Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i supports keiki from 6 yrs old and up through our one-to-one mentoring relationships which support their social and emotional developmentOur youth-centered programs help our keiki create and achieve goals through the connection and support of their mentors. Each child, mentor, and family unit is guided through the process of enrollment, volunteerism, and support by all of our staff. We become 'ohana to ensure that the social and emotional needs of youth are being met and that every keiki has an opportunity to reach their full potential.
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PBN names Dennis Brown as Career Achievement Honoree for Most Admired Leaders awards
Pacific Business News is excited to announce that Dennis Brown, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, has been named this year’s Career Achievement Honoree for Hawaii's Most Admired Leaders awards. Read the full article here. |
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Happy Big Brothers Big Sisters' Month!
Did you know every September is National Big Brothers Big Sisters' month? Keep track with this month's festivities by following us on social media:
Who has made an impact on your life? We want to hear your story!
Happy Big Brothers Big Sisters' Month!
Did you know every September is National Big Brothers Big Sisters' month? Keep track with this month's festivities by following us on social media:
HONOLULU, HI (July 17, 2023) – Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii’s (BBBSH) President and CEO Dennis Brown will retire on Dec. 31, 2023, after 25 years of service to the organization. Current COO Tyler Kurashige has been selected by the BBBSH Board of Directors to succeed Brown and lead the state’s most recognized nonprofit providing 1-to-1 mentoring to Hawaii’s youth into a new era.
“I am proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past 25 years and I’m grateful for the commitment of BBBSH’s staff, community partners and volunteers,” Brown said. “I have worked with Tyler for the past 17 years and I’m confident that under his leadership, BBBSH will continue to grow and provide vital support for Hawaii’s youth and families.”
Brown is the longest-serving CEO in the agency’s 60-year history and was also BBBSH’s first youth served. During his tenure, Brown grew the organization’s staff from 11 to its current 22; the annual operating budget increased from $600,000 to its current $2.3 million; and service levels grew from 250 children per year to more than 800 prior to the COVID pandemic. BBBSH has begun to implement new programs that will put it on track to serve closer to 1,000 per year.
In addition, BBBSH is expanding the breadth of its services by adding teen mentoring programs aimed to help students graduate high school and plan for their future.
“When Dennis became CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu was a small organization that served only Oahu,” said Steve Corbisier, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii's chairman of the board. “In 2007, he successfully expanded services to Kaua‘i. Five years later, he led negotiations with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui to merge and create a statewide entity to -more- serve all four counties providing tremendous growth and stability. The BBBSH board appreciates Dennis’s outstanding leadership over the past 25 years.”
About Tyler Kurashige
For over 20 years, Kurashige has volunteered and worked for community-based organizations and agencies in the human services field. He started his journey at BBBSH as an intern in 2006, and currently serves as COO. During his tenure, Kurashige has overseen Statewide agency operations and program services, managed diverse community partnerships and innovative programs, and fostered resources to support needs across the islands.
“I am grateful for the many mentors and people who supported me throughout my life and I know firsthand the importance of having connection, friendship and hope in pursuing future aspirations,” Kurashige said. “I’m honored to be a part of this amazing organization that creates meaningful relationships for youth who need it the most. I look forward to working closely with our partners, board, volunteers, donors and our entire BBBSH team to lead this organization into its next phase of growth and service to the community,” Kurashige said.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAWAIʻI RECEIVES UNPRECEDENTED DONATION
FROM PHILANTHROPIST MACKENZIE SCOTT
Honolulu, Hawaii, May 24, 2022 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi (BBBSH) announced today it has been selected to receive an unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, enabling the organization to expand valuable one-to-one mentoring and support for youth during an especially vulnerable time in their lives.
Scott’s generous gift is the largest donation from a single individual in BBBSH’s 59-year history. It serves as a powerful message in recognizing the importance of investing in youth mentorship to build and strengthen communities and society as a whole.
“We are humbled and extremely grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her tremendous generosity and support for youth mentorship in Hawaiʻi,” said Dennis Brown, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi President and CEO.
The funding comes at a crucial time for BBBSH, which, due to pandemic restrictions over the past two years, was forced to cancel its Perfect Pairings and Bowl for Kids’ Sake events, two of its longstanding and largest annual fundraisers. “The past two years have been extremely tough for many nonprofits, as well as the youth we serve. The timing of this gift is critical to the future of our organization and will enable us to enhance the quality and breadth of our mentoring services to benefit even more of Hawaii’s youth and their families when they need it most,” Brown said. Read more.
FROM PHILANTHROPIST MACKENZIE SCOTT
Honolulu, Hawaii, May 24, 2022 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi (BBBSH) announced today it has been selected to receive an unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, enabling the organization to expand valuable one-to-one mentoring and support for youth during an especially vulnerable time in their lives.
Scott’s generous gift is the largest donation from a single individual in BBBSH’s 59-year history. It serves as a powerful message in recognizing the importance of investing in youth mentorship to build and strengthen communities and society as a whole.
“We are humbled and extremely grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her tremendous generosity and support for youth mentorship in Hawaiʻi,” said Dennis Brown, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi President and CEO.
The funding comes at a crucial time for BBBSH, which, due to pandemic restrictions over the past two years, was forced to cancel its Perfect Pairings and Bowl for Kids’ Sake events, two of its longstanding and largest annual fundraisers. “The past two years have been extremely tough for many nonprofits, as well as the youth we serve. The timing of this gift is critical to the future of our organization and will enable us to enhance the quality and breadth of our mentoring services to benefit even more of Hawaii’s youth and their families when they need it most,” Brown said. Read more.
Our President/CEO Dennis Brown was honored with an award for Children's & Youth Month 2021. He was recognized for being an outstanding advocate on
October 1, 2021.
October 1, 2021.
September is National Big Brothers Big Sisters Month.
We have many exciting news and events to share with you!
First off, much and well-deserved congratulations to our Tyler Kurashige whom has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer.
We have many exciting news and events to share with you!
First off, much and well-deserved congratulations to our Tyler Kurashige whom has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer.
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May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Awareness and Mental Health Awareness Month. We will focus on: Healing and Humility, as we have a critical conversation about the oppression of the AAPI community. Tune in on Friday, May 21 at 8am HST on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Facebook page.
Join us for a courageous conversation as experts share the importance of convening safe spaces for members of the AAPI community. Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategist and advocate, Sonia Aranza , President & CEO of Aranza Cross Cultural Strategies, and thought leader and mental health advocate, Christine Carino, Founder of Conscious Thrive, LLC, will lead the discussion. Local agency leaders, Elaine Cha, Story Teller, from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and Dennis Brown, President & CEO of BBBS of Hawaii will also join the panel. |
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i along with the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services presents "Defend, Inspire, Empower".
Casey Lund of Hawaii News Now showcases inspirational stories from inspirational people. If you missed it, click here to watch the show! |
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