Big Brothers Big Sisters opens Elyria headquarters

ELYRIA — After more than 30 years on North Ridge Road, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County finally has a new official home. President and CEO Holly Brinda said that the nonprofit has been operating mostly out of its new home at 1270 Abbe Road N. since January. But, on Monday the youth mentoring organization held an open house and ribbon-cutting to formally introduce community partners, program participants and local officials to its new headquarters. "We kind of outgrew that space and we have been wanting to take on an even bigger role in the community," Brinda told those gathered on Monday. "We were very excited to see this space available across from Lorain County Community College, which is a strategic partner for us and a lot of our programming." Brinda, a former mayor of Elyria, cut a ceremonial banner along with Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker on Monday, officially opening the building to the community. A news release from Big Brothers Big Sisters said that the 6,600-square-foot facility was not only newer and larger than its predecessor — in which the 31-year-old organization spent more than 30 years — but also more functional, accessible and closer to both LCCC and other potential mentors and youth services. Brinda said in addition to that proximity, the new headquarters is also more centrally located in the county generally. The old facility was a rented space at 1917 North Ridge Road in Lorain. "This new facility represents a pivotal step in our commitment to empowering the youth of Lorain County," said Ken Belton, Big Brothers Big Sisters board chairman in the release. "It's not just a building — it's a place where life-changing connections and opportunities will thrive, enabling us to better serve our children, families and mentors for years to come." Recently, more than 400 young people per year have received Big Brothers Big Sisters services, and the release said the nonprofit is looking to expand its mentoring program to also include additional tutoring, career and college readiness, social and emotional learning, summer camps, a "parent university" and more family engagement. "The move is transformational for (the agency), the children and youth we serve and the caring adults who step up to help kids reach their full potential," Brinda said in the release. The new building, a former dentist's office, features a dedicated classroom and a computer lab for tutoring and "academic enrichment." The walls of the facility's new lobby are decorated with original artwork made together by mentors and mentees in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, bringing the space to life with the fruits of the program itself. Several of the Big and Little pairs who had worked on paintings together were at the ribbon-cutting on Monday, and some spoke about what the program and the painting meant to them. The theme of the paintings was "What mentoring means to me." The paintings were made in partnership with the Elyria Arts Council, which provided the space, most of the materials and guidance. "I really saw how important it was there are Bigs and Littles, and I feel like it would be awesome if every kid had a Big," arts council program director Anne Jesse said. "... It was really fun working with them and hearing the things they do together and how happy the Little is when they know they are going to get together with their Big to do something." Two other pairs, Big Cheryl Burkhardt and Little Ella, 16, (who asked to only be referred to by first name) and Big Nora Mauk and Little Zehalo Soto, 9, each created paintings that showed scenes from different activities they had done together. Mauk and Zehalo enjoy baking together and walking Mauk's dog while Burkhardt and Ella depicted painting and their trip to a supposedly haunted building in Lorain. Brinda asked Big DeNita Tuttle to speak about spending time with her Little, 8-year-old Makayah Norris, and working on the painting together. "I get way more out of it (the program) than she does," Tuttle said. "It is just a fun thing where she can be herself and she can talk. A lot of times, you know, that is hard to have; somebody that — no judging, no nothing — they are just talking to you. It is really important." Brinda said that she learned of the building which would become Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters because her dentist, Dr. Paul Vecchio, works directly next door and happened to own 1270 Abbe Road N. "We were able to negotiate something that made it possible for us to locate here, this is not an easy thing for a nonprofit to do, but Dr. Vecchio was very gracious," Brinda said. "Honestly, (he) made a six-figure plus donation to the organization." Vecchio also sold the property to Big Brothers Big Sisters under a land contract agreement, meaning he sold it directly to the organization rather than through a traditional mortgage. This agreement allows the organization to operate in the building — while Vecchio retains legal ownership — and pay off the sale over time. It also creates space for the organization to pay off the purchase sooner through a future capital campaign fundraising project. "I believe in the incredible work that Big Brothers Big Sisters does to inspire and guide the next generation," Vecchio said in the release. "It's an honor to contribute to their mission and ensure they have a space to continue to make a meaningful impact." Brinda said the relocation is a critical step in the organization's plan, outlined by the board in 2023, to increase its impact in the community and ensure every child who goes through the program graduates high school with a plan for their future. "This is a tall order, and I am so very proud of our Board and staff for taking on this very ambitious goal at a time when we know our children are still struggling with academically, socially and emotionally from the fallout of the pandemic and other factors," Brinda said in the release. "BBBSLC is rising to the occasion, and I implore other caring adults in our community to also rise to the occasion and help us provide desperately needed mentors and a permanent, safe and dynamic place to call home for those we serve." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.