  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan has a new program director, Dr. Joselyn L. Parker. Dr. Parker’s passion for empowering young people has been at the heart of her 15-year career in youth development. Recently graduating with a doctorate in Multicultural and Equity Studies in Education from The Ohio State University, Dr. Parker has spent her life creating opportunities for youth to thrive. Her journey began in her hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, where she led programs that focused on character growth, educational success, and emotional well-being. From being the Youth and Teen Director at the Central YMCA to her leadership roles at several nonprofit organizations, including serving as the Executive Director of a behavioral health agency, Dr. Parker has always been dedicated to the next generation. Throughout her career, she has been honored with numerous accolades, including Woman of the Year, the Dr. Bob “Diverse Graduate Student Award,” and a nomination for the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals 25 under 35. She has also been invited to share her insights as a speaker at high schools, colleges, and even on the TedX stage. Her commitment to equitable education, justice, and mentoring fuels her work, with a belief that every young person should be given the support to dream without limits and the tools to turn those dreams into reality. In her personal life, Dr. Parker enjoys quiet moments with her fiancée, Chyna, and their dog, Prince, whether they’re traveling or catching up on their favorite shows. BBBSSM is equally excited to introduce newest team member, Malajia Harris, who joins the agency as a volunteer enrollment specialist. A recent graduate with a background in mentoring and drug abuse counseling, Harris brings a heart for service and a drive to make a difference. Her hands-on experience during college, working with young people to navigate the challenges of adolescence and substance abuse, has given her a deep understanding of the importance of guidance and support in shaping brighter futures. In her personal life, Harris is an animal lover and proud “mom” to her dog Thor. She’s a big fan of musicals, has a creative flair, and her favorite color, sage green, reflects the calm and compassion she brings to her work. BBBSSM is thrilled to welcome Harris to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan family, and the agency knows she’ll be another wonderful addition to the team!  Big Brothers Big Sisters and Target have joined forces to create a brighter future for young people across the country. This exciting new partnership is focused on providing essential support and resources to help youth succeed in school and beyond. At the heart of this collaboration is a back-to-school shopping experience that brings together Littles and their Bigs for an unforgettable day of shopping. Each Little receives a $100 Target gift card to purchase school supplies, clothing, and other essentials. This shopping spree not only provides tangible items but also strengthens the bond between mentor and mentee. Beyond the shopping experience, this partnership aims to empower young people by equipping them with the tools they need to thrive. By providing access to positive mentors and essential resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Target are working together to create lasting change. The impact of this partnership is already being felt. Littles are expressing increased confidence and excitement for the upcoming school year, while Bigs are relishing the opportunity to support their mentees in a tangible way. Together, we are building a stronger community where young people have the support they need to reach their full potential. We invite you to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters and how you can get involved in supporting our mission. Together, we can create a brighter future for all young people. We are thrilled to share with you some exciting news from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Metro Detroit and Washtenaw County. Today we file paper with the Attorney General’s office to merge to create Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, with the goal of tripling the number of mentoring matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles) between the ages of 8 – 18. Jennifer Spitler, LMSW, will serve as the chief executive officer for the merged organization, having headed BBBS of Washtenaw for twenty years and our two boards of directors will merge together.  Thanks to your generous donations and on-going support, this merger will result in additional opportunities and experiences for youth, improved offerings through implementation of best practices from both organizations and decreased administrative expenses. This means that we can expand our reach into communities with new programming, and ultimately make an even greater impact on the lives of young people in our region.
As a donor-supported, volunteer organization, our efforts can only be accomplished with the help of our Bigs, community sponsors, and generous corporate and individual donors like you. We invite you to join us at our annual fundraising breakfasts in May, where you can learn more about our shared vision and how you can help support our efforts. Over 100 years ago, BBBS was founded as an innovative alternative to the juvenile justice system to create equity and empowerment for young people who needed us most. Today, this spirit drives us to become the foremost JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) youth empowerment organization putting every kid on the path to graduate with a plan for their future and the impact of a mentor for their lifetime. With your continued support, we can make this vision a reality for even more young people in Southeast Michigan. Thank you for your generosity and for believing in our mission. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. Gregg Hammerman Kathie Patterson Board Chair, Washtenaw County Board Chair, Metro Detroit Azarya, her mother, and her Big Sib, Alita, had a blast shopping at the Express store in Ann Arbor for a special Dream Big Project x Big Brothers Big Sisters shopping experience. They were able to pick out some great new clothes that made them feel confident and stylish. Even more exciting, Express has hired Azarya for her first job! We are so grateful to the Dream Big Project for helping Azarya build her self-confidence and express herself through fashion.
Jen reflects on the importance of gratitude to keep us resilient in difficult times.
Our Executive Director Jen Spitler chats with Courtney Sidor of the Ann Arbor Observer. Courtney describes how and why the amazing Observer staff has chosen to support our Adopt A Family program for nearly 20 years. wcbbbs.org/adoptafamily annarborobserver.com
Our executive director reflects on the importance of self-care during these difficult times. Our Development manager Rod Jacobs sits down with Kate D. Fitzgerald, and Molly Hudson both of the University of Michigan's Department of Psychiatry, to discuss the pressure and anxiety parents and children might feel when going back to school during a pandemic. This is part 03 of a 3 part discussion on this topic. You can find free mental health support by visiting www.depressioncenter.org or calling (734) 232-0130. Our Development manager Rod Jacobs sits down with Kate D. Fitzgerald, and Molly Hudson both of the University of Michigan's Department of Psychiatry, to discuss the pressure and anxiety parents and children might feel when going back to school during a pandemic. This is part 02 of a 03 part discussion on this topic. Our Development manager Rod Jacobs sits down with Kate D. Fitzgerald, and Molly Hudson both of the University of Michigan's Department of Psychiatry, to discuss the pressure and anxiety parents and children might feel when going back to school during a pandemic. This is part 01 of a 3 part discussion on this topic. |
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September 2024
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