Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities

🟢 Rolling right past our goal! We aimed for 125 new mentors to join #TheBigRecruit, and today ... ahe ahem, we have 130!!! 🥳🥳🥳 BIIIIIIIIIIIG thanks to every person who has stepped up to be a mentor! Way to get that W for Twin Cities youth, future BIGS! But WAIT, National Mentoring Month isn’t over yet! There are still over 600 Twin Cities youth waiting for a Big just like YOU. Will YOU be next to roll into mentorship? Every mentor means more laughter, more adventures, and more opportunities for Twin Cities youth to thrive. Let’s keep the momentum going, community! New Year, New YOUth Mentor 💚 Special appearances by: Pink-Pong 130, Corinne Castro, Adalí Flores-Mendoza, Sandi Richmond, Johnnie Merritt, Pat Sukhum, and Denise Rene Hannah #BiggerTogether #NationalMentoringMonth #TwinCitiesMentors

This past Monday, I was honored to attend the City of Brooklyn Center City Council meeting to advocate for youth mentoring opportunities with Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities. One of my personal goals this year is to deepen my civic engagement in the communities we serve, and this was such a meaningful step toward that commitment! After I spoke during the Open forum, Mayor April Graves, immediately encouraged the community to take action. She said: “I strongly encourage folks to take up that mission of being a mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters does important work. If you have time—please volunteer to be a mentor.” When I tell you, her words fueled something SO DEEP in my spirit! Thank YOU, Mayor Graves, for your unwavering support and for inspiring us all through your dedication to the community! This moment was a reminder of the power of collective action and advocacy. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a mentor, now is the time to #BeBig for Twin Cities youth. #BiggerTogether #TheBigRecruit https://zurl.co/RszOE

Let’s give a BIG welcome to our newest staff members! 💚 Karin Pecchia (She/Her) – Family Match Support Coordinator Karin shares: “ I love to read, play games, harmonize, and plan my next meal - but meaningful relationships (filled with connection and laughter) are what keep me going. I have worked in Social Services for much of my adult life and find that walking alongside others on their journey is what I love to do most.” 💚 Denise Rene Hannah (She/Her) – Manager of Enrollment & Matching Denise Rene says: “I’m passionate about helping people use their time, talent, and resources to make a difference in their communities. I have experience in community engagement across nonprofits, faith-based organizations, youth programs, government, and social services.”  🎉 Welcome to the team, Karin and Denise Rene! 🎉 

💡 Wondering what it’s like to be a Big? We have all the answers to your #BigQuestions! 💚 From what youth look for in mentors to tips for building a great connection with your Little, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.  👉 Ready to make 2025 your year to be Big? Join the Big Recruit, and create meaningful memories through youth mentorship! https://lnkd.in/gFCiiBVc #BiggerTogether #Volunteer #NationalMentoringMonth #TheBigRecruit

🌹 Roses are red, violets are blue… Give Day is here, and we need YOU! Want to spread the love this Valentine’s season? Create a personal fundraising page and invite your community to join the fun! Every gift supports mentorship that amplifies the potential of Twin Cities youth. https://zurl.co/ho7tW Plus, all gifts made between now and February 14th will count towards our $20,000 goal! Let’s make this all about heart, mentoring, and BIG impact! 💚 #BiggerTogether #GiveDay

🚀 Big news: We’ve added even more star power to our Board of Directors! Please join us in welcoming Kelvin Johnson Jr., CPA and Feben Gobena 🥳🎉 Kelvin Johnson Jr., CPA, Co-Founder and CEO of Brevity - Your A.I. Sales Coach, a Twin Cities-based company backed by five institutional investors, uses AI-powered software to help professionals deliver persuasive pitches and presentations. He has been featured in Minneapolis Business Journal and Star Tribune and has spoken at Twin Cities Startup Week. Originally from West Philadelphia, Kelvin has lived in several cities, including New York City, Dallas, Denver, and currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kelvin holds a Master’s degree in Accountancy & Professional Consultancy and a bachelor’s degree in Finance & Accounting from Villanova University. Feben Gobena leads marketing for Display and Electronics Products at 3M. She has had the great fortune to live and work in various places around the world which enrich her understanding of diverse experiences and the importance of community. Collaboration is at the heart of how she works and is passionate about working with the BBBS TC. Feben is a self-proclaimed science geek who has always been curious about how things work and how to make them better. She credits much of her journey to the incredible mentors who guided and supported her along the way. #BiggerTogether https://lnkd.in/gbcsB5J

55 new Bigs, 70 more to go! 🔥 We’re ping-ponging our way toward 125 new mentors, but we’re not done yet! Join #TheBigRecruit, and get ready to inspire, encourage, and have some serious fun with Twin Cities youth as a mentor! 💚 https://zurl.co/RszOE Special shout out to our staff Seth Anderson, Sandi Richmond, Nicki Berger, Tess Malaske and Zinzile Kretchmer Sibanda who made this video even more fun! #BiggerTogether #TwinCitiesMentors #NationalMentoringMonth

✨ What are your new year goals? At our first match hangout of the year, Littles and Bigs crafted inspiring vision boards, sealed heartfelt winter time capsules for their future selves, and took home Fresh Start Bingo sheets filled with fun activities to complete together. It was a magical evening of setting goals, building memories, and celebrating the start of an exciting year ahead! ❄️ Want to help Twin Cities youth make their vision boards a reality this year? 💚 Join #TheBigRecruit: https://lnkd.in/ggeRQ9-T #BiggerTogether #Volunteer #NationalMentoringMonth

👀 We spy with our little eyes… a future youth mentor! Could it be YOU? Join #theBigRecruit and be 1 of 125 new mentors this National Mentoring Month. Be the person a Little has been waiting for—fun, inspiring, and ready to explore opportunities together! New Year, New YOUth Mentor! Sign up today to get started. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gFCiiBVc #BeBig #BiggerTogether #TwinCitiesMentor #NationalMentoringMonth

It starts with a Little, and a Big, and their stories. It pulls in families, and communities, and has a ripple effect that impacts us all. I had the joy of talking with Angela Davis and Sarah Schaefer, M.Ed on Minnesota Public Radio about the transformative power of youth mentoring. Even better, I got to listen as incredible callers shared their stories, spanning decades, linked by shared experiences, and speaking to the profound impact of mentoring on mental health, belonging, resilience, connection, and happiness. If you’ve been part of the mentoring journey as a mentor or a mentee, I’d love to hear your story. And, consider starting a new mentoring journey at Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities or through one of the many fantastic mentoring programs you can find at MENTOR Minnesota. Let’s keep the ripple going.