Our History.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc. has a rich and proud history:                        

 

Bert Grisard, the first staff person, was hired as Executive Director, and the agency began to provide mentors for children from single-parent families. 

1977

 

Received the support of a local foundation to purchase an office building to house several non-profit agencies under one roof at 107 Westdale Avenue. 

1993

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Forsyth County was officially changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc., and Bert Grisard’s title changed from Executive Director to President/CEO.

2001

 

Bert Grisard retired after serving almost 32 years and over 12,000 children. Amy R. Mack was later named President and CEO.

2009

 

Murray Miller, Big Brother to Jolen, wins Big Brother of the year. 

Kicked off The Big Picture Campaign to fund the move to a new facility will be able to thoroughly connect our former and current volunteers, children, and their families, our donors, and the community.

2018

1982

Held first Bowl For Kids’ Sake

1999

Began an endowment campaign under the direction of the Board of Directors.  Members made leadership gifts, and the agency received matching grants from three local foundations.

June: Wanda Starke, WXII news anchorwoman, and Big Sister to Courtney was selected as the National Big Sister of the Year.

October: Opened a satellite office in Mocksville and hired a caseworker for Davie County.

2005

Bert Grisard received the national Skip Walsh award for Executive Directors at the National Conference in Washington, DC.

2012

Amy R. Mack resigned and Shawan Gabriel was later named President/CEO.

2019

The Big Picture Campaign raised the target $2,000,000 goal.

Moved into the Kate B. Reynolds Mentoring Center at 200 Marshall Street, Southwest.   

2024

Donna Roberson, Big Sister, and Melvina Little Sister 

win National Big and Little Sister of the Year.

 

Our Agency History:

  • 1977: Bert Grisard, the first staff person, was hired as Executive Director, and the agency began to provide mentors for children from single-parent families. 

  • 1982: Held the first  Bowl For Kids’ Sake.

  • 1993: Received the support of a local foundation to purchase an office building to house several non-profit agencies under one roof at 107 Westdale Avenue. 

  • 1999: Began an endowment campaign under the direction of the Board of Directors.  Members made leadership gifts, and the agency received matching grants from three local foundations. 

    • Chosen as one of the agencies to pilot the Site-Based program and started providing volunteers to children at elementary schools. 

    • June: Wanda Starke, WXII news anchorwoman, and Big Sister to Courtney was selected as the National Big Sister of the Year.

    • September: Created the Director of Development and Communication position through initial support from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

    • Formed an Advisory Committee in Davie County to develop a plan for the expansion into Davie County. 

    • October: Opened a satellite office in Mocksville and hired a caseworker for Davie County.

  • 2000: An Advisory Committee was formed in Elkin to develop a plan for the expansion of services into the tri-county Yadkin Valley area.  In December 2000, a satellite office opened in Elkin and a part-time Case Manager was hired.

  • 2001: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Forsyth County was officially changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc., and Bert Grisard’s title changed from Executive Director to President/CEO in order to reflect the expanded services and geographic reach. 

    • May: Celebrated our 25th Anniversary with Lynn Swann, the BBBSA national spokesperson, as the guest speaker.

  • 2004: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America celebrated its Centennial Anniversary.

  • 2005: Bert Grisard received the national Skip Walsh award for Executive Directors at the National Conference in Washington, DC.

  • 2006: The office building at 107 Westdale Avenue is completely paid for.

  • 2009: Bert Grisard retired after serving almost 32 years and over 12,000 children. Amy R. Mack was later named President and CEO.

  • 2012: Amy R. Mack resigned and Shawan Gabriel was later named President/CEO.

  • 2014: BBBSA Finalist for National Agency of the year.

  • 2018: Murray Miller, Big Brother to Jolen, wins Big Brother of the year. 

    • Kicked off The Big Picture Campaign to fund the move to a new facility will be able to thoroughly connect our former and current volunteers, children, and their families, our donors, and the community.

  • 2019: The Big Picture Campaign raised the target $2,000,000 goal.

    Moved into the Kate B. Reynolds Mentoring Center at 200 Marshall Street, Southwest.

  • 2024: Donna Roberson, Big Sister, and Melvina Little Sister win National Big and Little Sister of the Year.

Click here for National’s History.