History and Mission
Founded in 1963, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona has served the Tucson community for over 60 years. The organization began when local pediatricians and healthcare professionals recognized the value of matching children with supportive adult mentors. What started as a small local effort has grown into Southern Arizona’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported youth mentoring network.
BBBS of Southern Arizona matches adult volunteers (“Bigs”) with young people (“Littles”) in professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships. These matches are carefully coordinated by trained staff who conduct interviews and background checks to ensure the safety and success of every match. While the program originally focused on children ages 6 to 18, it now extends into young adulthood to support long-term growth and development.
The organization’s mission is to “create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth,” and its vision is for “all youth [to] achieve their full potential.” To achieve this, BBBS of SoAz focuses on producing measurable outcomessuch as improved confidence, better relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and academic success.
As part of the broader national Big Brothers Big Sisters movement, BBBS of Southern Arizona continues to adapt to meet the changing needs of local families, helping children build the resilience and skills they need to succeed in life.
Learn more at soazbigs.org.
Impact Statistics and Success Stories
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of youth through its mentoring programs. In 2022, approximately 400 young people were actively enrolled in community-based and site-based mentorships. These programs are designed not just to support children in the moment, but to help them build confidence, make healthier choices, and reach their full potential.
Survey data highlights this impact clearly: 90% of Littles say their Big is a very important adult in their life, and 93% report actively saying no to drugs, violence, and skipping school. These numbers reflect the program’s broader goalssupporting higher aspirations, better relationships, and positive behavior changes among the youth it serves.
Beyond the numbers, personal stories reveal the deep bonds formed through mentorship. One Little Sister, TiAra, shared, “No matter how old or young you are… you should be able to have somebody to go to and talk to. When I need somebody to talk to, my Big Sister is right by my side.” For many adult volunteers, the experience is just as meaningful. Big Brother Pablo reflected, “Our first outing feels like it was just yesterday… Karston (my Little) is like a brother and part of my family.”
Programs like Mentor 2.0, which focuses on high school students, provide additional support in areas like academic motivation and career readiness. One student participant said, “I always have someone with me that I can talk to and rely on when it comes to school and my personal life. [My Big] has helped me really dig deep into what I want to do and given me the opportunity to experience some careers to see if I really want to do it.”
Even with these successes, the need for mentors remains high. As of early 2025, around 200 local youth were still waiting to be matched with a mentormost of them boys in need of positive male role models. BBBS of SoAz actively recruits volunteers of all backgrounds, including Big Couples and even high school Bigs, to meet this growing demand.
Through consistent mentoring, young people not only stay out of trouble but also gain lifelong tools for success. From improved grades to better social skills, the benefits of these relationships endure well beyond the program itself.
Learn more or get involved at azgives.org.
Organizational Leadership and Structure
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona is led by a committed team of professionals and community leaders who guide the organization’s mission and strategic direction. At the helm is Chief Executive Officer Marie Logan, who has served in the role for over a decade. Under her leadership, the agency has expanded its impact across Southern Arizona while preserving its core focus on high-quality, one-to-one mentoring relationships.
The organization’s daily operations are managed by a dedicated staff team, including roles such as the Director of Marketing & Corporate Engagement, currently held by Veronica Saiz. Additional directors and support specialists oversee programming, partnerships, and volunteer coordination. A key feature of the BBBS model is its use of match support specialistsprofessionals who provide guidance, regular check-ins, and resources to ensure the safety and success of every mentoring match.
Governance and strategic oversight come from a volunteer Board of Directors composed of local leaders from diverse sectors. The board is chaired by Rebecca Crane and includes officers such as Vice Chair Daniela Gallagher. CEO Marie Logan also serves on the board’s Executive Committee, ensuring strong alignment between the staff and governing body. In addition to the primary board, the organization is supported by both an Advisory Board and an Advocacy Board. These groups include past leaders and community volunteerssuch as former Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWallwho help promote awareness, provide expertise, and contribute to fundraising efforts.
This multi-tiered leadership structure allows BBBS of SoAz to remain mission-driven while staying flexible and responsive to evolving community needs. Under Logan’s tenure, the organization has launched major initiatives, including the innovative Mentor 2.0 program, which serves high school students through a blend of in-person mentoring and digital engagement. Other recent priorities have included increasing male volunteer recruitment, forming deeper partnerships with local schools, and successfully relocating the organization’s headquarters through a community-backed capital campaign.
To learn more about the leadership and initiatives of BBBS of Southern Arizona, visit soazbigs.org.
Recent News and Developments (2023–2025)
Over the past two years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona has experienced significant growth and momentum. One of the organization’s most impactful achievements was the acquisition of a new headquarters and youth mentoring center in 2023. Located at 2552 N. Alvernon Way, the newly renovated campus features a 5,700-square-foot Mentoring Activity Center, designed to provide a safe, welcoming space for Bigs and Littles to connect, study, play, and grow together.
This strategic relocation marked a turning point in BBBS’s ability to expand its reach and programming. The new center allows the organization to host match activities on-site, offer enrichment opportunities for children awaiting mentors, and provide more resources for families. CEO Marie Logan described it as “a bold path to a big future,” emphasizing that the facility is a long-term investment in the youth of Southern Arizona.
To support this expansion, BBBS of SoAz launched a $3.9 million capital campaign, which drew strong support from local foundations, national partners, and community donors. Notable contributors included the Connie Hillman Family Foundation, the Bert W. Martin Foundation, and every member of the organization’s Board of Directors, who all participated in the campaign.
In tandem with infrastructure growth, BBBS celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023 with the “Big Diamond Jubilee” Gala at Loews Ventana Canyon Resorta sold-out fundraiser that honored six decades of mentorship and raised critical funds for the future. In 2024, the tradition continued with the themed “Big Yacht Rock Gala,” reinforcing the organization’s reputation for high-impact events that rally community support.
BBBS has also expanded its programming to better serve youth across the region. The introduction of Mentor 2.0focused on high school studentsblends in-person mentoring with digital communication and a structured curriculum for career and college readiness. In rural areas like Safford, new “High School Bigs” programs train junior and senior students to mentor elementary-aged children, creating near-peer relationships and building leadership skills.
In addition to traditional fundraising, BBBS operates clothing donation drives, selling donated items through local partners to support its services. These drives engage the broader public and offer accessible ways for individuals to contribute to the organization’s mission.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, BBBS of Southern Arizona has remained active in local schools, cycling events, and public media, continually raising awareness about the need for volunteer mentorsespecially male Bigs, given the long waitlist of boys seeking guidance. The organization’s visibility and consistent impact have positioned it for continued success in the years ahead.
To learn more about these developments, visit soazbigs.org.