July 2021 marks a new beginning for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). We have a new National CEO, Artis Stevens, the first African American CEO in BBBSA’s 118-year history. With so much civil unrest across our country caused by discrimination and violence toward minority and marginalized individuals, Artis and his team have developed a movement to help us guide young people to create a more just, equitable, diverse and inclusive world for all people. To that end, Big Brothers Big Sisters is now known as a JEDI organization, which stands for Justice-Equity-Diversity-Inclusion.
BBBSA was created as an alternative to the juvenile justice system with a mission to keep as many young people out of that system as possible. We continue to do that by providing them with one-to-one, professionally supported mentorship. Now, in addition, we’ll coach our mentors to model and discuss what JEDI means and why it’s important that we all work to achieve a more accepting and far less violent community.
BBBSA was created as an alternative to the juvenile justice system with a mission to keep as many young people out of that system as possible. We continue to do that by providing them with one-to-one, professionally supported mentorship. Now, in addition, we’ll coach our mentors to model and discuss what JEDI means and why it’s important that we all work to achieve a more accepting and far less violent community.
After a full 4-days of events and celebration at our Virtual National Conference, we are feeling inspired, renewed and excited! We are ready to continue to amplify our purpose, to inspire youth equity and to empower our Littles to reach their full potential. Below is a video of our Dennis Brown, Inclusion Panelist, amplifying our voices for BBBS Hawaii.
“We as leaders and our employees need to be the first authentic examples. You have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. To do that, we’ve got to be educated.” - BBBS of Hawai‘i President and CEO Dennis Brown
After a full 4-days of events and celebration at our Virtual National Conference, we are feeling inspired, renewed and excited! We are ready to continue to amplify our purpose, to inspire youth equity and to empower our Littles to reach their full potential. Below is a video of our Dennis Brown, Inclusion Panelist, amplifying our voices for BBBS Hawaii.
“We as leaders and our employees need to be the first authentic examples. You have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. To do that, we’ve got to be educated.” - BBBS of Hawai‘i President and CEO Dennis Brown
Click photo to watch video.
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Click HERE to read more about Navigating through a pandemic: How Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii continued to help children. 7/26/2021 WATCH VIDEO Courtesy of KHON2.
2021 BBBS Hawaii SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
We’re very happy to announce that we’ve awarded nine scholarships totaling over $20,000 this year. It was the largest pool of scholars and dollars we’ve awarded in the past decade. A huge mahalo to all of the scholarship donors who make it possible for our graduates to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential!
The Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii Scholarship Program awards financial support to a current or former Little Brother or Little Sister, High School Big Brother or Big Sister; or to a current BBBSH employee or their child. Each award helps our recipients further their educational pursuits. Mahalo to Nate Fong, scholarship coordinator and the selection committee for their hard work. Below are the 2021 winners:
When you and your Little Sister join Girl Scouts, you can start your adventure. Your Little Sister's membership will be provided at no cost through generous support of Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i. Contact join@gshawaii.org for more info.
Special congratulations to all of our
2021 Bigs of the Year
Oahu Big Brother Mike Hinkley
Kauai Big Sister Terry-Ann Moses
Maui Big Brother Jeremy Fishinger
Maui Big Sister Stefania Xytakis
Maui Mentor Center Big Sister Yuriana Robles, and Maui Mentor Center Big Brother Jeremy Peros
Maui Mentoring Scholarship 2021 recipient, Suhaila James.
2021 Bigs of the Year
Oahu Big Brother Mike Hinkley
Kauai Big Sister Terry-Ann Moses
Maui Big Brother Jeremy Fishinger
Maui Big Sister Stefania Xytakis
Maui Mentor Center Big Sister Yuriana Robles, and Maui Mentor Center Big Brother Jeremy Peros
Maui Mentoring Scholarship 2021 recipient, Suhaila James.
It's that time of year again! If you're interested in becoming a Holiday Angel and adopting a BBBSH family for the Holidays, please contact Nate at 808-239-9805 / natefong@bbbshawaii.org
Following advice of the CDC, State and County, match guidelines have been updated as of October 8, 2020. In-person outings are allowed with restrictions, please click here for more information.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii and our Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation has moved to a new office location in the Kalihi Palama area. While our Foundation office team of two will be there Monday through Friday, the Agency team will continue to work from home with a few of us occasionally visiting the office.
This is one way we’re reducing our operating costs to help us continue providing high quality programs and services to the children and families we help. Mahalo Nui for your continued support and friendship! In addition, we are going wireless! Please click here to view updated staff information and mobile numbers. |
Watch the KHON2 coverage of our June 27th Clothing Drive celebrating the reopening of our donation sites and the YMCA here: https://www.khon2.com/coronavirus/clothing-drive-celebrates-re-opening-of-big-brothers-big-sisters-hawaii-donation-sites/
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On May 27, 2020, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i hosted a virtual panel discussion to focus on the impacts of COVID-19 for youth. Panelists from both national and local youth serving organizations shared views on how we can continue to keep youth at the forefront and ensure youth are connected with caring adults. To watch the recorded webinar, please download the video here.
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If you are a Big, Little, parent, or guardian, please see the message below sent on Friday, May 22nd.
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Did you catch catch us on Hawaii News Now? Our President/CEO Dennis Brown explains how we are continuing to support one-on-one relationships virtually during this time of social distancing:
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2020/04/15/checking-with-big-brothers-big-sisters-ceo-dennis-brown/
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2020/04/15/checking-with-big-brothers-big-sisters-ceo-dennis-brown/
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When Virtual Becomes Reality: A Training for Bigs presented by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui team on April 17, 2020.
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Big Brother Eric recently celebrated his Little Brother Kyan's 8th birthday with a drive-by celebration! Eric coordinated two fire trucks from the Waimea Fire Station to flash their lights, sirens, and blare their horns to catch Kyan's attention. Check out the article in The Garden Island, Kauai's local paper: https://www.thegardenisland.com/2020/04/20/hawaii-news/kylans-covid-birthday/
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Quarantine Survival Workshop presented by Margaret J. Cadiz, Program Coordinator, on April 10, 2020.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving global, national, and statewide issue. The BBBSH leadership team will continue to monitor the situation daily and follow guidance from area health departments and school districts, as well as federal guidance from the CDC. All updates will be reflected on this page.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i is committed to the health of our Littles, families, Bigs, and staff. With this in mind, we have decided to suspend all events and physical meetings until the end of April.
Our offices on O‘ahu and Maui are closed, and staff are working remotely. To be clear, BBBSH will continue to operate, but we will be working remotely.
For those with internet access, we are still enrolling children and volunteers, and are continuing to support virtual relationships during this time of social distancing. Please reach out to your Match Support Case Manager with questions and for updates, or email our office at info@bbbshawaii.org.
We are temporarily not accepting used household items and clothing donations. Additionally we are closing our donation pods until further notice. We appreciate your support and understanding.
•••last updated: 3/21/20•••
If you are a Big, Little, parent, or guardian, please see the message below sent on Monday, March 16.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i is committed to the health of our Littles, families, Bigs, and staff. With this in mind, we have decided to suspend all events and physical meetings until the end of April.
Our offices on O‘ahu and Maui are closed, and staff are working remotely. To be clear, BBBSH will continue to operate, but we will be working remotely.
For those with internet access, we are still enrolling children and volunteers, and are continuing to support virtual relationships during this time of social distancing. Please reach out to your Match Support Case Manager with questions and for updates, or email our office at info@bbbshawaii.org.
We are temporarily not accepting used household items and clothing donations. Additionally we are closing our donation pods until further notice. We appreciate your support and understanding.
•••last updated: 3/21/20•••
If you are a Big, Little, parent, or guardian, please see the message below sent on Monday, March 16.
