We’re people who care, just like you

About Us

We’re on a mission to

Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that IGNITE the power and promise of youth

Our vision is that

All youth achieve their full potential

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast provides one-to-one mentoring relationships to children ages 6-18 years old throughout the Gulf Coast of Florida in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Highlands, Hardee, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties.

Our impact

With help from people like you…

Children matched a Big

37% MALE
63% FEMALE

Adults matched with a little

46% MALE
54% FEMALE

Our littles come from many backgrounds

37% WHITE
30% BLACK
20% HISPANIC
13% OTHER

Of students graduated high school or continued onto their next grade.

RELATED PROGRAM
Decisions To Win

Of high-risk youths and students avoided truancy.

RELATED PROGRAM
Juvenile Justice Mentoring Initiative

Of children maintained or improved reading proficiency.

Of at-risk middle school students were promoted through to high school.

RELATED PROGRAM
Gateway To Success

Of graduates are joining the military, continuing their education, or entering the workforce.

RELATED PROGRAM
Big Futures

By the numbers

Counties Served IN Florida

Youth Matched With a BIG

Family Members Served

Community Service Hours

Basic Needs

$ 1

Education

$ 1

Programs

$ 1

In-Kind

$ 1

Food Insecurity, Rent, Utilities, Counseling

Scholorships and Educational essentials

Education, Workforce readiness, and Health & Wellness

Value of Bigs’ mentoring time

Total Impact

$ 1

GET TO KNOW OUR

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Kamala L. Martinez

President And CEO

Gina Taylor

Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Jeanie Baik

Vice President of Programs and Volunteer Experience

Jennifer Fritch

Kelly Palmer

Art Isaacson

Vice President of Finance

Mark Ferster

Vice President of Operations

Jan Boram

VP - Human Resources

CORPORATE BOARD MEMBERS

Anthony Baldo

Chair

Susan Flynn

Treasurer

Randall Woods

Secretary

Michael Nachef

Past Chair

Doug Baber

Karly Christine

Dr. Willie H. Clemons

Wayne Fischer

Heather Hendricks

Veronica Jellison

Christine Karly

LaShondia Kendrick

Tim Mitten

Donald Patterson

Susan Shephard

Michael Tennant

Dave Wampler

Kent Lane

Amanda Ballard

Igniting POTENTIAL

Since 1968, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping to change kids’ perspectives while giving them the opportunity to reach their potential.

In 1977, the organization was reorganized and renamed, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Sarasota County. During this period, children in communities such as Englewood, North Port, Nokomis, Laurel, Osprey and Venice were serviced.

In 1996, The name was officially changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. Accompanying this change was an expanded service area that added West Charlotte County and established satellite offices in North Port and Englewood.

Since then, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has extended their reach to include the rest of Sarasota County, DeSoto County, Manatee County, Highlands and Hardee County, Lee County, Collier County, plus Hendry and Glades County.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast believes a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization is one where all staff, volunteers, youth, and families feel valued and respected. Through an ongoing commitment to our growth as an agency, we are accessing tools to help our children overcome equity barriers and forge a pathway to achieve their potential.

HOLDING OURSELVES Accountable

View IRS Forms

We believe in full transparency.

Access Our Financial Statements

Review Our Privacy Policy

Hear it directly from our community

“I’m excited about his future. I can picture him going far in life, and it’s amazing I get to be a part of that.”

- Jamie Lipsey, Big Brother

Looking for a specific OFFICE?

Address

5731 Rosin Way,
Sarasota FL 34233

Phone

Venice: (941) 488-4009

Sarasota: (941) 331-4376

Address

Family Services Center,
21500 Gibralter Dr,
Port Charlotte, FL 33952

Phone

Port Charlotte: (941) 764-5812

Englewood: (941) 473-4003

Address

About Us

Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that IGNITE the power and promise of youth

All youth achieve their full potential

Our impact

With help from people like you…

Children matched a Big

37% MALE 63% FEMALE

Adults matched with a little

Our littles come from many backgrounds

37% WHITE 30% BLACK 20% HISPANIC 13% OTHER

Of students graduated high school or continued onto their next grade.

Of high-risk youths and students avoided truancy.

Of children maintained or improved reading proficiency.

Of at-risk middle school students were promoted through to high school.

Of graduates are joining the military, continuing their education, or entering the workforce.

By the numbers

GET TO KNOW OUR

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Kamala L. Martinez

Gina Taylor

Jeanie Baik

Jennifer Fritch

Kelly Palmer

Art Isaacson

Mark Ferster

Jan Boram

CORPORATE BOARD MEMBERS

Anthony Baldo

Susan Flynn

Randall Woods

Michael Nachef

Doug Baber

Karly Christine

Dr. Willie H. Clemons

Wayne Fischer

Heather Hendricks

Veronica Jellison

Christine Karly

LaShondia Kendrick

Tim Mitten

Donald Patterson

Susan Shephard

Michael Tennant

Dave Wampler

Kent Lane

Amanda Ballard

Igniting POTENTIAL

HOLDING OURSELVES Accountable

Hear it directly from our community

- Jamie Lipsey, Big Brother

We’re here to help

Looking for a specific OFFICE?

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Phone

Address

Phone

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Address

Phone

Be the one to show up

37% MALE
63% FEMALE

37% WHITE
30% BLACK
20% HISPANIC
13% OTHER