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Mission and Goals
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Welcome to
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County
OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD CARING RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN CHILDREN, VOLUNTEERS, AND FAMILIES, TO ENRICH THEIR LIVES AND
THEIR COMMUNITIES.
This
is the online home of BBBS of Flathead County, serving the communities
of Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Lakeside, Bigfork, Hungry
Horse, Coram, and Creston. Thank you for your interest in our agency.
Feel free to look around and begin the process of putting some magic
into the life of a child and yourself!
Think back to your youth. Think about
the person in your childhood who shared new experiences and ideas with
you. Perhaps it was a teacher, a coach, or a grandmother. Regardless,
they introduced some magic into your world and enriched your life. By
becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, you too can turn little bits of
magic into big moments in a child's life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches
caring screened volunteers as mentors with children in our community who
have been identified as needing one more healthy adult in their life to
offer friendship, guidance, and support.
Nationally Big
Brothers Big Sisters of America has been serving children since 1904.
We have been Serving Children in the Flathead County since 1978.
Our Mentoring Works
National research has shown that the positive
relationships between youth and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have
a direct and measurable impact on children's lives. Little Brothers and
Sisters are:
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More confident in their
schoolwork performance
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Able to get along better with
their families
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46% less likely to begin
using illegal drugs
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27% less likely to begin
using alcohol
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52% less likely to skip
school
Nationally, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been recognized as a
BluePrint For Violence Prevention by the University of Colorado at
Boulder and by Forbes Magazine as one of the top ten most
efficient charities at focusing its resources on its mission.
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History
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It was more than century ago, on December
3, 1904, in Lower Manhattan. A boy's life hung in the balance, the
weight of an 18-month reformatory sentence about to crush his future.
Then Ernest Coulter, Clerk of the Court of Special Sessions of the City
of New York, made his famous plea:
"There is only one possible way to save
that youngster, and that is to have some earnest, true man volunteer to
be his big brother. To look after him, to help him do right, to make the
little chap feel that there is at least one human being in this great
city who takes a personal interest in him, who cares whether he lives or
dies. I call for a volunteer."
When the first gentleman stood to
volunteer, Big Brothers of New York City began. Coulter's audience, a
New York City men's club of business and community leaders, immediately
saw the strength of this brave new idea. By the end of the day, 39 men
had volunteered, and thus 39 futures were salvaged.
Eight years later, in June of 1912, Mrs.
William K. Vanderbilt helped to form the Big Sisters organization. In
1921, the Big Brother and Big Sister Federation incorporated in New York
State.
There are now over 450 Big Brothers Big
Sisters agencies in the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Flathead County just celebrated their 30th Anniversary.
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Leadership - Board of
Directors
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Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County has an active working Board that
is driven by a passionate vision to work towards a community in which
adults share a sense of responsibility for the well being of children.
In this time more than 1,200 children have known the friendship and
support of a Big Brother, Big Sister or Lunch Pail Pal. The impact of
these relationships within our community is well founded, with many of
the BBBS “Littles” continuing the legacy of community service that they
learn from their “Big.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead
County is currently accepting Board Member applications. If you are
interested in being a part of this wonderful organization, please print
and mail the following form to:
Big Brothers Big Sisters
137 Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
Board
Application
After
we receive your application, you will be contacted to set up a Board
Orientation meeting.
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BOARD MEMBERS – BIG
BROTHERS BIG SISTERS – July 2008 |
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Name/Position |
Business |
Occupation |
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Lori Alsbury |
Kalispell |
Community Relations
Kalispell Regional Medical Center |
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Zac
Andrews |
Kalispell |
Broker
Montana West Realty |
Dorinda Gray
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Whitefish |
Agent
Farm Bureau Insurance &
Financial Services Agent |
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Toni Gunnerson |
Kalispell |
Part time Teacher
Retired Teacher |
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Ron
Hoye |
Kalispell |
Retired |
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Charles Hubbard |
Bigfork |
Retired |
Ashley McGuire
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Whitefish |
Realtor
Real Estate at Prudential of Whitefish
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Annie Mitton |
Lakeside |
Director of Before and After School Programs in Somers / Lakeside School District |
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Meet the Staff
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Introducing The Staff at
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County |
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Executive Director
Tim Sievers |
Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Flathead County recently hired Tim Sievers to
serve as the agency’s new Executive Director. Tim comes to us
from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saginaw Bay Area in Michigan,
where he served as Fund Development Director. Tim also has
experience in public relations working for the Michigan House of
Representatives and Senate. Tim has been married to his wife
Tracy Lee for 8 years and they have two daughters – Ainsley and
Arabella.
“I’m really
excited to be here in the Valley and I look forward to working
alongside our dedicated staff, board and volunteers to
strengthen the program and bring our life-changing mentoring
programs to the youth of our community who so desperately need a
positive, caring and consistent adult in their lives.” You can email
Tim at:
tim@bbbsfc.org
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Administrative Assistant
Christal Moody |
Administrative Assistant, Christal Moody, has worked for Big
Brothers Big Sisters since July 2005. She works mainly in the
office doing the financial part of the organization, and plays a
large part in fund raising events. Her favorite part of working
at Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeing the program work magic in
the lives of children & volunteers in the Flathead Valley.
You can email
Christal at:
christal@bbbsfc.org
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Match Specialist
Kim Krueger |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County recently hired Kim Krueger to serve as the agency’s new Match Specialist. Kim comes to us from Missoula, MT where she was the Tour Department Director/Manager for the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Throughout the years, Kim has had a variety of experiences working with children and in management. She recently married her husband Joe in July and has three step children, Robbie, Jordan and Natalie.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of such a great organization and look forward to creating and supporting strong mentoring relationships between the youth and dedicated volunteers of Flathead County to benefit not only the youth, but the community as a whole.”
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Contact Us
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137 Main StreetKalispell MT
59901
406.752.0092 Tel
406.257.5182 Fax Email:
email@bbbsfc.org
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