Eric Rayford was first matched as a Big Brother in January, 2000. Eric has been matched with two Little Brothers over his two decades of involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters. In September, Eric also personally raised over $3,000 for General Motors’ first ever Move For Kids’ Sake fundraiser. We recently asked Eric to share some of his personal highlights and perspectives from his time as a mentor, advocate, and fundraiser for BBBSMD. “The 3 to 4 years of being his mentor

In partnership with Delta Dental, Big Brothers Big Sisters kicked off our Spotlight on Civility - Centering Youth, a series of four moderated discussions with youth and business leaders intended to bring a broad spectrum of perspectives and voices to the topic of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. The learnings from these conversations will help inform Big Brothers Big Sisters mission and hopefully, inspire change in our community for the better, forever. Stay tuned f

A BIG Thank You to all of our donors and corporate allies for STEPPING UP BIG to support youth in Metro Detroit. Together, we have raised over $276,000 Corporate allies include: AAA - The Auto Club Group, Delta Dental, Ernst & Young, Citizens Bank, DTE Energy, Strategic Staffing Solutions, Traction Consulting Group, Howard & Howard, BDO, and the Henry Ford Health System. Step Up BIG Detroit! is an opportunity to make a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion [

Fall Fun - Our youth enjoyed the Greenfield Village Hallowe'en Event. Youth and their mentors got a chance to experience a fun evening, including the Hallowe'en Express train ride. From harvest markets and fall themes to costumed storybook characters and ghostly performances, this 40-plus-year Hallowe’en tradition is one of a kind, showcased within the bewitching setting of Greenfield Village after hours. Matches were able to stroll through the village at their own pace, pick

From the moment that Big Sister Kristin met Little Sister Mariana, she knew that Mariana, even at just nine years old, has a bright future. Upon their first “match meeting” in 2018, Kristin recalled Mariana as sweet, quiet, and above all else, curious. “She was the sweetest kid ever— and so smart! She was also so quiet,” says Big Sister Kristin. Mariana and Kristin immediately hit it off. Together, they’ve gone on ice cream outings, perused the Detroit Institute of Arts, and

Dear Friends, "When you get to a place where you understand that love and belonging, your worthiness, is a birthright and not something you have to earn, anything is possible." - Brene Brown. I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “belonging”. In conversations with youth in our community over the past two weeks, it has been a recurring theme. Not inclusion, but the more personal state of belonging. For youth it seems to mean feeling connected, safe, heard, seen and accepted