Donors, volunteers make our 60th anniversary possible

How can we best guide the next generation to make the most of their lives? In 1958 a group of Kalamazoo residents asked just this question. Concerned about the community’s children, the group decided to form a mentoring organization which evolved into Big Brothers Big Sisters, A Community of Caring. Now here we are in 2018 celebrating the agency’s 60th anniversary having grown from a partnership initiated with a $200 grant between the Kalamazoo Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) and Kalamazoo Public Schools to an agency that serves over 1,000 children each year in Kalamazoo, Allegan, Calhoun, and Van Buren counties.

Our goal has always been to fulfill our mission: Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

We constantly strive to achieve this mission for every child and, according to the Youth Outcomes Survey (YOS) that is given to every Little once a year, we are successful. Our 2017 Annual Report on the next page highlights some of these findings.

These results are made possible by donors, volunteers, and supporters, like you. From board and committee members, Bigs and other volunteers, to numerous companies and individual donors – each and every volunteer and donor has made reaching this milestone and achieving our mission possible. Thank you for your dedication to our community’s children.

You’ll hear more about and have the opportunity to celebrate our 60th anniversary throughout the year. In fact, Bowl for Kids’ Sake’s “RETRO” theme this year kicked off the celebration. Also, check out our social media and website for fun agency facts and stories.

Again, thank you for being a part of this agency. Whether you are a Big or a donor, you are helping local children change their lives for the better, forever!