income, this figure is conservative. Internal estimates indicate the actual percentage is likely between 75% and 85%.
OUR PROGRAMS
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In our Community-Based program, we pair Bigs and Littles together to build meaningful, lasting relationships rooted in shared experiences. Bigs are adult volunteers who are looking to mentor a child in their community, and Littles are youth ages 7–14 who are looking for guidance, support, and connection. Matches spend time together two to three times each month, exploring interests, building trust, and growing side by side.
At BBBSSEM, we make matches intentionally—considering personality, interests, location, life experiences, and goals—because we know that strong matches lead to deeper impact. One match recently celebrated five years together after being paired based on a shared interest in engineering. What began as a young girl’s dream became something more tangible through the guidance of her Big, who helped her explore that future firsthand. Once matched, every Big and Little are supported by a dedicated Program Coordinator. These staff members provide ongoing guidance, encouragement, and resources to help each relationship thrive. Through consistent connection and support, our community-based matches are building confidence, expanding possibilities, and shaping a future grounded in mentorship. |
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Our Site-Based mentoring program brings mentorship directly into schools across Southeast Michigan, creating structured spaces where relationships can grow within the rhythm of the school day. Bigs and Littles meet biweekly throughout the academic year during lunch or after school, participating in guided activities designed to build social-emotional skills, academic confidence, and future readiness.
During the 2024-25 school year, 77 youth were served across 73 matches, with strong engagement from both Littles (83% attendance) and Bigs (82% attendance). Through hands-on activities, guest speakers, and career exploration opportunities, Littles gained exposure to new possibilities while building important life skills like teamwork, communication, and goal-setting. The impact is both measurable and deeply personal. Over 90% of Littles reported that their relationship with their Big was important to them and that they felt heard and supported. By meeting youth where they are—in their schools and daily routines—we are creating consistent, accessible pathways to mentorship and helping build a future where every young person has someone in their corner. |
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2025 EVENTS REVIEW
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MARCH 20
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MAY 20 & OCT 22
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At the Grow a Little Breakfast, Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates mentorship, connection, and the power of showing up for young people. With the help of Table Captains who welcome new community members and business associates from their network, we introduce our mission and deepen our engagement with existing donors and corporate partners. This inspiring breakfast highlights how consistent, small moments of guidance and encouragement can spark academic success, self-confidence and lifelong growth for children in our community. Attendees are invited to learn how their involvement—whether through financial support, volunteering, or corporate partnership—can help expand these life-changing relationships.
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MAY 20
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS |
Magic Maker
Ford Credit Dream Makers Ernst & Young Humanetics |
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OCTOBER 22
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At this event, BBBS celebrated Macy’s with the Inspiring Potential Award. 2025 marked year 3 of a 10-year national partnership between Macy’s Mission Every One and Big Brothers Big Sisters. To date, more than 80 Littles have received $100 Macy’s Gift Cards to shop for their loved ones during the holidays.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS |
Presenting Sponsor
Stellantis |
Magic Maker
Amazon Dream Makers HAP CareSource |
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On Sunday, September 14th, nearly 175 friends of Big Brothers Big Sisters gathered to support youth mentoring in our community at A Fall Evening with BBBS. Hosted by Deb and Greg Bolino at their beautiful Ann Arbor home, guests shared a casually elegant night under the tent. Current BBBS Big Dan led the crowd to a standing ovation with his heartfelt words on the positive impact mentoring has had on HIM! A new tradition began in 2025, as BBBS presented outgoing President and CEO Jennifer Spitler with the Luminary Award, in honor of her extraordinary leadership, vision, and commitment to and for young people over the last 23 years with the organization. Beautiful weather, elegant music, delectable food, a 52 card raffle and a thrilling live auction rounded out the evening. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, A Fall Evening with BBBS raised more than $230,000 for kids in our community looking for a mentor. A special thanks goes to our Presenting Sponsor, The Young Family Foundation. |
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Stellantis worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters in October to host a Bowl for Kids’ Sake event at Classic Lanes in Rochester. This peer to peer campaign gave Stellantis employees the chance to bond over some bowling pins while raising critical awareness and funds for BBBS! Staff members registered with a team and then competed to see who could raise the most money. The afternoon included two hours of bowling, pizza, pop and a 50/50 raffle. Whether they were throwing strikes or gutterballs, a great time was had by all. Micky Bly, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Propulsion Systems for Stellantis, and BBBS Board Member said, "I’ve seen firsthand how mentorship can change a young person’s life. It’s about dignity, belonging, and giving every child a real chance. There’s also data to support it: kids with mentors are 20% more likely to attend college, and they earn 15% more over their lifetimes. That’s a mission worth standing behind, and that’s why I’m committed to BBBS. Bowl For Kids’ Sake strengthens our own team and reinforces the kind of community we all want to be part of."
Anyone can host a Bowl for Kids’ Sake event. Reach out to BBBS and find out more! |
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2025 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
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This financial data is unaudited*
PROGRAM ENRICHMENTS
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, we believe mentorship is most powerful when it’s surrounded by the right support system. Through our REACH framework—Recreation, Education & Careers, Arts & Culture, Civic Engagement, and Health & Wellness—we create opportunities for matches to connect, explore, and grow together. Strong relationships thrive when they are supported by a broader ecosystem of care for caregivers, youth, and Bigs alike.
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In 2025, that ecosystem expanded significantly. We offered 54 group events across 36 locations, creating consistent opportunities for connection, exploration, and shared experiences throughout Southeast Michigan. That momentum included the Brotherhood Bowl, made possible by a grant from Gillette, which brought together more than 100 local youth and adult volunteers for a day rooted in connection, confidence, and belonging. More than a one-day event, it created space for young men to feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves. Caregivers engaged in 14 parent-focused training sessions, including our Financial Literacy Series, which equipped families with tools to manage credit, reduce debt, and plan for long-term stability. Our Keep Connected program helped parents and caregivers navigate the changing needs of children as they grow older, gain independence, and move through new stages of development. We deepened support through Mind Matters, our Therapeutic Mentoring program. Targeted group sessions and trainings for caregivers, youth, and Bigs added layers of care that helped matches navigate more complex challenges and strengthen relationships with greater intention. Balanced Bonds, a sub-series of Mind Matters designed for parents and caregivers, offered hybrid two-hour sessions with resources, strategies, and time to connect, along with practical supports like food, raffles, and childcare when available. At the same time, we invested in the future of mentorship through our Leadership Academy, where 20 teens participated in a three-day, two-night immersive experience designed to build critical leadership skills, including empathy, communication, teamwork, respect, and confidence. More than a standalone experience, the Academy serves as a pipeline for youth leadership. After the retreat, participants stepped into roles as High School Bigs, applying those skills in real time as mentors to Middle School Littles and passing what they’ve learned forward through peer leadership and support. Research continues to show that strong developmental relationships are a critical part of a young person’s social infrastructure, supporting academic success, emotional well-being, and long-term economic mobility. By pairing intentional mentoring with meaningful wraparound supports, we’re not just creating matches—we’re building the conditions for young people and families to thrive. Because when mentorship is supported, it doesn’t just change one life—it strengthens the entire system around it. |
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OUR IMPACT : A FUTURE BUILT ON MENTORSHIP
Mentorship is more than a program. It is the kind of human infrastructure that helps young people feel seen, stay connected, and imagine more for their future. When one caring adult shows up consistently, the impact reaches beyond that relationship into school, work, family, and community.
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MENTORSHIP CHANGES THE ODDS
Mentorship helps young people thrive across the places that shape a life: emotional wellbeing, school, opportunity, and positive decision-making. The power is not in one isolated outcome. It is in how those outcomes build on each other.
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ONE RELATIONSHIP CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING.When a young person gains a mentor, the impact does not stop with that match. Confidence grows. School engagement strengthens. Career possibilities expand. Communities become safer, more connected, and more hopeful. That is the ripple effect of mentorship.
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INVESTING IN WHAT MATTERS MOSTWe are deeply grateful for the generosity and trust of our donors. While not named individually, each contribution represents a shared belief in the power of mentorship and the future of young people across Southeast Michigan. Because of this community of support, we are able to build and sustain the relationships that help youth find confidence, connection, and opportunity. Research continues to show that strong mentoring relationships are essential to a young person’s social infrastructure—shaping not only individual outcomes, but the strength of families, communities, and our collective future. This work simply would not be possible without those who choose to invest in it. Thank you for standing with us, for believing in our youth, and for helping build a future rooted in mentorship. |
CORPORATE DONORS AND GRANTS
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, we know a future built on mentorship is only possible because of people like you. As a donor-supported volunteer organization, we are deeply grateful for the generous donors and contributors who invest in our mission and the young people we serve. Your support helps create more life-changing matches and sustains a full year of thoughtful relationship building and mentorship. Because of you, more young people can experience the connection, encouragement, and opportunity that help shape brighter futures. Thank you for believing in their potential and for standing with us as we build a stronger future through mentorship.
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AAA
AEG Worldwide Foundation Aetna Alan R Menzies Family Foundation Ally Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Altruic Advisors Amazon Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Ann Arbor Jaycees Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation Ann Arbor Track Club Arby's Inspire Foundation AT&T AvFuel Company Baird Bank of America Bank of Ann Arbor BBBSA BDO Big House, Big Heart Black Girls Do Science Bright Horizons Foundation for Children C&G Newspapers CHEMpreneurIST Children Trust Michigan City of Ann Arbor City of Detroit Code 313 Comcast Comerica Foundation Community Foundation of SE Michigan Costco Crocs Detroit Lions Foundation Detroit Pistons Detroit Recovery Project |
Detroit Tigers Foundation
Detroit Zoo Dominos Pizza Dove Drip House Coffee DTE Energy Foundation Eagles for Children Ernst & Young Eastern Michigan University Athletics Ewie Group Ford Motor Credit Friedman Real Estate Friends of the Detroit River Gillette General Motors General Motors GMC Division GM Romulus Propulsion Systems Greening of Detroit HAP CareSource Henkel Henry Ford & Greenfield Village Howard & Howard Humanetics Hylant J Ferrantino Foundation Jenkins Foundation Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation Kohl's Kroger Laborers Local 1191 Ladies League of Detroit Lynch & Sons Funeral Home Macomb Group Macy's Mammoth Distilling Meijer Meijer Foundation Meridian Micah 6 Michigan First Foundation |
Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Motor City Music Club NFL Inspire Change Nordstrom Rack Old National Bank Pensole Lewis College PNC Foundation Promanus Raymond James SCRAP Skillman Foundation Smart Energy Insulation Society of Women Engineers Speckhard-Knight Foundation Starbucks State of MI. Stellantis The Last Word The Love Building The Moveable Feast Therapaws T-Mobile Towsley Foundation Treeline Church Troy Gym Ulta U of M Womens Basketball United Way of Atlanta United Way of Dallas United Way of Southeast Michigan United Way of Suncoast Florida UPS Store #5281 Ventcon Walmart Weber & Olcese PLC Whole Foods Market Young Family Foundation Youth Collaboratory |
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
PRESIDENT & CEOJennifer Spitler, LMSW
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD CHAIR
Jehan Crump-Gibson - Great Lakes Legal Group
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Micky Bly - Stellantis
Knox Cameron - DTE Kendall Cislo - Agilon Health Program Chair Jocelyn Coley - The Allen Lewis Agency Raechel Conyers - Honigman LLP Secretary Gregg Hammerman - Larky |
Kris Kerns - Comerica
Sheri Mackey - Oakland University Terry Murphy - Retired, PWC Jigisha Pardanani - SMBC Manubank Governance Chair Kathie Patterson - Ally Bank Derek Shinska - Hylant |
Amit Singhi - Humanetics Group
Chao Sun - Game Above-EMU Community Engagement Chair Terrance Thomas - Detroit Lions Laura Trosper - Ernst & Young LLP Treasurer Adam Williams - Rehmann LaTonya Woods - Blue Cross Blue Shield |
WE ARE SO GRATEFULTo our volunteers, thank you for the time, heart, and steady presence you share with young people across our community. Every conversation, every shared experience, and every small moment of encouragement helps build a future shaped by mentorship. We are grateful for the lessons you teach, the lessons you learn, and the lasting impact you make each day. To our donors, thank you for believing in the power of mentorship and investing in the futures of young people across Southeast Michigan. Your generosity helps create and sustain the relationships at the heart of our mission. Because of you, more young people have access to the support, connection, and opportunity they need to thrive. Together, we are building a future strengthened by mentorship. |
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Locations:
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Contact UsPHONEDetroit - 313-309-0500
Ypsilanti - 734-975-0933 |
