The VISION of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and strong communities for all.
The MISSION of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported mentoring relationships. |
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Robert F. Moss
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| Founder & C.E.O. |
As a student at the University at Buffalo, Bob founded the agency in 1971 and is the present CEO. He is an active member of BBBS Association of NYS, a coalition of BBBS programs throughout NY. In addition, he recently served on the National Leadership Council of BBBS.
In 1978, Bob received his Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from Canisius College and in 2003, retired from the Buffalo Public Schools after a 32-year career as a teacher of mathematics, counselor and administrator on the High School level.
While he has received numerous local awards from such groups as the United Way, The JCPenney Golden Rule Award, Buffalo Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the National Conference for Community and Justice, he has also been recognized on a national level through receipt of the prestigious Jefferson Award given by the American Institute for Public Service.
He is married to his wife of 24+ years and has two adult children.
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rmoss@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Will Murphy
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| Director of Programs and Operations |
Will began his career with Be-A-Friend in October 2008 as a mentor and advocate to agency youth. Currently, Will serves as Project Director on the Mentoring Children of Prisoners initiative. His experience includes 4 years working with youth as an advocate with an intensive family support program and with BBBS. He received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Plattsburgh and became an Eagle Scout at an early age. Will has enjoyed his previous experiences working with youth and is motivated to share his positive attitude and developed skills in a different role as our Director of Programs and Operations.
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wmurphy@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Camille Sinatra
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| Bookkeeper |
| Camille began her career with BBBS in February of 1989. There is no use going beyond that! This has been her life away from home for 19 years. She is the mother of three grown children. |
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csinatra@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Craig Thornton
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| Program Aide |
Craig joined our staff in July of 2009 as a part time Program Aide. Craig has completed his associates in Business Administration and he is currently attending the University of Buffalo as a Clinical Psychology major. When he is not working or taking classes, Craig enjoys playing both guitar and piano and he is in a local band.
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cthornton@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Alicia Bartsch
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| Director of Community Relations |
Alicia began her career at BBBS in 1995 as a Volunteer Enrollment Coordinator and currently, serves as the Director of Community Relations. As a member of the speaker’s bureau for the United Way, Alicia is the recipient of several awards of recognition. She is an active member of Volunteer Administrators of WNY (VAWNY). Alicia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.
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abartsch@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Sean DePue
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| Volunteer Recruitment Specialist |
Sean joined the Community Relations Department of BBBS in August of 2009. He plays a major role in our college volunteer recruitment campaign along with additional marketing projects. He graduated in 2006 with a BA from the University of Pittsburg. While attending college, Sean was a full-time collegiate athlete in both basketball and baseball. Since graduating, he has developed programs to help caregivers dealing with chronic and progressive illness at the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation in Miami, Florida. Sean is a native of the Buffalo area and enjoys spending his free time with his family and going to concerts and sporting events.
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sdepue@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Nicole Labby
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| Volunteer Recruitment Specialist |
Nicole came on board our Community Relations team as a Volunteer Recruitment Specialist in June of 2010. She is responsible for recruiting individuals from the community to provide positive mentoring to at-risk youth and coordinates the agency's volunteer inquiries. Nicole has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Loyola University. She has experience with youth in the Buffalo Community, has worked in Customer Service positions and has volunteered and interned with local non-profit organizations. Nicole is very excited to be playing a positive role linking volunteer candidates with youth in the Buffalo area.
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nlabby@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Emily Lantzy
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| Director of Client Services |
Emily joined our staff in January 2009 and brings with her a BA in Sociology and Political Science from SUNY New Paltz College. After spending more than a year with us as a Case Manager, she was promoted to the Director of Client Services position. She has worked with youth and families as a Case Manager with Be-A-Friend, through AIDS Community Services of WNY and the Town of Hamburg Recreation Department. Emily works with enthusiasm and eagerness to bring children and volunteers together through mentoring.
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elantzy@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Mai-Leen Colón
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| Case Manager |
Mai-Leen joined our staff in May of 2009 as a Case Manager working directly with our 1-1 mentoring relationships and group clients. She brings with her a BA Sociology and Anthropology and also attended SUNY Albany for her Masters degree in Latin American, Caribbean and U.S. Latino Studies. Mai-Leen has worked with at-risk youth and families with the NY City Department of Justice and as a Child Care Specialist in a male residential setting as well as a Family Development Specialist working with pregnant and parenting teens. She is from the Buffalo area, loves to travel, be active and help build the community.
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mcolon@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Katie Head
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| Case Manager |
Katie joined our Case Management team in July of 2009 and is working with our 1-1 Community Based Mentoring relationships. She completed a B.S. degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College and has experience with youth and families through an internship with the Child Protective Services unit of the Genesee County Department of Social Services. When she is not working, Katie enjoys singing, acting, dancing, horseback riding and helping youth through vocal instruction. Katie is from the Buffalo area and is excited to begin her career helping local youth.
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khead@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Tamara Helfer
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| Case Manager |
Tamara joined BBBS in September of 2007. In May of the same year, she graduated from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Psychology. During her final year at UB, Tamara completed an internship working with children with behavioral problems. She is currently enrolled in the MSW program at the University at Buffalo.
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thelfer@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Sheila McCrea
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| Case Manager |
Sheila began at BBBS in September 2007. She received her degree from SUNY Geneseo majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development. Sheila has volunteered as a bereavement counselor over the past 4 years and as a basketball coach for 5th and 6th grade students.
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smccrea@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Whitney Hyman
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| Case Manager |
Whitney joined our Client Services team in November 2009 as a Case Manager. She will be working closely with youth, volunteers and families involved in mentoring relationships in our Community Based Mentoring Program. She is a 2009 Graduate of SUNY Fredonia with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Along with her degree, Whitney brings with her a variety of experiences working with at-risk youth and families.
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whyman@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Danielle Miano
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| Case Manager |
Danielle joined BBBS as a Case Manager in May 2010 after completing a 9 month internship with the Client Services Department. She has experience working with our Case Managers and Site Coordinators in both Community and Site Based youth programs. She is a Bachelor’s graduate of the Social Work program at Buffalo State College. As a former Big Sister with our agency, she understands the important role mentors have on the youth in our community. She has a passion for working with children and for making a difference in their lives. Danielle also loves traveling and learning about different cultures.
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dmiano@beafriend.org | (716) 844-2029 |
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LaGuan Rodgers
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| Mentor Advocate |
LaGuan is working directly with agency youth as a Mentor Advocate and has experience with local youth through BBBS as a Group Mentor and with Teen Youth Groups as a mentor and leader as well as through Community Outreach Programs. Additionally he has been mentoring as a Big Brother since 2006 with Be-A-Friend. Along with a B.A. in Communications, he received an “All-College Honors” award and a “Dean’s Award for Excellence in Communication”, from Buffalo State College in 2008. LaGuan has many interests including sports, running and music and is committed to being a positive influence on youth.
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lrodgers@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Thomas Kirst
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| Case Manager |
As our most tenured Case Manager, Tom has been with BBBS since 2002. He graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 2001 with a BA in Sociology. Currently, Tom is enrolled in the part-time MSW Program at UB. Following his graduation from Fredonia, Tom worked with developmentally disabled adults at both People, Inc. and Autistic Services.
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tkirst@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Kelly Giallella
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| Site Coordinator |
Kelly has been with BBBS since December 2007. She attended the University of Buffalo and graduated in 2005 with a BA in Psychology. As an AmeriCorps Volunteer, she served at the Enterprise Charter School in Buffalo as a Teacher's Aide/Classroom Tutor.
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kgiallella@beafriend.org | (716) 844-2029 |
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Renee Gracie
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| Senior Volunteer Enrollment Coordinator |
| Renee began working at BBBS in July of 1994. She received her BA in Social Work from Buffalo State College. Most of her career has been with BBBS, focusing on youth & staff development. In addition, she has experience working with developmentally challenged youth and adults. Renee is the mother of two young children. |
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rgracie@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Lisa Kurt
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| Volunteer Enrollment Coordinator |
Lisa started working at BBBS in September 2007. In May of 2007, she graduated from Canisius College and received a B.A. in English. She also holds a certificate in Women’s Studies and a minor in Sociology. Lisa really enjoys working with high school and college students, meeting young people who truly want to make a difference in children’s lives.
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lkurt@beafriend.org | (716) 873-5833 |
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Thomas Guagliardo
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| Director of Development |
Tom leads our Development Department and has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County since August of 2009. Along with a BA from Buffalo State College, he brings with him several years of fundraising experience with local organizations. Tom is a Certified Fundraising Executive and is affiliated with the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Tom has lived in the Buffalo area for many years and he looks forward to making a Big difference for the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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tguagliardo@beafriend.org | (716) 844-2029 |
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Maureen Kelly
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| Development Coordinator |
Maureen has been a part of the BBBS Development team since June 2006. Prior to joining BBBS, Maureen spent six years as an event planner in the New York City area. She has a BS degree in Business Administration from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
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mkelly@beafriend.org | (716) 844-2029 |
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