We are here to start something
Big Brothers Big Sisters is not your typical organization. We help children realize their potential and build their futures. We nurture children and strengthen communities. And we couldn’t do any of it without you.
Big Brother Big Sisters of Northeast AL.
January was National Mentoring Month, and what a way to kick it off by announcing the selection of one of our own, Mary Ann Rickles into the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) National Youth Council! She is a former Big who was chosen as one of a group of young leaders from across the country to advise, inspire, and shape the future of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Congratulations, Mary Ann, you are a true example of #bbbspeeps Passionate Essential Empowering Pillar!
Changing Perspectives &
Changing Lives!
Our Mission:
Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships
that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Our Vision:
All youth achieve their full potential.
Our Accountability:
By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers, and
others in the community we are accountable for each child in
our program achieving:
Overview of Big Brother Big Sisters of Northeast AL.
For more than 38 years professional staff have matched local children who are facing adversity with safe, positive mentors in one to one mentoring relationships. The proven results of these wonderful friendships are improved grades and behavior; decreased use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs; increased self esteem, confidence, and caring about others. Mentors and staff are in a unique position to detect neglect and abuse of children; influence parents; bring awareness to community leaders of the needs of children of adversity. These children grow up to be productive adults.
Description
Children may be referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters by a parent or guardian, counselor, physician, Department of Human Resources, Department of Public Health, School staff, judicial system, friends, and relatives. With parental/guardian consent, the child is matched with a safe, screened volunteer who has agreed to visit with the child four or more hours or per month for an appropriate fun one on one activity. Matches are made based on personality, interests, and locality and are managed with regular follow up by Big Brothers Big Sisters professional case managers.
General Information
Although the mentor may choose to visit the child only at school, others may choose to visit the child in the community attending events or spending time together on fun one to one activities: fishing, hiking, camping, ballgames, picnics, swimming, fishing, church activities, manicures, biking, playing games, or just hanging out! There are also frequent free group activities provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters for Bigs and Littles and their families.
Awards
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama is proudly accredited by the Standards for Excellence Institute as having met all the requirements of the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama was awarded the Gold Standard Award for high achievement by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The Growth Award was awarded to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama for its achievements by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Our Partners
United Way of Etowah, Calhoun and Talladega Counties, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama, Stringfellow Health Fund, Wells Fargo, Premiere Cinemas, Sunny King Charity Classic, City of Anniston, City of Jacksonville, City of Gadsden, Department of Homeland Security, Anniston Kiwanis Clubs and Gadsden Kiwanis Club, Honda, Etowah County Community Development Committees, Exchange Bank, WinSouth Credit Union, Alabama Power, APSO, America’s First Federal Credit Union, Southern States Bank, Regions Bank, Etowah County Sheriff Departments. Calhoun County Sheriff Department, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Battelle, Gadsden State Community College, Gold’s Gym, New Flyer, Back Forty Beer Company, Job Corps, First United Methodist Church of Anniston and of Gadsden.
Our Staff
Shawn Blackmon – CEO
Mr. Blackmon possesses a rich background in mentoring and nonprofit leadership. Mr. Blackmon has a Master and Bachelor degree in theology from AIHL. He brings a deep reservoir of experience and enthusiasm to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Alabama, furthering our mission to empower youth through personalized one-to-one mentoring relationships. Mr. Blackmon joins the BBBS Northeast Alabama team from It’s Your Move, where he held the position of Executive Director, and from UNITY Church, where he serves as Lead Pastor. His Skills in marketing, networking, communication, and fundraising will be crucial for driving growth, expanding partnerships, and improving program development at BBBS. Mr. Blackmon is married to Janice Blackmon, and together they have three adult children and five grandchildren.
Misty Gardner – Program and Case Manager
Mrs. Gardner joined the agency in 2018 as the Case Manager for Calhoun and Talladega Counties. Mrs. Gardner holds a Bachelor degree of Science from Jacksonville State University. Misty is based out of our Calhoun County satellite office and manages the Site Based Programs, School Based Programs, and Community Based Programs, Youth Mental Heath First Aid. Misty is also our Programs Director for the oversight or the agency Quality Assurance and Match Management Compliance. Misty is trained in Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting, Strangulation and Domestic Violence, Protective Factors, Helping Littles Make Safer Choices On- and Off-Line, Fentanyl Facts and Overdose Risks- Mentor Training, Crisis & Issues Communications Support, Family Engagement, Role of Parents and Caregivers in Bullying Prevention, HFI Team Member ( Helping Families Initiative Through East Central AL United Way), Program Case Manager.
Keisha Rice – Case Manager
Mrs. Rice joined agency in 2017 as a VISTA Volunteer, in 2019 she was hired as a part-time Case Manager, and in 2021 she became a Full-time Case Manager for Etowah County. Mrs. Rice has a Bachelor degree in psychology from Grand Canyon University. Keisha is based out of our Gadsden office and manages Site Based Programs, School Based Programs, in city and county schools and our Community Based Programs. Keisha is also our Forms Assembly Manager. Keisha is trained in Program Case Manager, Protective Factors, Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting, Strangulation and Domestic Violence, Youth Mental Health First Aid USA, Fentanyl Test Strip Training, Naloxone Training, Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Families ACADV, ACRES STEM, Extended Family for Kids Program Leader, Protecting Children Through Active Bystanding.
Monica Mostella- Case Manager
Ms. Mostella joined agency in 2021 as a full time Case Manager for Cherokee, Calhoun and Etowah Counties. Ms. Mostella has a Bachelor degree in Social Work from Jacksonville State University. Monica is based out of our Gadsden office and manages Site Based Programs. Monica is trained in Protective Factors, Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting, Strangulation and Domestic Violence, Youth Mental Health First Aid USA, Fentanyl Test Strip Training, Naloxone Training, Impact of Domestic Violence of Children and Families ACADV, ACRES STEM.
Kandi Phillips- Administrative Assistant/Marketing
Mrs. Phillips joined the agency in 2023 as a full time Assistant in charge of Administrative and Marketing. Kandi attended Gadsden State Community College in general Studies. Kandi is based out of our Gadsden office and manages and assists with payroll, fundraising, coordinates events, assists with budgets, audits, assists with grants. Kandi is Certified in Child Abuse Mandated Report, Domestic Violence Training.
Board of Directors
Name
Rachel Taylor
Kevin Hunt
Mary Kathryn Barber
Ceandra James
Jacqueline Tiller
Danny Jackson
Jason Hutchens
Carolyn Richard
Desmond Mitchell
Vicki Lister
Kathy Skipper
Eric Hawkins
Del’ashes Peterson
Brent Mashburn
Ashley Nix
Patty Beal
Keith Ball
Position
Past President
President Elect
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Affiliation
Chief Lending Officer Emblem Credit Union
Community Employment Specialist Darden Vocational Rehab
Rehabilitation Counselor Alabama Department of Rehabilitation
Marketing Specialist Blue Print University
Administrator Assistant Principal Gadsden City
Resourcing Edge/One Digital Southeast Sales Manager
Branch Manager/Loan Officer/ Board Secretary Exchange Bank
Board Login
Our organization earned a 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency!
Now, everyone can see our strategy, metrics, and achievements. Check out our updated #NonprofitProfile on Candid:
Wonderful organization that helps so many young boys and girls in our Community!
I love being a Case Manager at BBBS, but I love being a BIG Sister even more!! This is a great organization and I am very proud of its mission and glad to be a part of helping youth reach their full potential!