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
Sarah Gannon (she/her) - Director of Programs
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 Sarah's free time, she loves to play with her two dogs and spend time with her husband. She is a huge hockey fan (Go Bruins and Kraken!) and proudly cheers on the Seattle Sounders. Sarah enjoys cooking and baking, listening to music, reading, playing video games, watching Marvel movies, and playing Dungeons & Dragons, as well as spending time in the outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Sarah is super passionate about what she does at BBBSIC and is very grateful to be defending the potential of youth!
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.
Kanza McCauley (she/her) - Community Health Worker
Kanza McCauley is a Community Health Worker who oversees our DINO program. Kanza was born and raised in the heart of Oklahoma, before she enlisted in the United States Navy at seventeen-years-old, serving for over five (5) years as an Aviation Electrician. The Navy gave Kanza the opportunity to see Chicago, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Japan, Guam, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Hong Kong before she was honorably discharged to receive a higher education.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration – Human Resources in New York City, New York. Recently, Kanza embraced a new adventure, relocating to Whidbey Island in June 2023. Here, she loves the stark contrasts from “the Big Apple”, including the slower-paced island life, vegetation, and mild climate! During her free time, Kanza enjoys lattes with fun swirls, hiking, camping, picnics, stargazing, and traveling to new places!
She is so excited to join BBBSIC’s team and immerse herself in this community. Every interaction with a young person is an opportunity to be the mentor she never had, to offer support, encouragement, and guidance. She believes that by investing in the next generation, we’re investing in the future of our world. Working with youth isn’t just a job; it’s a privilege and a responsibility she embraces wholeheartedly!
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.
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.
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