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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County was one of nine local organizations recently awarded a Mentoring Matters grant through the First Niagara Foundation. The awards were announced during a ceremony at the First Niagara Center on October 3rd that included First Niagara executives, local officials and Buffalo Sabres Coach, Ted Nolan. First Niagara employee and BBBSEC Big Sister, Patty Szwed, shared her positive experience as a mentor to her 11 year old Little Sister Reina during the event. The two will be matched for one-year at the end of October! Launched in 2007 by First Niagara, Mentoring Matters supports programs that help children improve their grades and school attendance, enhance their self-esteem, avoid the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and have a better opportunity…

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, a group of Bigs, Littles and staff marched along side of our decorated Ford Friendship Van in the Puerto Rican Day parade. Our marchers handed out lollipops that included our contact information on the stick. It was a terrific parade and we had a wonderful time!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is honored to celebrate Lorna MacDonald Czarnota as this week’s featured Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree!  Lorna, an award-winning storyteller and author, has delighted audiences in schools, libraries, festivals and conferences throughout the United States, Canada, and Ireland with traditional and original stories since 1985.  She is the founder and executive director of Crossroads Story Center, Inc., a not-for-profit reaching at-risk youth through story, music and art.  The organization is dedicated to helping young people navigate troubled waters through the model of story by mentoring and forming productive adult/youth partnerships.  Lorna’s healing story work is recognized in national and international storytelling communities. Lorna was the resident storyteller for nine years at Hopevale Residential Treatment Center and presents…

BBBS of Erie County and Media Sponsor Kiss 98.5 & Janet Snyder are excited to celebrate Carmaletta Zandi as today’s Women Who Move the City Wednesday Honoree! Carmaletta has dedicated over fourteen years to the community as the Founder of the Morlock Foundation, Inc. The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life, specifically focusing on those suffering from traumatic experiences. Services provided by the office located in Buffalo include a food pantry, work with foster children who have aged out of the system, support for foster parents and lastly, Save the Family, a program that offers support to families that suffer from the traumas that come with disease or disability. The foundation, which was started with Carmaletta’s funds, is a completely volunteer and donation-based organization. While she is in…

Big Brothers Big Sisters is honored to celebrate Alexa Zappia as our first Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree!  Alexa, a native of  Williamsville, is currently a senior at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. In 2009, Alexa faced tragedy when her life mentor, Susan Wehle, suddenly passed away in the Flight 3407 plane crash. Alexa wanted to do something that would make her proud by continuing to touch peoples’ lives as Susan touched hers. How does a 12-year-old grieve such a tragedy? To Alexa, she found her life’s purpose: to volunteer at struggling organizations within the Buffalo community. Since the plane crash, Alexa has accumulated over 3,000 volunteer hours. Alexa has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for three consecutive years during Barack Obama’s…