Future Goals
We have begun the second year of our three-year strategic plan. With our strategic repositioning, our first year resulted in growing the number of youth served to 650, or 15%, after years of little or no growth. We were honored and humbled to receive the Worcester Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit of the Year in 2025. We plan to continue with this momentum by prioritizing fund-development so that we may serve more youth through innovative and quality programming.
The strategic plan focuses on the 4 pillars below:
Reach: Reach more young people with mentoring experiences that puts them on a path to success and happiness.
Relevance: Engage more alumni and champions to join our mission.
Revenue: Generate transformational investment in the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission.
Resources: Become best in class by strengthening staff and board skills and fostering a data-informed culture.
Fundraising Opportunities
Join us for Big Bites on Thursday, February 12th at the Top of the Tower in Worcester! Find inspiration, delicious food, meaningful connections, and the celebration of mentorship. The event will include small-plates from local restaurants, music, and lots of fun! More information can be found at www.BigsCM.org/celebration
Golf Fore Kids Tournament – Join us at our 10th Annual Golf Fore Kids Tournament on Monday, June 22, 2026 at the beautiful Charter Oak Country Club in Hudson. We are looking for sponsors and foursomes to participate in this event. Visit: www.BigsCM.org/golf
Rodman Ride for Kids – Saturday, April 16th in Foxborough, MA – This cycling event (25 or 50 miles) starts and ends in Foxborough. We are looking for riders and volunteers for this fun event! Join an existing BBBS team or create your own and start FUN-draising. Not a bike rider? That’s ok! You can sign up as a Virtual Participant. Visit: https://bigscm.org/rodman-ride-for-kids/
Check out our website for information on our Big Dill Pickleball Tournament, and Bowl for Kids.
Giving Opportunities
No donation is too little and all gifts make a big impact. Your support helps us deliver highly-supported, quality mentorship for children and young adults in our communities. Donations and sponsorships fund youth training programs and the professional staff needed to match Bigs and Littles, monitor relationships, and ensure safe, empowering connections between our children and mentors.
One time donation – You can donate through our online donation portal at BigsCM.org or send your donation by mail to BBBS of Central Mass and MetroWest, 18 Chestnut St., Ste. 340, Worcester, MA 01608. For information on support via ACH, required distribution or a donor-advised fund, please reach out to Lindsay.McCarthy@BigsCM.org. We welcome gifts honoring a special person in your life.
Monthly Giving – By committing a regular monthly contribution, you help provide sustainable income. If you’d like to deepen your investment in mentoring, please use our online donation portal, and select “monthly.”
Volunteer Opportunities
We serve children and young adults between the ages of 8-25. If your business or school is interested in signing up for our group programming or one-time volunteer opportunities, we’d love to connect with you!
When you volunteer as a Big, you meet with your Little a couple of times a month for a few hours. Matches enjoy normal, everyday activities like going to see a movie, playing games, going out to eat, or just hanging out! Older ‘Littles’ focus on career and college readiness, with dramatic results. BBBS-mentored kids are 10% more likely to go to college and earn 20% more than their peers, with their earnings more closely aligning with their mentor’s salary than their parents. In Worcester, we have a need for business professionals to speak at events with community college students.
All volunteer inquiries can be sent to programs@BigsCM.org.
Leadership
Connie Askin, CEO
Arin Whitman-Jemison, Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Board Chair
Helder Machado, Machado Consulting, Vice Chair
Andrew Cummings, M&T Bank, Treasurer
Ben Hinks, Secretary, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, Executive Committee
Lynette Paczkowski, Immediate Past Chair, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP, Executive Committee
Board Members
Michael Burke, Member, The Hanover Insurance Group
Jay Cook, Member, TJX Companies, Inc.
Kit Hughes, Member, College of the Holy Cross
Paul Matthews, Member, Worcester Research Bureau
Cynthia McMullen, Member, Ret., Worcester Public Schools
David Podell, MassBay Community College
Yvonne Spicer, Member, Former Mayor of the City of Framingham
Steve Taviner, Member, Development and DEI Consultant
Maureen Tillett, Member, Ret., Wayland Public Schools
Emily Trevallion, Member, The Hanover Insurance Group
Tom Vocatura, Jr., Member, Charles River Insurance
Connie Askin, ex-officio
