Journal

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester is a youth mentoring organization. Our vision is that all children achieve their full potential in school and in life. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. We operate under a Big/Little model, matching adult volunteers (our “Bigs”) with children ages 7 – 17 (our “Littles”). These meaningful long-term relationships have been proven to positively change our Littles’ lives.

$114,730

of our $150,000 goal

44%

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Honoring

our Big and Little Brother of the Year

We are delighted to honor Big Brother, Edgar Catalogne, and his Little Brother, Darian Giriat-LaBorde as the Match of the Year! Edgar and Darian met four years ago, when Darian was 15 years old and in desperate need of a positive male role model. Over the years, this Big and Little bonded while on hiking trails, watching movies, practicing magic, whipping up new recipes and hunting for a college! Darian is now a Dean’s List student at the College of Westchester, where he is on track to graduate early with a degree in Computer Network Administration. Prior to Darian’s first semester, Edgar and Darian spent a day taking all possible bus routes together, to ensure that Darian was off to a confident start at college. Edgar continues to go above and beyond for his Little Brother every day, and we are thrilled to recognize their match relationship this year.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

David Richman

David Richman is the President & CEO of Rakow Commercial Realty Group, and he is an active and engaged member of our Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester Advisory Council. As President and CEO of Rakow, he oversees the day to day operations of the group, and also acts as the principal commercial real estate broker for the firm. David has over 18 years of experience in negotiating commercial property sales and leases including lease renewals, renegotiations and relocations. David has also served on the Board of Directors of Kids X-Press and the Advisory Board of the Lighthouse Guild. He is Co-President of the Executive Forum Business Group and is an active member the Westchester County Association.

David lives with his wife Melissa of 14 years and his 3 incredible children JT, Robbie and Scarlett.

Entertainment

Matthew Furman

Do you like Mind Blowing Magic and Mind Reading? Matthew Furman has been performing at the most prestigious events in the world for over 20 years. His exceptional talent and warm personality leave you with a sense of amazement, excitement, and wonder.

Advisory Council Members

Chair Ebonette Bates Hudson
Vice Chair Brian Sheerin
Secretary Sherry Toplyn
Executive Director Valerie Brown

Members

Deborah Boillot
Gregg Cartagine
Joseph Cole
Bonnie de Wied
Robert Garber
Jane Goldman
Brian Hesse

Sadia Huq
Sydney Kindler
Lucy Kourides
Debbie Linder
Junaid Lughmani
Jackie Meisenberg
Karen Pascoe

David Richman
John Rios
Gary Seckendorf
Tim Theotokatos
Barbara Weir
Jude Westerfield
Nick Wolff

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Tracey and Mark Bilski

Sydney and Robert Kindler

Jackie and Rich Meisenberg

Silver Sponsor

Deborah and David Boillot

Bronze Sponsors

The Bobroy Family

Gregg Cartagine and Reed Chaikin

Lisa and Bill Fallon

Blake and Andrew Foote

Mitzi and Ron Lumbra