The BIG Give!

We are excited to announce that the video submitted by Big Sister, Emily Felmet, that was a finalist in First Niagara’s 2016 Mentoring Matters Grant Giveaway Contest. won the top prize of  $10,000! Thank you to all who voted and shared the contest with friends, family and colleagues through Facebook and to First Niagara for this wonderful opportunity.  A BIG thank you to Big Sister Emily & Little Sister Quinn who shared their 5+ year friendship with the community to make this all possible. To view the final results click here.  To view the video, created by Odessa Pictures, click here.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is honored to celebrate  Deborah Tangelder as this week’s featured Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree!  Deborah is the owner of The Perfect Gift & Clothing Boutique, located in historic Clarence Center. The storefront name, The Perfect Gift, was inspired by the Bible verse James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift comes from above.” Deb considers it a privilege to make a difference and that there is a purpose in her store that goes well beyond beautiful things. It’s about touching lives and hearts, and inspiring others. Since opening 14 years ago, she has used her business to help in multiple capacities as part of “The Perfect Gift Gives Back” project. From local causes, to schools, churches, and national…

BBBS of Erie County and Media Sponsor Kiss 98.5 & Janet Snyder are excited to celebrate Sister Mary Augusta Kaiser as today’s Women Who Move the City Wednesday Honoree! Sister Mary Augusta Kaiser founded the Teaching and Restoring Youth (TRY) Program, a home for homeless young women ages 16 to 21. These young women have suffered victimization, violence and are at risk for prostitution. TRY provides case management, counseling, health and wellness programs and classes in independent living skills. Each client is provided an individual bedroom and help from staff to return to school or to work on obtaining a GED. Since 1997, over 290 young women have been served and have begun to heal from the scars of abuse they have suffered. As shared in the nomination for Sister Mary…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County and Media Sponsor, Kiss 98.5 are excited to honor Julie Signorille as our first Women Who Move the City Wednesday Honoree! Julie currently serves on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County’s Board of Directors and is active in making connections for Big Brothers Big Sisters throughout the community. She is always looking to forge partnerships and seeking opportunities that enhance the quality of mentoring the program provides to children facing adversity. Julie is also a member of the WNY Women’s Foundation Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Family Sustaining Jobs Committee. This committee strives to reduce barriers to single, female heads of households’ seeking education and employment. A current initiative of the committee includes a partnership…

Lauren Lewis – Defender of Potential    Lauren, a Partner at StaffBuffalo, a local women-owned, full-service professional staffing firm, combines her background in sales, her love of working with people, and her passion for WNY.  Lauren has a love for working with people and developing strong relationships, and she brings that enthusiasm and positivity into work every day.   Lauren works to help others reach their true and full potential through coaching people to find meaningful jobs, helping to build up companies through identifying exceptional employees, and through dedicated volunteer mentor work. Lauren is actively involved with Buffalo Prep, Child & Family Services, the local colleges, Buffalo Public Schools, and her Alma Mater, Nardin Academy. Through these organizations, Lauren works with students of all ages, providing…