The Rotary Club of Norfolk was delighted to welcome Ellie Martinez, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), as our recent guest speaker. BBBS is the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported one-to-one mentoring organization, with a mission rooted in a simple but powerful idea: caring adult relationships can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been serving Virginia’s young people for more than 60 years. Under Ellie’s leadership, the organization supports mentoring relationships for more than 2,500 children across Virginia, from south of Richmond through the Peninsula and into Hampton Roads. Ellie has worked with BBBS for 10 years and brings both professional expertise and personal passion to the role, having first experienced the program as a volunteer “Big.”
Ellie shared a story from her own mentoring journey with her “Little,” Julie, a second grader who once told her, “Tuesdays are top-notch days.” That one relationship showcased a ripple effect. Julie’s improved behavior when her Big visited on Tuesday meant easier mornings not just for her, but for her entire classroom. “That’s the impact of our program,” Ellie explained. “It extends far beyond the Little.”
In Norfolk and across Hampton Roads, BBBS serves many low-income families, children raised by grandparents or in foster care, and military families, though none of these are qualifiers for participation. Nearly half of BBBS’s referrals come from schools, and the program has grown significantly in the region.
BBBS is trauma-informed, recognizing that 90% of Littles have experienced two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences such as poverty, violence, mental illness in the household or a parental issue. Research shows mentoring results in improved mental health, better school outcomes, reduced aggression, and long-term economic benefits. Ellie summed it up best.
“Together, we are defenders of their potential.”
Those interested in getting involved can volunteer, provide financial support, serve as a community champion, or explore board service. As Ellie reminded us, being part of something “Big” starts with showing up for one child—and the impact can last a lifetime.
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters.
