WHO WE ARE
“The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult.” -Center on the Developing Child
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida (BBBSNEFL), is a mentoring organization that creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Working within the communities of Northeast Florida since 1914, BBBSNEFL has effectively inspired change in the lives of thousands through impactful mentoring programs and meaningful relationships that defend and ignite today’s youth to reach their full potential. We currently have active matches in Nassau, Duval, Baker, Clay, and Volusia Counties including a service footprint reaching Putnam, Flagler and Union Counties.
By placing a caring adult in the life of a child, BBBSNEFL creates safe, high-quality, long-lasting mentoring relationships that help vulnerable youth beat the odds and reach their full potential through personal and academic achievement. Professionally supported by our staff, road-maps for success are developed in concert with parents, children, and mentors.
More than 100 years later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founder’s vision of bringing allies and defenders into the lives of children. Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states and in 12 countries around the world!
OUR IMPACT…
We encourage you to view our Impact Reports to see how we’ve set our foundation, transitioned our program alignment and re-established growth patterns in all realms of our agency over time. We aim to innovate, engage and strengthen our organization year-round.
IN 2019-20, WE MADE A BIG IMPACT
youth were served in
Northeast Florida
were promoted on time to the next grade
children maintained
or improved attendance
youth had no behavioral
referrals or suspensions
*Statistics based on metrics obtained for 706 of 777 matches served
MEET THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA TEAM
STEPHANIE AKANBI
Match Support Specialist
Favorite Childhood Show:
Hey Arnold

SARA ALFORD
Chief Executive Officer
Favorite Childhood Memory:
Cooking with my mom

NYREE BOWEN-TENNANT
Match Support Specialist
Favorite Childhood Toy:
Munchee-chee

RAINEY CRAWFORD
Area Manager – Nassau County
Favorite Childhood Toy:
My stuffed animal, Sam

SAMANTHA DECARLO
Education Support Specialist
Favorite Childhood Toy:
A basketball

ISABELLE DEDRICK
Enrollment Match Specialist
Favorite Childhood Movie:
Mary Poppins

BEVERLY FILER
Vice President of Programs
Favorite Childhood Activity:
Playing Softball

BRIANA JOHNSON
Director of Communications & Outreach
Favorite Childhood Movie:
Matilda

MARILYN HILL
Enrollment Match Specialist
Favorite Childhood Movie:
Wizard of Oz

BAYLEE MCMILLEN
Accounting Specialist
Favorite Childhood Toy:
My Bicycle

MEGAN ORTEGA
Director of Fund Development
Favorite Childhood Movie:
Pocahontas

MICHELLE PATRICK
Director of Quality
Assurance & Compliance
Favorite Childhood Toy:
Rubik’s Cube

DANA PORCELLI
Match Support Specialist
Favorite Childhood Movie:
The Little Mermaid

EUSTACHIUS ROBERTS
Match Support Specialist
Favorite Childhood Show:
Power Rangers

JULIE SOLOMON
Chief Financial Officer
Favorite Childhood Toy:
Easy Bake Oven

HARLAN STALLINGS
Director of Volunteer Recruitment
Favorite Childhood Show:
G-Force: Guardians of Space

DAISERAE WHITE
Enrollment Match Specialist
Favorite Childhood Show:
A Different World

GWEN YATES
Match Support Specialist
Favorite Childhood Movie:
3 Ninjas
TOGETHER, WE ARE
Defenders of Potential
GIVE TODAY
Your financial support helps us provide programs to children in our local community who need it the most! Your donation helps us develop more college grads, community leaders, and entrepreneurs.
BE A BIG
Interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister? It’s a life-changing experience that gives the gift of friendship that will last a lifetime. Through one-to-one mentoring, lives are changing everyday.
BECOME A PARTNER
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous partners. By committing to a partnership, your contributions foster long-term mentoring relationships and academic support for at-risk children.
Contact Us
Feel free to give us a call during office hours, or send us a message using our contact form. We aim to respond to all queries from our site within 24 hours.
ADDRESS
40 East Adams Street,
Suite 220
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
PHONE
P: 904.727.9797
F: 904.727.9994
HOURS
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
NEWSLETTER