BBBS of Macomb: The History of the Local Organization & Leadership Throughout the Ages
It all started with an idea to help local youth.
Back in the mid-1990s, Bill Jacobs of Macomb was hearing more about children who could benefit from mentors and positive role models, both through his job leading the Housing Authority of McDonough County and from his wife, who assisted at Lincoln School. Jacobs gathered some like-minded community residents from businesses and social service organizations to form the McDonough County Youth Mentoring Council in the late 1990s.
The council, which had the full support of then-Macomb Police Chief Bill Hedeen and then-Mayor Tom Carper, met monthly in the police station's community room to formulate a plan for a mentorship program for local youth.
'The chief and the mayor understood the need for this, and then one day, I got a call at work from Chief Hedeen to come down to the police station because the city had received an opportunity to apply for a state-sponsored youth services grant. The grant program consisted of four youth-centered programs, and one was Big Brothers Big Sisters,' Jacobs explained. 'Professor Dan Yoder, who was with the Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration department at Western, helped us find someone to help with the grant process, and with the blessing of Mayor Carper, we took this to City Council and they approved our participation in this program and the application.
Tom's support was vital for this; without it, it never would have happened.'
The initial $40,000 for the organization came from grant, as well as the City of Macomb, he explained. Because the local organization was new, it had to be affiliated with an existing chapter, and thanks to a relatively new resident, Tim Lipp, who came to Macomb from the Quad Cities, the Macomb organization was able to go under the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi Valley umbrella. Lipp, was a 'Little' when he was growing up in South Dakota (see earlier story), and was a 'Big' in the Quad Cities, served as the first BBBS Board president.
And the McDonough County Youth Council members transitioned to become the first BBBS of Macomb's Board of Directors.
'We were in the process of getting the organization off the ground, and we needed a director, so I reached out to someone I knew, Tim Hallinan, because I thought he'd be a wonderful director,' Jacobs explained.
'Tim had all the qualities we wanted and needed, and he was all about human services. I remember making the call to Tim and without hesitation, his answer was 'yes.' Tim was all in from the beginning and really built the program.'
The local BBBS office was created in October 2000, and was originally known as BBBS of Macomb. The first office, under Hallinan's direction was in Eisenhower Tower, and then the office moved to Prairieview Homes. Besides the City and other organizations, Jacobs noted that Macomb Community Unit School District No. 185's partnership was crucial as they helped spread the word about the new organization aimed at helping children. It has also been the school district that helped raise thousands of dollars over the years as district teachers and staff have been integral players in the annual Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser.
Digger’s College City Bowl has served as the host alley for the fundraiser for many years, with Larry Aurelio of Larry A's providing pizzas for the participants.
'I've been active in local, regional, state and national organizations over the years, but pulling this together from the start and watching what is has grown into has been an amazing thing to see,' Jacobs said. 'Accomplishing something like pulling so many people from diverse backgrounds together for a common cause, well, there's nothing like it.'
BBBS Leadership – The First Director: Tim Hallinan Hallinan, who is a retired Illinois Army National Guard veteran, was attending Western Illinois University in the early 1990s and was working at Bridgeway, where he was hired by none other than Bill Jacobs.
After graduating from WIU, Hallinan was working as an advocate for Western Illinois Service Coordination when he received that fateful call from Jacobs about a new mentoring organization.
'I'm grateful Bill called me to see if I was interested. I loved my work with WISC, but the opportunity to make a greater impact in helping to establish this new agency was a challenge I was eager to take on,' Hallinan explained. 'I was hired as the first executive director in October 2000, and I also began serving as a 'Big' to two Little Brothers.'
For the first few years, he was the sole employee and his work focused mostly on program delivery and volunteer recruitment. According to Hallinan, the organization's Board stepped up in the early years to help establish a fundraising program to sustain and eventually expand efforts though grants and community events, such as Bowl for Kids' Sake.
'The Macomb community embraced the new Big Brothers Big Sisters and continues to do so. Notably, the late Bob Meixner (who was the longtime principal of Edison School) advocated for the Macomb schools to become involved through teacher referrals of 'Littles', participation in our fundraising events, and eventually hosting a school-based mentoring program that allowed us to reach three times as many youth as we would have otherwise,' Hallinan explained. 'The business community also embraced the new agency and were instrumental in our early fundraising success through sponsorships and donations.'
Hallinan explained the success of the program over the years has been built on the 'Littles,' 'Bigs,' parents, board members, staff and donors who shaped its direction and continue to support the organization today.
'It's always been fulfilling to see the difference Big Brothers Big Sisters has made in so many lives, not only for the 'Bigs' and 'Littles' but also in the way the community has rallied around it,' Hallinan said. 'We were putting the finishing touches on our first Bowl for Kids’ Sake when the 9/11 attacks happened just a week before. We went ahead with the event, not expecting much, but Macomb really showed up despite the heavy national mood. At that point, it hit me that Macomb really cares for its kids and wants us here. I will always hold BBBS close to my heart. I think back on the early challenges, and I can’t help but cheer for every life that has been positively changed by the power of mentoring and continues to be today.'
BBBS Leadership – Growing the Organization: Pete Tarantola When Hallinan left BBBS in July 2008 to join the WIU Foundation, he continued to serve as a BBBS Board member for several more years, including under the leadership of the organization's second director, the late Pete Tarantola, who served as the director until his passing at the age of 43 in October 2019.
'Tim built our program and Pete enhanced and grew it,' Jacobs said. 'He had been an AmeriCorps Volunteer and Dan (Yoder) brought Pete to us as he was looking for a placement. The Housing Authority had decided to bring Pete in as our AmeriCorps Volunteer and he was with us just a few days when the job opened up with our Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter. I told him about it, he applied and the rest is history.'
According to Jacobs, Tarantola brought even more life and vitality to the organization, building on Hallinan's successes to make the local chapter even better. Following Tarantola's passing, volunteer and 'Big,' Sarah Baca was named the organization's director.
BBBS Leadership – Ensuring a Sustainable Future: Sarah Baca Baca first joined the organization in 2018, when she decided to take a leap and become a 'Big' to an eight-year-old Macomb girl. While Baca had worked with children and families for most of her career and knew that there were children in need of mentors and adults, she admits she was a little nervous at first.
'I wondered if I'd have enough time, or if I'd know what to say. Seven years later, my 'Little' and I are still matched! She will be 16 this November,' Baca exclaimed 'After I was matched with my 'Little,' I served as the local organization's AmeriCorps Volunteer for two years, working to expand outreach and support for matches. Today, I'm honored to serve as Program Director, helping other 'Bigs' and 'Littles' build the same kind of connection that my 'Little' and I have. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be in this role today if I hadn't taken the chance to become her 'Big.' Baca said over the last seven years, she and her 'Little' have grown side-by-side, with Baca watching her 'Little Sister' gain confidence, discover her talents and set bigger goals for her future. Together, they've celebrated birthdays and life's milestones, drank too many coffees, ate too many French fries and sang their favorite songs in the car, Baca added with a laugh.
'Most importantly we have talks about life's many challenges and successes. Those moments remind me that mentoring isn't about grand gestures; it's about showing up, so a young person knows they are valued and never alone. She has taught me just as much as I've taught her,' she shared. 'And if someone is considering being a 'Big,' I tell them to take the leap! You don't have to have all the answers or be perfect, just be willing to listen and be present for a child. I felt the same uncertainty back in 2018, and now I can't imagine my life without my 'Little.' The time you give will come back to you in ways you can't imagine.
'Please join us at our 25 anniversary open house on Oct. 8, which is going to be a celebration of every 'Big,' 'Little,' families and community partners and supporters who have kept BBBS strong in McDonough County for a quarter century,' Baca concluded. 'I hope everyone – current matches, past Bigs and Littles, the community, and anyone curious about mentoring – will come share memories and see firsthand how these relationships change lives. It's a chance to honor our past and get excited for the next 25 years.'
BBBS Leadership – The Big 'Big': BBBS Mississippi Valley CEO & President Jay Justin Jay Justin has served as the president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley for 22 years, and has been an instrumental part of the leadership umbrella of the McDonough and Warren counties organization from almost the get-go.
'It's important to acknowledge the hundreds of community volunteers, businesses and organizations that have made Big Brothers Big Sisters a mainstay in McDonough County. Sustaining a strong, safe and high impact service that is free to the schools and families is an incredible accomplishment,' Justin pointed out. 'Our organization is not a government or taxpayer supported organization, so to sustain an office, staff and all the other elements that are required and expected to ensure safety and impact is a true testament to the community. From the founding board members to the hundreds of mentors, bowling teams, plant buyers and individual donors, the 'village' is alive and well in McDonough County with high expectations for the future.'
As the lead staff member, Justin oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. He also works to ensure the vision and mission of the organization is executed to their fullest, impacting youth and families in the service area includes several counties in western Illinois and eastern Iowa.
'It means everything to me to be a part of this wonderful and critical organization. You want to be part of meaningful things that benefit yourself as well as others in your professional and personal life. With Big Brothers Big Sisters, we get to work with families, schools, individuals, businesses and organizations locally to create that 'village' for children, that extension of support, encouragement, safety and motivation to help them navigate the social, academic, and economic challenges within our community,' Justin explained. 'We provide a safe and nurturing environment where kids can see the world through a different set of lenses, learn from others life experiences and try all kinds of new things to broaden their skill sets and see broader opportunities and resources that are out there for them.
It is true that one person can change the trajectory of a child’s life, as I have seen it hundreds of times over the years in my role,' he added. 'This impact and sense of community is why I have been a part of it for over 20 years. It's the true neighbor helping neighbor model in its purest form. It also is a great bridge of the generations. If you want to have fun, feel a sense of purpose and be that someone who opens the door or window for a young person to flourish, consider our organization. Your life experience is what makes you an ideal candidate, and age is no factor in being a successful mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides a fun, fulfilling and efficient way for adults to connect with and inspire kids to succeed academically, socially and economically. The simple act of friendship can be a gamechanger for a child. We have 25 years of documented success to prove it. Be that friend to a child in our community.'
