We are defenders of potential

Our Mission

Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

Our Vision

That all youth achieve their full potential

Changing Perspectives. Changing Lives.

Partnering to build a world where all children meet their potential

Established in 1975, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region is the region’s premier evidenced-based youth mentoring agency—we make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children  (“Littles”) in Westmoreland and Fayette counties. There are two program options available, Community-Based and School-Based, that are designed to help develop strong one-to-one relationships, and make a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young children

By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers, and others in the community we are
accountable for each child in our program achieving:

Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships

Avoidance of risky behaviors

Educational success

LEARN MORE

Recipient of the 2021 Gold Standard Award

Recipient of the 2023 Growth Award

in 2020 big brothers big sisters of the laurel region was named National "agency of the year"

Read the article in the Tribune Review here.

Want to learn more?

In touch WITH ERIC O'BRIEN podcast on bbbslr

LISTEN to podcast

OUR TEAM


Cinda Watkins

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Cinda Watkins, Executive Director – BBBS of the Laurel Region, is proud to announce Cinda as our new Executive Director. Cinda brings nearly three decades of dynamic social service management experience serving in roles at Adelphoi Village, PA Adult Protective Services, PA Link to Aging and Disability Services, Response Training Programs LLC, and Torrance State Hospital. Most recently, she served United Way of Southwestern PA, overseeing 211 services for 31 counties within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania while managing a $4.2M budget and staff of 50. She holds a BA in Psychology from Slippery Rock University. While at Slippery Rock she joined the Varsity Judo team, competing as a brown belt. She lives in Westmoreland County with her spouse, Don, and enjoys visits with her grown children, Madison and Nathan.

Cinda’s leadership centers on relationship-building, training, and development. She looks forward to sharing her passion for youth mentoring to positively impact our community, helping to ensure all children can reach their full potential.


Kathy McCormick

COMMUNITY-BASED
MENTORING COORDINATOR

From Little Sister, to intern, to staff member, Kathy’s personal experience with the program has given her a unique perspective on the benefits it provides. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Health from Seton Hill University, where she was awarded Behavioral Health Graduate of the Year. Kathy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as Mentoring Coordinator. Born and raised in Westmoreland County, Kathy has deep roots in the community where she now resides with her husband, Kevin McCormick, and their beloved Russian Tortoise, Karl.

Fun Fact: Kathy enjoys period dramas with a strong female lead and can do headstands.


Tammy Dolan

PROGRAM MANAGER



Tammy holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Westmoreland County Community College and has worked in the non-profit field for most of her career. She has years of experience in casework and a passion for learning and igniting potential. Tammy loves her yellow lab, Samson, and traveling. 

Fun Fact: Tammy cannot do headstands. 

Favorite childhood TV shows: MacGyver and The X-Files

britt headshot


Brittany Cooley

FAYETTE COUNTY COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND MENTORING COORDINATOR

Brittany was born and raised in Uniontown, the heart of Fayette County, where she graduated from Laurel Highlands Highschool. She has always had a passion for working with children and positively impacting their lives. As a former YMCA preschool teacher and community volunteer for Relay for Life, she wanted to unite her interests by working for a nonprofit. In 2021, Brittany was nationally recognized as a Top Performer of her volunteer work with the Relay for Life, in which she now sits as a chairperson.

Gabrielle Stewart

development and events Manager

Gabrielle started her career in events with a decade of experience at BNY Mellon, transitioning to non-profit life in 2016. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh in both Business Administration and French Language & Literature and enjoys expanding her education through Behavioral Economic coursework. As the chair of the New Business Committee for the Greensburg Business & Professional Association, Gabby works with local businesses to realize their full potential and opportunities in the growing community.
 
As a huge animal lover, Gabby fosters at-risk cats and kittens until they are healthy enough to be adopted to forever families. She has saved the lives of over 300 animals through her foster work in the past decade. You can also find her managing inventory at The Thrifty Kitty Catique, a thrift shop where proceeds benefit the felines in the rescue. She is pro-Oxford Comma and continues to try to teach the benefits of the bypass tray to her coworkers.

 


Brittany Sines

SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING COORDINATOR

After receiving her dual certification in Elementary and Special Education at Point Park University, Brittany was in the field of education for almost a decade, bringing equitable education to historically disenfranchised communities in the Pittsburgh area as an elementary school teacher.
Recognizing a need for emotional intelligence curricula, Brittany designed and adapted lessons that evaluate the impact of individual choices, collective discussion, and diverse perspectives to be used school-wide.
She then used these skills, along with a Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell University, to build belonging within communities as Welcoming Westmoreland Project Coordinator by creating and implementing trainings around unconscious bias and anti-oppression.
All of these experiences, along with her experience as a Big,  culminate to her success at BBBS and her impact here as the School-Based Mentoring Coordinator.
 
Fun fact – She is learning sign language


Tyler Swenson

RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST

Tyler graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Economics, along with certificates in Television & Broadcasting and Sports Studies. He’s also had a lifelong love for music, playing the tuba for 10 years and staying involved by volunteering to support music programs. Tyler is also a huge sports fan, and is all about Pitt sports, but he’s also passionate about football in general, including European football. 

Fun fact: Tyler is a huge dog lover!


Jasmine Goodman

COORDINATOR

Jasmine is originally from a small town in Northeastern PA and was a 2011 Seton Hill University graduate. Since then, she has worked in a variety of human services fields including another BBBS agency, childcare, drug and alcohol services, and has now
returned to her passion for helping children realize their full potential. Her favorite role is being an auntie to her three nephews and two nieces. Jasmine is a cat mom to a sassy, gray tuxedo cat named Mister Beau Jangles. She is an enneagram one, minimalist, tree-hugger, and joy-finder. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, podcasts,
photography, and is almost always watching Gilmore Girls. She is a NASCAR and Denny Hamlin fan.  A 90’s girl to her core, Jasmine’s favorite band is and always will be the Backstreet Boys. She has seen them in concert at least 6 times.

Fun fact: Jasmine makes her own yogurt and vanilla extract.


Lauren Gill

IMPACT COORDINATOR

Lauren grew up in North Huntingdon with her four younger siblings but currently resides in Youngwood with her two roommates.  She was a previous intern at Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Laurel Region and currently holds her degree in Early Childhood & Special Education. She graduated from Seton Hill University with highest honors and is currently a Big Sister through the program. Lauren is currently working on her master’s degree as a reading specialist at Robert Morris and when she is not working on school you can find her either working at the YMCA or substitute teaching.  In her free time Lauren enjoys reading books, exploring new cities, and writing poetry.

Fun Fact: Lauren’s favorite animal is the axolotl


KK Slider

Chief Cuddle Officer

 Named after the canine crooner from Animal Crossing, KK provides lots of snuggles and kisses to help the staff through stressful situations. While he doesn’t show up for work everyday and spends most days napping, he has been rated Employee of the Month every month.

Teddy Spaghetti

Chairman of Research & Development

 Teddy Spaghetti, aka the Poodle Noodle, had a rough start in life, but is now thriving as a member of the team. You can find him researching important aspects of office life, such as tasting the various walls and engaging in his ongoing investigation of “Where Did That Tail Come From and Where Did it Go?”


Iggy Pup

President of Cuddles Research

Iggy Pup was adopted from All But Furgotten, a humane rescue in Irwin, PA. Now that he is in a loving home, he is learning how to trust humans. Shout out to the Green Beacon Gallery, Hempfield dog park, and Tastyland for providing spaces at which the pup can practice socializing. 


Samson

Director of Cuddles

Samson stops in the office from time-to-time to check on the rest of the team and ensure they are at their best. Samson is known for his iconic wiggles when he see any team member, a sign they are doing a good job!


Mister Beau Jangles

Cuddles Coordinator

Mister Beau Jangles is a 9 year-old gray tuxedo cat. He cannot fully meow, but instead makes a meowing / chirping combo sound. He loves cuddles but decides when they happen. He loves chasing bugs, leaves, or dust particles. He also frequently chases his own tail and gets mad at himself. Mister loves sitting at the window to monitor neighborhood activities and animals. 


Karl

Patrol Officer

Karl is a nine-year-old Russian Tortoise, but she’s not from Russia. She’s originally from North Huntingdon. Karl does most of her work remotely as she has a strong dislike for cooler temperatures and the bypass tray. Karl enjoys sunning herself, aggressively attacking clovers in the yard and room-temperature baths. She dislikes people sneaking up on her and when her mom messes with her paws. 

 

board of directors

PRESIDENT & Big Brother

FRED HAAS,
MERRILL LYNCH

VICE PRESIDENT & Big sister

MICKEY LAW,
Retired Accredo Health Group

Big sister

Mary Beth Atwood,
retired teacher

Secretary

DOUG ESTOK,
FIRSTENERGY

Treasurer

JOseph PETRILLO,
CPA & PARTNER, deluzio & company, llp

Big Sister

CHUCK SHOFF
SHOFF CONSTRUCTION

big SISTER

Ashley Howes,
membership & digital media specialist, Fayette Chamber of COmmerce

2x Former Big Brother

John Yetsconish Jr.,
President - AGI Repair

big SISTER

roseann orr

retired pediatric Nurse practitioner

dr. walinda nicholson,
director of pupil services/special education,
brownsville school district


Todd t. turin, esq,
solicitor , turin & dematt, p.c.


bbbslr and The BBBSA National Office is committed to, believes in, and affirms justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) for our staff, board, volunteers, youth, and families we serve.