Elizabeth Morris, President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Blue Ridge, shares how the organization contributes to the community and how she became involved.
Tell me about Big Brothers, Big Sisters and its mission, vision, and values:
The mission of Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge (BBBS) is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. With a vision for all youth to achieve their full potential, BBBS embraces the values of Access, Belonging, and Opportunity by providing access to positive mentorship for every young person who needs us; creating a community that fosters connection and belonging; and empowering young people to learn, lead, and grow.
We believe that when every young person has access to a positive mentor, it transforms their lives for the better, empowering them with a stronger sense of belonging and the opportunity and belief that they can achieve their full potential.
At what point did community service, giving back, or nonprofit leadership become part of your life? Was that intentional from the start, or did it evolve over time?
I would say it evolved over time. When our son was young, my husband and I became involved in his school, his sports, and pretty much any activity he was involved in. Whether volunteering in the classroom, coaching YMCA basketball, or organizing Little League and soccer teams, we saw firsthand the importance of making opportunities accessible to every child.
We often helped transport kids to practices and games, ensuring that no child missed out because of logistics or resources. Being a part of a community means helping wherever needed.
Later, when our son went off to college, I began to feel a need to push myself to do more. My career had taken off, and I had become partner in our firm, but I wanted to give back in a more intentional way. My first board experience was with the local SPCA. We have adopted 4 dogs from shelters, and I felt I could help fill a void there. Later, I was introduced to Big Brothers Big Sisters by a friend. Within a few short months, I felt so connected to the mission, and I knew that I was involved with an organization where I could really help to create positive change in children’s lives.
What have been some of the biggest successes or milestones during your tenure?
Wow! Success includes overcoming unexpected challenges and learning from those challenges. The single most demanding period in my time with BBBS was the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all children in our area, our Littles were facing isolation and school disruption. Many of the families in our program were facing food insecurity as they normally relied on meals from school for sustenance. While schools were closed, we partnered with the Chris Long Foundation to bring meals to our families twice a week.
This gave us an opportunity to not only be certain that they had food but to physically see how they were enduring the shutdown. We were concerned about our Littles falling behind in school purely from not having access to computers and books. Eventually, the weather warmed up and we started getting creative. Our Bigs adapted quickly, meeting outdoors or virtually, finding creative ways to maintain relationships and help our Littles adjust to the new normal. It was an incredibly difficult time, but it brought out the very best in our community. I couldn’t be prouder of how our staff, volunteers, and families came together to support one another.
Can you share a story or example of a mentoring match in Charlottesville or Albemarle, or a moment when the organization’s work really proved its value?
Big Brother Marc Paulo and Little Brother Jayson are an excellent example of how a Match (mentor/mentee pairing) can grow together over a decade of friendship and mentoring, and one that I’ve personally witnessed through my work with the Board.
When they first met, Jayson was six years old, a shy elementary schooler just discovering his interests. Now 17 and a high school junior, he’s a talented violinist, a member of his school’s marching band, and an avid mountain biker.
Over more than a decade, both Marc Paulo and Jayson have evolved and grown into exceptional young men. Marc Paulo has advanced in his career and deepened his commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters by joining our Board of Directors, where he contributes a great deal to our mission. Their story is a meaningful reminder of how mentoring relationships are journeys that transform the lives of both the mentor and mentee. From visiting a pumpkin patch on their very first outing to recently going to see Jayson’s favorite band for his first concert, their relationship continues to be a wonderful adventure.
How is the organization working to scale, deepen, or expand its reach?
Big Brothers Big Sisters is focused on deepening our impact for our existing Matches and expanding our reach across our service area of Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, and Nelson. We are growing strategically by building partnerships throughout the community. We work with local schools and other youth-serving organizations to identify potential Littles, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited. To recruit Bigs as diverse as the youth we serve, we coordinate efforts with Madison House at UVA, have a presence at events, and rely on word-of-mouth. We continue to strengthen our organizational capacity to ensure every Match receives high-quality, consistent support, and we have the staff necessary to meet the growing demand for one-to-one mentoring relationships. Our goal is not just to create more Matches, but to ensure that each one is meaningful and well-supported for the duration.
Looking ahead 5–10 years, how would you like to see Big Brothers Big Sisters evolve locally? What legacy do you hope to leave?
Our vision is to reduce the number of Littles waiting for a mentor by growing our staff and capacity over the next couple of years. We plan to add a Development Associate to support our fundraising efforts and ensure long-term financial sustainability. We will continue increasing our program staff capacity in alignment with our organization's growth.
We are already planning boldly for the future by expanding our financial literacy programs, deepening partnerships with schools and community organizations, and continuing to build a strong, diverse Board that reflects the families we serve. At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to make a difference in our community, one Little at a time.
What advice would you give to other professionals who want to deepen their civic or nonprofit engagement (but feel constrained by time, resources, or obligations)?
Find an organization whose mission aligns with your values and see what you can do to help improve or support that organization. With the advent of Zoom, we are finding much better engagement as we eliminate travel time to and from a meeting. For most organizations, even the smallest amount of time and effort is greatly appreciated.
To get involved or to learn more, including the incredible impact that mentorship can make in young lives, visit BlueRidgeBigs.org.
We believe that when every young person has access to a positive mentor, it transforms their lives for the better, empowering them with a stronger sense of belonging and the opportunity and belief that they can achieve their full potential.
Our goal is not just to create more Matches, but to ensure that each one is meaningful and well-supported for the duration.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to make a difference in our community, one Little at a time.