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
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"
Want to learn more?
Or check out this article from GOAL Magazine!
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-
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
Gabrielle Stewart
development and events Manager
Brittany Sines
SCHOOL-BASED
MENTORING COORDINATOR
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.
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.
Jasmine Goodman
COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING COORDINATOR & LEAD EMBEDDED SCHOOL-BASED MENTOR
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.
Sienna Douglas
RECRUITMENT AND MARKETING COORDINATOR
Sienna was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky and is a part of Class of 2020 from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in media arts and studies. She moved to Greensburg in May of 2022 to pursue a career in social media marketing. As a content creator, she has her own Instagram and YouTube channel focusing on her favorite interests such as video games, traveling, and unboxing videos. She was also a part of creating her university’s gaming community from the ground up before her departure. Her work has been recognized by well-known video companies and leaders in the industry across the globe. With her knowledge, experience, and passion for working with social media and also being a child at heart herself, she hopes to use her skills in helping BBBSLR and helping Bigs and Littles match in the Westmoreland and Fayette counties. Be sure to stop and say hello if you see her at a local event!
Fun Fact: Sienna is a mom of three pet turtles! An Eastern Box Turtle named Mr. T and Manni and Nikko, two Northern Map Turtles. Her favorite games are Pokémon and Kingdom Hearts!
Natalie Glunt
MENTORING COORDINATOR
Natalie was born and raised in Westmoreland County. While attending Norwin High School, Natalie was an Officer in the Interact Club. At a young age she learned the importance of service and giving back through local organizations.
Throughout her adult life she has enjoyed volunteering her time towards community service and helping others. She has volunteered at personal care facilities, bell ringing for the Salvation Army during the holiday season and countless food can donations.
In 2009, Natalie graduated with a BA in Art where she grew her passion for painting. She graduated with her Masters in Art Education in 2014. She earned both of her degrees at California University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with honors.
She has a passion for creating artwork for others. Her favorite medium is acrylic paints. She strongly believes that art is powerful. Art has the ability to help us express ourselves, create, and use our imagination.
Natalie loves spending time with her family. She enjoys hiking, group exercise, biking, traveling, running and coaching soccer. She is an animal lover. She has two cats, one dog, a bird, various fish, hermit crabs and a pet crayfish.
Natalie is excited to be a part of the BBBSLR team. She is thrilled to further continue her journey of service and help guide today’s youth.
Favorite Childhood movies: Disney’s Snow White and Cinderella.
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.
Mr. T
Color Coordinator
Mr. T is an eighteen year old, adventurous, Eastern Box Turtle from Kentucky who has the behavior of a cute and cuddly puppy. He loves spending his days following his mom and dad around the house, while biting things that are the color blue. Earth worms and strawberries are his favorite snacks. His dislikes? Waiting for his parent to get home from work. He was recently featured as a drawing during one of the panels for Big Brothers Big Sisters: The Power of We that was used to create the BBBS logo!
Manni & Nikko
Pellet & Basking Enthusiasts
Manni and Nikko are Northern Map Turtle brothers from the same pond and proud Kentuckians like their mom. They enjoy eating pellets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with basking under their warm lamp all day and everyday. They also love spending their day waiting for their mom to turn on their lamp when she gets home from work. They dislike loud noises, their Big Brother, Mr. T, and most of the time each other.
board of directors
PRESIDENT & 2x Former Big Brother
John Yetsconish,
AGI Repair
VICE PRESIDENT & Big sister
aSHLEY hOWES,
Fayette Chamber of COmmerce
Big sister
Mary Beth Atwood,
retired teacher
Secretary
DOUG ESTOK,
FIRSTENERGY
Treasurer
JOseph PETRILLO,
deluzio & company, llp
CHUCK SHOFF,
SHOFF CONSTRUCTION
FrED HAAS,
MerRill Lynch
Big Sister
Mickey Law,
retired accredo Health group
big SISTER
roseann orr,
retired pediatric Nurse practitioner
Todd t. turin, esq,
turin, dEmATT & CAVANAUGH p.c.
turin, dEmATT & CAVANAUGH p.c.
Jennifer deichert
4-H Educator, Health rocks specialist Penn State Extension
4-H Educator, Health rocks specialist Penn State Extension