About Us

we’re people who care, just like you

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.

By the numbers

CHILDREN WATCHED WITH A BIG

49% MALE 51% FEMALE

Adults matched wıth a little

40% MALE 60% FEMALE

Our lıttles come from many backgrounds

37% MALE 31% FEMALE

Our ımpact

With help from people like you…

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

GET TO KNOW OUR

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Mark Ferster

Vice President of Operations

Jeanie Baik

Vice President of Programs and Volunteer Experience

Art Isaacson

Vice President of Finance

Kamala Martinez

President And CEO

Gina Taylor

Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Jan Boram

VP - Human Resources

Ras Fernando

Comptroller

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.

Hear it directly from our community

“When we help others we grow into the people we need to be… Sometimes what appears to be ‘small’ to us is ‘big to someone else.”

— Carlos Bates, Big Brother of the Year

Looking for a specific OFFICE?

Address

5731 Rosin Way,
Sarasota FL 34233

Phone

Venice: (941) 488-4009

Sarasota: (941) 331-4376

Get Directions

Address

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

Phone

Port Charlotte: (941) 764-5812

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

By the numbers

CHILDREN WATCHED WITH A BIG

49% MALE 51% FEMALE

Adults matched wıth a little

40% MALE 60% FEMALE

Our lıttles come from many backgrounds

37% MALE 31% FEMALE

Our ımpact

With help from people like you…

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.

GET TO KNOW OUR

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Mark Ferster

Jeanie Baik

Art Isaacson

Kamala Martinez

Gina Taylor

Jan Boram

Ras Fernando

Igniting POTENTIAL

HOLDING OURSELVES Accountable

View Our 2020-2021 IRS Form

Access Our 2020-2021 Financial Statements

Review Our Privacy Policy

Hear it directly from our community

— Carlos Bates, Big Brother of the Year

We’re here to help

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