Who we are

All participants are not only welcome at the table, they are sought out and encouraged to join, supported to join, and advocated for the table, especially if their voice is not equitably represented as a community.

BBSVC actively affirms and celebrates the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all stakeholders - youth, families, donors, volunteers, and staff. We ensure that all voices and perspectives are welcomed, heard, and honored. We commit to safe environments where all individuals feel respected and valued equally, to a nondiscriminatory approach, and to actively dismantling inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services.

In specific support of LGBTQ+ youth, BBSVC recognizes that case managers and mentors ideally become the “safe person” that LGBTQ+ youth feel best supported by in their journey. Understanding of how to respond appropriately to the coming-out process is critical. Staff should always be demonstrating kindness, open-mindedness, and ongoing learning, which are qualities intersecting with JEDI cultural humility, regardless of any participant’s identity.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affect a reported 3 out of 4 youth by the third grade. BBSVC program staff actively seek ways introduce healing and bolster resilience in the youth and families we serve.

All agency program staff are fully trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and recognize the benefits of innovative case management that meets youth where they are, not with the expectation that youth must be the ones to reach out for connection.

Learn more about our Team: Changing Minds initiative impact here.

In partnership with Ventura County Probation Agency and others, BBSVC staff continues to build ongoing professional development and creates spaces that are specific to serving youth in crisis or who have experienced trauma due to incarceration, addiction, gang exposure, or other high risks that lead to a need for prevent or break the juvenile incarceration cycle, as well as support youth-led ways to introduce more equitable practices in related, intersecting community systems.

Chief Executive Officer

“I'm still in touch with my "mentee" from when I was a 6th grader and she was my Kindergarten Buddy.”

Program Coordinator

“Give me a forest to explore, I love hiking, and sleeping under the stars! “

Executive Associate

“I once travelled to Denmark to see Harry Styles in concert”

Case Manager

“I have a super cute dog.”

Program Manger & Match Support Specialist

“I started the Simi Valley Girls Lacrosse Programs prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

Enrollment/Match Support Specialist

“My 8th grade teacher loved my name so much that as an assignment, she made everyone write a comic book about ‘The Great Superhero, Brenda Bravo’. I'm still embarrassed to this day.”

Activities Coordinator

“I've been to four of the seven continents.”

Director of Programs

“I love mustard!!! I mean, love it. I will put it on anything or eat it plain.”

Program Coordinator

“If you don’t find me at the office, you will most likely catch me at a concert or the dance floor.”

Case Manager, Community

“I am a proud dad of two little ones!”

Marketing Associate

Director of Marketing

“I make a REALLY good artichoke dip. I’m prepared to have a cook-off with anyone who challenges me.”

Program Coordinator

“I'm certified to pierce ears! “

Director of Philanthropy - Signature Events

“I was born in Australia and once had a kangaroo for a pet as a child.”

Director of Operations

“My nickname as a child was Oodie Dot, (I couldn't pronounce Susie Scott). My husband still calls me that sometimes.”

Case Manager Fillmore Site

Youth Room Coordinator

President

Owner of Papaefthimiou APC and a Litigation, Trial, and Appellate Lawyer

Vice President

Co-Owner and CEO of Wheelhouse Dispensary

Treasurer

Secretary

Grant Director at Oxnard College

Partner at FMB Wealth Management

Founder & CEO at PopRak, Inc.

President, American Horticultural Supply, Inc.

Vice President, Sr Branch Manager at First Bank

Senior Commercial Loan Officer for

CDC Small Business Finance

Vice President, Worldwide Compliance & Business Ethics at Amgen

Vice President, Signature Bank

Children Skills for Life

CEO, Hygiena

Senior Vice President-Regional Manager Bank of Southern California

Principal at Problem Property Purchasers LLC

Executive Director of Strategy and External Affairs, Gold Coast Health Plan