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About Us

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is the largest mentoring organization in Northwest Washington, serving over 400 children annually in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

We have a BIG dream of transforming our communities, our state, and eventually our nation through a mentoring movement that brings a caring, supportive adult mentor into the life of every child who needs and wants one. It is our vision to have successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for generations to come.

We know that 240,000 youth in Washington could benefit from a mentor, but fewer than 30,000 have one. We are working towards closing that gap. It is our mission to help children in Northwest Washington reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is a true change agent, committed to providing an adult mentor for every child who needs or wants one. Mentoring is a proven strategy that changes how children grow up in our community by meeting critical needs of our region’s children and engaging all levels of community. We help children build the attitudes and behaviors needed to stay in school, succeed academically, make healthy choices, and create promising futures.

For more than thirty years, we have been the gold standard in child safety when it comes to matching children with adult volunteers. We support our matches by providing orientation and ongoing trainings, professional match support, and monthly activities. We advocate for mentoring to local, state and federal governments. We make quality matches that stand the test of time, lasting an average of almost three years.

By matching children with adult mentors in one-to-one relationships, we transform the life of a child (a Little), transform the life of an adult (a Big) and together transform our schools, our neighborhoods and our communities for the better.

Check out some videos about mentoring and Big Brothers Big Sisters NW on our YouTube page

Our experienced Board of Directors and Leadership Team are dedicated to helping local children by providing strong leadership, developing quality programs and delivering measurable results.

2012 Board of Directors
President:	Jacob Petz Real Estate
Vice-President of Operations:	Stan Chronister ECOLAB Corporation
Vice-President of Fund Development:	Sheila Connors Chamber of Commerce
Vice-President of Board Development:	Pete Kremen Whatcom County Council
Treasurer:	Tom Harding, CPA, MBA Varner Sytsma Herndon
Secretary:	Whitney Crawford Bank of the Pacific
2012 Active Members

Tim Murphy
Innovative Industrial Constructors

Susie Alvarez
U.S. Bank

Amanda L. Sell, MA, CSP
Management Recruiters of Lynden, INC.

Teri MacPhee
Chicago Title

2012 Advisory Council Members

Tim Costello Director of service learning at Western Washington University	Patty Mckeown President of Bellingham Technical College
Louise Mugar Editor and co-owner of The Northern LightDr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown President of Whatcom Community College	Steve Swann Vice President for University Relations at WWUBill Elfo Sheriff of Whatcom County

Emeritus

Chuck Snyder
Whatcom County Superior Court

Karen Martin
Barlean’s Organic Oils

Leadership Circle

The Little Moments Big Magic Leadership Circle celebrates individual supporters and organizations who have shown exceptional commitment to furthering the mission and vision of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington over the past year. They have joined together to make a significant and lasting impact now and for generations to come.

2011 Leadership Circle

Dream Makers $10,000+

BP Cherry Point Refinery • United Way of Whatcom County

Volunteers of America • Washington State Mentors

Magic Makers $5,000+

Arby’s Foundation Inc. • Blue Sea Systems • BP Foundation

City of Bellingham • Dan & Anne Cantrell

Karen Barlean • Medina Foundation

Match Makers $1,500+

Alaska Airlines
Arne Hanna Aquatic Center
Amanda Sell
Barb Barlean
Barleans Organic Oils
Bellingham Bay Rotary Club
Ben & Meridith Mossman
Bob Olsen, M.D.
Botanical Laboratories
Chris and Mike Farkas
Chris Murray

Dr. Kurt Swanson, DDS
Janet Silva Lippert
Matrix Service Company
Norcliffe Foundation
Rick Parks
Samson Rope Technologies
Swinomish Tribal Community
The Unity Group
Thomas & Martina Horn Foundation
Travis & Kara Millhollin
Whatcom County Health Dept.

Friend Makers $1,000+

Avalon Golf Links
Barkley Village Family Dentistry
Bellingham Theater Guild
Ben Siemanowski
Bonnie Rice
Brooks Manufacturing
David and Theresa Torres
Darrell and Annie Snyder
Jim and Theresa Reavis

Kohl’s
Lummi Indian Business Council
Marty & Robin Bull
Microsoft Matching Giving Campaign
Northwood Casino
Peacehealth St. Joseph Medical Center
Par Yacht Charters

Rich and Mary Harbison
Robert O’Brien
Roger Jobs, Inc
Ross Youngs
Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation
Security Solutions NW Bellingham Lock and Safe
Scott Renne
Tim and Rebecca Murphy
Whatcom Events

Many businesses and individuals support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington to better serve children throughout Northwest Washington. To learn more about how you can become a valued partner, contact us at (360) 671-6400.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is the largest mentoring organization in Northwest Washington, serving over 400 children in two counties. We look forward to hearing from you!

Main Office

4204 Meridian Street, Suite 101

Bellingham, WA 98226

(360) 671-6400 – phone

(360) 671-3832 – fax

email us!

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Staff Directory

CEO, Bliss Goldstein

blissg@bbbs-nw.org, 671-6400 x107

Program Director, Colleen Haggerty

colleenh@bbbs-nw.org, 671-6400 x102