In the heart of Minnesota, where community values are woven deeply into our daily lives, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been a beacon of hope, guidance, and opportunity for more than 55 years. We have dedicated ourselves to mentoring young people, helping them shape their futures, and fostering relationships that last a lifetime. 

As the African proverb beautifully says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This principle perfectly summarizes our approach at BBBS. By joining forces across Central Minnesota, the Twin Cities, and Southern Minnesota, we’ve learned that together, our Big Brothers Big Sisters’ impact extends far beyond what any of us could achieve independently. 

We recently spent a day together where the ideas and conversation were filling the room. Through this collaboration, we maximize our resources and pool our collective expertise to serve more children, families, and communities. Our success isn’t just measured by numbers or statistics, but by the stories of transformation and resilience. By working together, BBBS programs not only enrich the lives of individual Littles and Bigs, but we also strengthen the communities we serve. Each bond forged between a mentor and mentee creates a ripple of positivity that touches countless lives. 

Looking to the future, this collaboration between BBBS programs across Minnesota shines as a source of inspiration for our colleagues across the country. It shows that through partnership, we can amplify our impact and plant the seeds for a brighter tomorrow. Together, we rise to meet challenges, celebrate our successes, and continue empowering the next generation to dream bigger and reach higher than ever before. 

Reflecting on my 14 years in this role, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a monumental cultural shift within our Minnesota BBBS agencies. We’ve moved from operating independently to working collaboratively, transforming the way we serve our communities. The person I credit for leading this change is Mr. Jeff Fetters, Chairman of Federated Insurance Companies and chair of the Federated Challenge for Kids fundraiser, which supports our three agencies and the national BBBS office. Jeff’s mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering belief in our mission to stand with kids has enabled our agencies to go further together, creating lasting change that will resonate for generations to come. 

I want to take a moment to thank my wonderful colleagues, Pat Sukham, Twin Cities, and Michelle Redman, Southern Minnesota, and offer my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Jeff Fetters. Together, we are truly making a difference. 

PS: If you want to see collaboration demonstrated in on social media, check out the Reel that the three Minnesota agencies plus staff from the national office came together to create!

With hope and gratitude,