How It Started
In 1999 we started as a grassroots organization with a vision to improve the lives of children in our community.
For two years prior to the opening of our agency, community and board members raised funds and began the strenuous task of meeting the National Standards put forth by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
It was tough work, but we were driven by our mission.
Since our beginning, we have strived to create matches and improve our programs for the betterment of our community.
Our Mission
Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
Our Vision
All youth achieve their full potential.
Together We Are Defenders of Potential
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County provides peer mentorship by matching volunteers and youth in our community. These one to one relationships have proved to be a positive life impact on not only our youth but the volunteers who so graciously volunteer their time!
Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children realize their potential and build the foundation for a successful future. We nurture children and strengthen our communities.
Who We are
Tiffany Scribner (she/her) - Executive Director
Tiffany Scribner brings over 15 years’ experience in leadership, education, project management, fundraising, and event planning. Most recently, Tiffany completed BBBS of America's inaugural Leadership Institute, as well as graduating from Skagit Valley College's Leadership Whidbey as a member of the 2021 class. Previously, she served as Center Manager and Program Services Coordinator at the Northwest Workforce Council, a non-profit in partnership with WorkSource, which provides funds and community-wide workforce development planning and coordination.
Ms. Scribner's former career includes teaching, guiding, and mentoring students as an undergraduate professor of theatre and art. Over the course of her career, she has launched successful volunteer programs for several organizations and worked as a Departmental Manager at Cleveland Playhouse as well as working at The Santa Fe Opera where she guided apprentices, and lead junior staff. Tiffany holds a Masters of Fine Art from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Bachelors of Art from Coastal Carolina University.
“I’m passionate about the role that mentors play in the course of a life. The guidance and care shown to me by mentors has influenced my life and being immeasurably. When I’m not defending the potential of youth, I can most often be found in the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, foraging for mushrooms, kayaking, fishing or rockhounding. I love cooking, reading, board games and lapidary.” Scribner is the Vice-Chair of the Oak Harbor Youth Coalition, and a Board Member of the Oak Harbor Creative Arts Foundation.
Sarah Gannon (she/her) - Match Coordinator
Sarah Gannon is a Match Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County (BBBSIC). She has been with BBBSIC since February 2020 and enjoys the positivity of this organization. Sarah is originally from Washington, but moved back to the state in 2019 after living in Vermont and Maine for nine years.
While in New England, Sarah assisted children and families in gaining access to community and state resources through case management. She has worked with homeless youth, children with developmental and/or cognitive delays, children with emotional and behavioral disorders, and individuals with substance use disorders. She completed her undergraduate studies at Eastern Washington University (Go Eags!), and got her Masters degree from the University of Vermont.
"In my free time, I love to play with my dog and spend time with my husband. I'm a huge hockey fan (Go Bruins!) and proudly cheer on the Seattle Sounders. I love to cook and bake, listen to music, read comic books and watch Marvel movies, as well as spend time in the outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I am super passionate about what I do and am very grateful to be able to be a defender of the potential of youth at BBBSIC!"
Grayson Akins (she/her) - Match Coordinator
Grayson joined the team in October 2020 as the Customers Relations Specialist, and moved to the position of Match Coordinator in January of 2022. Grayson holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Western Washington University. Grayson is thrilled to be able to work in and give back to the community in which she was born and raised.
BBBSIC holds a special place in Grayson's heart as she is a former Big from the Coupeville School Based program. During her time as a mentor, she witnessed the amazing ways in which BBBSIC empowers youths to believe in their potential.
When Grayson isn't making a difference in the lives of youth here in Island County, she often spends her time reading, taking photos, playing D&D, and enjoying videogames. She can be also be found volunteering as the Secretary of Whidbey Pride Festival Planning Committee.
Ana Dunsworth (she/her) - Community Health Worker
Ana Dunsworth is a Community Health Worker who oversees our DINO program. Ana is originally from West Virginia but spent five years in Northeast Georgia prior to moving to Whidbey Island in September 2022. She is excited to take advantage of all the Pacific Northwest has to offer and simultaneously give back to the community through her work at BBBSIC.
Ana has positively impacted the youth of her community throughout her adult life via her roles as math tutor, swim instructor, sports coach, mentor, and nanny. She earned a BS in Psychology from West Virginia University and MS in Applied Gerontology from Brenau University. Ana has a professional background in senior living. As Program & Outreach Director, Ana created enrichment opportunities for older adults, including seniors living with dementia. She has seen firsthand the importance of intergenerational programs for both young and old participants. Ana hopes to use her expertise to increase cooperation, interaction, and sharing of skills and knowledge between Island County’s youngest and oldest generations.
When not helping the young people of Island County ‘Dabble In New Opportunities,’ Ana can be found reading, practicing yoga, trying new restaurants with her husband, taking her dogs for hikes, or learning to crochet. She feels honored to have the ability to assist the youth in our community in realizing and reaching their fullest potential.
Preston Merritt (he/him) - Customer Relations Specialist
Preston Merritt is the Customer Relations Specialist and have been with the agency since August of 2022. He is very excited about being able to join the amazing team here in Island County!
Preston was originally born overseas in England, but spent most of his childhood and adult life in Washington State. He and his wife, Christina, relocated from the Lakewood, WA area to Oak Harbor, WA in July 2022. Prior to moving to the area, he worked in the IT department in a retail environment for seven years. He has managed multiple retail stores as well, one in Lakewood followed by one in Federal Way. Before moving into the private retail sector, he had experience working in the public sector, specifically with the courts system as a Superior court clerk, clerking for drug court as well as family law court.
“I am so happy to have joined the BBBSIC team. I am passionate about ensuring that all the youth of our community have opportunities to discover their potential. I am also dedicated to removing any barriers to those opportunities whether they be social or economical in nature and see that the BBBSIC team has that same dedication,” Preston states.
In his free time, Preston enjoys getting away to new locations with his wife. He loves spending a weekend finding somewhere they have never been and discovering all the hidden gems waiting. He also really enjoys spending time in bookstores and libraries, and reading as much as he can.
Hope McCormack (she/her) - Fund Development Coordinator
Hope McCormack joined the BBBSIC team in September 2021 as our Fund Development Coordinator, but has been working with BBBSIC long before that! Hope has served as a fundraiser, the Tree Decorating Chair, and a Tree Designer & Decorator for our largest fundraiser of the year, Festival of Trees, for over 14 years. Hope’s breadth of experience spans owning and operating a small business, community outreach, event planning, and fundraising. Mrs. McCormack is vastly involved in the Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island Community, with strong connections to NASWI, Soroptomist International, and the Downtown Merchants Association.
Being a business owner in Oak Harbor for over 20 years has allowed Hope to be heavily involved with the community. She has cultivated many relationships with these businesses in order to accumulate ongoing donations and funds for the BBBSIC organization. Prior to working with BBBSIC, Hope was a Marketing Organizer for the Oak Harbor High School Grad Night Committee. In this position she worked to generate monetary & physical donations for the Grad Night event via local businesses. Hope is working to get our Sustaining Membership Program off the ground and once fully implemented, this will bring in steady monthly donations from generous local donors. She is dedicated to this organization and all the amazing things it does for our local youth.
In her free time she loves to hunt for and collect antiques, cook for friends and family, watch foreign films, and spend time with great friends, great books, and her new granddaughter. Hope has been lucky to have people in her life that were mentors, and taught her the power of mentorship. She is humbled to be able to help in any way possible, to facilitate those connections for youth in our community.
Fern (they/them) - Emotional Support Mascot
Fern joined the BBBSIC team in April of 2022 as the official agency mascot and emotional support dinosaur. They are passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and making sure that Island County youth have a safe space to realize their potential. Fern enjoys helping out around the office, hide-and-seek, and big hugs! When not at the office, Fern can sometimes be found visiting their best friend Daisy the Dragon at the Oak Harbor Library.
