About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Our Mission
Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships and provide programming that ignites the power and promise of youth.
Vision
All youth achieve their full potential.
Accountability
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
Our History
We are a non-profit agency positively impacting children’s lives in Lucas and Wood counties. Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs were operated independently in Toledo from 1937 to 1961. By January 1980, the programs had merged to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio. Our agency provides service consistent with the standards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
We are financially supported, in part, by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, the United Way of Greater Toledo, Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, the City of Toledo, and by corporate sponsorship, private donations and fundraising events.
Our Staff
We have professionally trained staff who carefully matches qualified volunteer mentors with children in long-term mentoring relationships. The staff also provides on-going support to those matches and their families to help children stay in school and succeed.
Executive TEAM
![Dr. Marvin Whitfield](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dr-whitfield.jpg)
Dr. Marvin Whitfield
Chief Executive Officer
Leadership Team
![Abby Terraza-Cobo](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/abby-oddo.jpg)
Abby Terraza-Cobo
Director of Operations
Staff
![Leah Hampton](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/leah-hampton.webp)
Leah Hampton
Program Manager
Our Volunteers
![Thasia Awad](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_7322.webp)
Thasia Awad
Fund Development & Mental Health Specialist
![Jasmine Smith](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/jasmine-smith.webp)
Jasmine Smith
Youth Development Specialist
![Joseph Moran](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/joseph-moran.webp)
Joseph Moran
Community Outreach Coordinator
![Morgan Siler](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/morgan-siler.jpg)
Morgan Siler
“Bigs” Engagement Coordinator
![Alex Brinkman](https://www.bbbsnwo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-bbbs_favicon.png)
Alex Brinkman
Volunteer Website Manager