DurhamCares

2012 Total Operating Budget: $1.4 million

What

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, Inc. (BBBST) is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Why

There are many reasons why we love BigBrothers/BigSisters and are pleased to promote them:

1. While serving the Triangle as a whole with more than 1,200 kids, it got its start in Durham . What a great example of folks excelling locally and then taking their talents and success to serve as an example to others in the broader community.
2. 1 on 1 relationship . Each child has one Big Brother or Big Sister. There’s not a chance to lose a kid in the crowd, nor a chance to have someone ignored in a classroom setting. The program is intimate, involved and very meaningful in the child’s life and in the volunteer’s.
3. Accountability . This is a theme that came up time and time again in discussions with their senior leadership. They are very aware of the significant responsibility of working with other people’s kids AND other people’s money.
4. Screening . It’s been joked that it’s more difficult to become a Big Brother or Big Sister than it is to join the FBI. Good! Mentoring our kids is serious (though fun and rewarding) business.
5. Excellence . Big Brothers Big Sisters is the leading mentoring agency in the country and here in the Triangle.  They have been in the Triangle since 2001, and serve Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is 102 years old, so they have the experience and the proven results.  Studies have shown that by matching them with a mentor, it makes a significant difference in the lives of at-risk children.  Littles with a Big Brother or Big Sister are:
   • 46% less likely to start using drugs
   • 52% less likely to skip school
   • 27% less likely to engage in underage drinking
   • 33% less likely to resolve conflict using violence

Currently, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle (BBBST) offers two services: Community-based and Site-based Mentoring to children who are typically, but not always, from low-income single parent households.  All children ages 6-14 are eligible to participate. Of the children currently served, approximately 78% are African American, 7% are White, and 7% are Hispanic. BBBST services are free to parents and children.

Community Based Mentoring

Community-based mentoring provides children from single parent homes or other children in need of adult role models with a one-to-one mentor relationship with a volunteer from the community. These volunteers receive extensive screening and training from Enrollment Specialists and Match Support Personnel. A careful process is followed to make a match between youth who have requested services to the appropriate volunteer in order to promote long-term relationships. The average matches last for well over a year because of this detailed effort. The volunteers, parents, and the children are extensively involved in the process. The Community-based “Bigs” work with parents to coordinate transportation and routinely provide 8-10 hours a month of quality one-to-one time for each child. This particular program allows the ability to reach children throughout the county who may otherwise not have access to services. These “Big Brothers and Big Sisters” play an integral role of the lives of their “Littles” by being good listeners and by providing a stable adult role model to help guide these children in the right direction.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle (BBBST) provides on-going monthly support to each match. After the initial match process, volunteers, parents and children are contacted monthly to ensure the effectiveness of the service delivery model. Staff are also available at any time to provide additional support to each match. BBBST also provides a variety of monthly enrichment activities for “Bigs” and “Littles”.  They further work with corporate sponsors and local donors to provide opportunities for the matches to attend sporting events, movies, museums and a variety of local activities.

School - Based Mentoring

School-based mentoring, the fastest growing BBBST program, provides mentors to children during and after school on their school’s campus.  The growing partnerships with many local schools allow teachers or key school staff refer children who may need extra attention to build better social skills or those who may be lacking in a particular area of schoolwork. Although it takes place at schools, our Site-Based Mentoring program isn’t limited to the classroom. Of course, some Littles do talk with their Bigs about class, or do homework, or read together, but it’s perfectly fine to shoot hoops in the gym or play on the playground.  At the end of the day, it’s really all about starting a friendship, providing guidance and inspiring them to reach their potential.  Volunteers are oriented, screened and trained to assist this population of children with the same care and detail as the community-based volunteers. School-based volunteers do not take their Little Brothers or Sisters off school grounds and are supervised by school staff regularly and an on-site BBBST staff monthly. Matches in School-based programs last for one school year and may continue into the next at the request of the parent, child, teacher, and volunteer.

Currently in Durham County there are school based programs at EK Powe Elementary, George Watts Montessori, WG Pearson Magnet Middle. These sites are served primarily with volunteers from Duke University, NCCU, City of Durham employees, and employees from our EPA partnership.

Mentoring Children of Prisoners

The BBBS North Carolina Mentoring Children of Prisoners Initiative (NCMCP) was created in 2009 with an initial three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  The initiative serves 23 counties with BBBS of the Triangle (BBBST) functioning as the grant administrator.  Each agency is required to match a specific number of children of prisoners with adult mentors adding up to a total of 1,200 children across the state over the first three years.  Specifically, BBBST will serve 325 children over three years: 98 in year one (we have exceeded this number), 108 in year two and 119 in year three.

The NCMCP practices community-based mentoring, with mentors and children meeting independently of the mentoring organization and engaging in a variety of community activities.  We adhere to the national standards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in screening, training, matching, and supporting volunteer mentors and their Little Brothers and Sisters.  Each mentor commits to spending at least 8-10 hours a month with his or her mentee for at least one year, building a trusting friendship that can literally transform the life of a child.  Through early intervention by a mentor, we aim to help children of prisoners see their potential for a life free of crime and violence. The BBBS one-to-one mentoring model is used to mold the futures of our state’s most vulnerable children.  These children have the potential to become productive and contributing members of society.  They merely need a positive role model to believe in them, and to show them how to believe in themselves.

BUILDING BLOCKS: SHAPING A LIFETIME OF GOOD HEALTH

The core of our mission is to ensure children reach their full potential in life.  While BBBST continues to focus on education, social development, and reduction of destructive behaviors, we also aim to combat health disparities that the children in our community face.  Building Blocks is a supplement to the traditional mentoring relationship that places an emphasis on healthy development targeting physical activity, wellness, and health care by providing on-going activities, education, and access opportunities.  With our community’s most vulnerable children already within our reach, BBBST has the unique opportunity to utilize the trusting relationship between Big and Little to offer education and new strategies for improved health.

Kim Breeden

CEO

Nonprofit Executive Professional. Born Kimberly Breeden on September 5, 1968, in Laurinburg, NC.  The first of two children, Breeden grew up in a working class community were her parents owned a convenient store and farmed. She attended North Carolina Wesleyan College and lettered in 2 Varsity sports. Her senior year was named Athlete of the Year.

In 1989, Breeden started with the YWCA and quickly developed a passion for children. In, 1992, she was introduced to the Boys and Girls Clubs and volunteered with a mentoring program. This is when she was introduced to a young girl named Dara who was 9 years old. During this time she accepted a position with the Boys and Girls Clubs and continued to mentor Dara until she graduated high school. Her relationship with Dara inspired her to continue to work with children, who were from disadvantaged circumstances.

In 1996, Breeden was named Executive Director for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greensboro, NC which was the Clubs Dara was a member. She continued to promote Leadership and mentoring. During her years with Boys and Girls Clubs she received numerous awards for programs designed for children ages 6-18 and staff leadership programs.

In 2002, Breeden continued to fulfill her passion working with at-risk children and accepted the role as Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Durham and Orange Counties. In 2005, two Big Brothers Big Sister organizations merged to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle and named Breeden as the CEO. In 2008, Breeden was named CEO of the Year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

She continues to be an advocate for children and women participating in many speaking engagements across the Triangle. Because of her “Little Sister Dara” her ultimate goal is for every child who needs and wants a Big Brother or Big Sister to have one.

John Mitterling

Chief Development Officer

John has had a successful 25-year career in development, working for a number of organizations, including the John Avery Boys & Girls Club, the North Carolina and American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, the North Carolina Symphony and the YMCA of the Triangle.

A native of New Bern, NC, Mitterling has lived in the Triangle since 1982. John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986. An avid long-distance runner, John has completed 14 marathons since 2000.

Barron J. Damon

Vice President of Partnership Development

Barron grew up a pastor’s son in Darlington, SC. Barron earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.  He also has a Masters degree in Business Management from Webster University.   Barron has continued his education by participating in two Executive Leadership Programs.  In 2005 he completed the Management Academy in Public Health and in 2006 he completed the Emerging Leaders in Public Health at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Barron started his professional career at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia Inc. in the early 1990’s and quickly became the Director of Programs. By 1997, he was named Vice-President of Operations and by 2002 he was serving as CEO to that BBBS affiliate agency. Prior to his relocation to North Carolina in 2005 to work with the Triangle United Way, Barron owned and operated Lotus Consulting, LLC for three years.  His clients included the U.S. Department of Education, the University of South Carolina, Department of Labor, Department of Social Services, Communities and Schools, Department of Health and Environmental Control, as well as several non-profits, churches, and colleges.

He returned to his first love in 2006 by accepting a position with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle and currently serves in the role of Vice President of Partnership Development.

Barron and his wife Katrina live in Morrisville with their two children Mariah and Joshua.

Andie Thomas Young

Vice President of Programs

A native of Amherst Virginia, Andie’s childhood experiences consisted of small town life, her grandmother’s farm and lots of family. While attending college within a mile of her hometown, Andie became involved in various community volunteer endeavors. She found her true passion when she became involved with her college’s mentoring program. During her sophomore year, Andie served as a weekly mentor to a group of female middle school students, and her mentoring efforts continued throughout her senior year. Graduating from Sweet Briar College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology, Andie began her professional career as a case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia.

Several years later, Andie decided to further her education and pursued a graduate degree at Longwood College. In 2001, Andie earned a Master of Science degree in Sociology, with a concentration in Criminal Justice. She attended her graduation ceremony along with one of the girls from her former middle school mentoring group, who received her undergraduate degree in Social Work.

Following six years of service with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia, Andie relocated to Durham, North Carolina and began her career with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Durham & Orange Counties, Inc. In 2005, the organization merged with the Wake County program to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, and Andie was the first choice as the Vice President of Programs leading all of the service operations.

Andie and her husband Terrance are proud to live, work, and play in Durham. Approaching 12 years of service to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Andie continues her mission to make a difference in the lives of youth.

Diesha Banner

Director of Site Based Programs

Diesha Banner was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC. She attended the local Public School System for the majority of her education and attended Private school for two years. Raised by parents that instilled great morals and values in her, she was always seeking ways to help others. She volunteered many times as a babysitter, summer camp counselor, and Sunday School Teacher. She graduated from Carver High School, in 1996 and then went on to attend North Carolina State University. She entered as an Engineering Major, but as the specifics of this major unfolded, decided that she desired to have a career that would offer more of a social and emotional connection with others. Her first thought was to go back to her roots of teaching children. She felt that would greatly change the lives of children, but wanted to have a different kind of impact in the lives of others. She then researched the field of Social Work, changed her major to Social Work and Graduated with a BSW in 2001.

In 2004, became an employee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Durham and Orange Counties Inc at that time (later becoming Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle).

After losing her own mother in 1997 and becoming a mother in 2003.  She soon realized that she had been blessed with many mentors and support systems throughout her life and enjoyed providing that same opportunity to children in desperate need of positive role models that would inspire and encourage them to reach their full potential. Each day as she comes to work she thinks of those children and it makes everything so worth every minute!

Erin Callahan

Director of Special Initiatives

Originally from Center Valley, Pennsylvania and the daughter of two teachers, Erin J. Callahan was brought up learning the value of helping others. Wanting a change from the cold northern winters, Erin migrated south for college and earned her B.S. in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management, concentrating in Sports Management from North Carolina State University. She also earned a minor in Business Management.

In the summer of 2002, Erin interned with the Coastal Plain League corporate office. There she assisted in a wide range of league operations.  Her hard work and dedication that summer earned her a permanent spot as the Assistant Director of Administration with the college summer baseball league after her December 2002 graduation. After a year, she was promoted to Director of Administration where she handled all financial aspects of the league office as well as assisted in the every day operation of the league.

After 5 seasons with the Coastal Plain League, Erin found that her passion to help children was stronger then her love of the sports industry and made a tough decision to make a slight change in her career path. With her previous administrative experience she was able to make a smooth transition in April of 2006 to the Office Manager position here at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle.

Wanting to have a more direct impact in the children we serve, in November 2007 Erin became a Big Sister in our Site-Based program. The highlight of her week is the hour that she is able to spend with her Little at Washington Elementary School. With the growing and changing of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, Erin became the Director of Operations in February 2008 where she currently serves.

Joe Wallach

Finance & Human Resource Manager

Kaara De Freitas

Director of Quality Control

Kaara grew up in the twin isle Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2003, Kaara left her home country and moved to the United States to accept a full academic scholarship to Benedict College to start her academic career in the field of social work.

Ms. De Freitas has served as Director of Quality Control since June 2010. Responsible for advancing and maintaining the overall quality of services provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, Ms. De Freitas will design and implement a quality assurance audit system, develop risk management policies as it pertains to child safety, and provide continuous quality development geared towards the organization’s success.

Kaara joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle in October 2006 as a Match Support Specialist where she provided quality support to parents, children and volunteers. Before serving as Director of Quality Control, Kaara served as the Lead Match Support Specialist. While supporting the mentoring relationships, Kaara helped steer initiatives and implemented policies that resulted in increased retention rate of matches, superior quality of support provided by the match support team, and improved goal achievement of the match support team.

Kaara earned her Bachelor of Social Work, sum cum laude from Benedict College in Columbia, SC, and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Board of Directors

Linda H. Butler, MD- Rex UNC Health Care
Bill Campbell- Clean Design
Seth Dearmin- Nexus Strategies
Michael R. Gordon - K&L Gates LLP
Thomas Hahn- ICAP Energy
Wendie K. Hill- Bank of America
Doug Hodges- Think Work Play
Sharon Hill (Secretary)- Sharon Hill International
John Idler- WTVD ABC 11
Billy McClatchey- McClatchey Broadcasting Co.
Steve Morton (President)- Retired
Kent Pittman (Treasurer)- Hughes, Pittman, & Gupton, LLP
Lee Roberts- Coley Capital
Paul Smith- Greenfire Development
John Stump- Monitech, Inc.
M. Gray Styers, Jr.- Styers & Kemerait, PLLC
Tim Tompkins- Hughes, Pittman, & Gupton, LLP
Joel Wiggins- Men Standing in the Gap

BBBST_2011 Report.pdf

Big Brothers Big Sisters_2010_Report.pdf

Big Brothers Big Sisters 2009_Final.pdf