I first met Aimee Risser, the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Central Gulf Coast, through my late close friend, Mike Lapeyrouse. Mike ran the American Equity Underwriters insurance division at The Cooper Group, Inc. in Mobile.

The Cooper Group is one of the nation’s largest marine services companies in the U.S. It also owns and operates a local restaurant division, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Felix’s Fish Camp, and the Bluegill, along with a few private supper clubs in the area.

Mike was an incredibly smart, high-energy businessman—a force of nature. If he believed in a project, he poured everything into it. So when he told me he had become involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and wanted me to meet Aimee years ago, I knew he was fully committed, and I was eager to learn more.

A few weeks ago, on November 13, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast hosted The Big Event: a gala honoring their 35 Corporate Partners and recognizing their Bigs and Littles of the Year. The celebration coincided with World Kindness Day and was held at the beautiful new Bay Gourmet Crown Hall on St. Louis Street. “We never do the same thing twice,” Aimee says with a smile.

When Aimee and I recently met to catch up, I was reminded of just how much of a dynamo she is—very much like Mike. Together, they helped build a legacy that still thrives today. “Eighteen years ago, under Mike’s leadership, AEU piloted the first Corporate Big Partner program,” Aimee recalls. “It was designed to engage local businesses, encouraging leaders to serve as Bigs for kids in need of mentors during the work day.”

In classic Mike fashion, he recruited several close friends to join the effort, many of whom are still involved today. “This isn’t a short-term deal,” Aimee emphasizes. “It’s a one-year commitment to a Little, and it makes a huge impact.” She tells me about Caine O’Rear, a local attorney and longtime Big. 

“I’ve been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for approximately 25 years, beginning when I was matched with my first Little Brother in 2000. He was in second grade at the time, and we stayed together as a match all the way through his graduation from high school, and have stayed in touch ever since. I was attracted to Big Brothers Big Sisters because I saw a need for volunteer mentors and wanted to continue working with and helping to develop young kids after my own sons had gone off to college and beyond.  

After my first Little Brother, I was matched again, again, and again, and I am now matched with my fifth Little Brother.  Every one of these matches has been a wonderful, rewarding experience – particularly for me and hopefully for all of my Little Brothers. The program works because you’re giving of your time and being there in a one-to-one relationship for a child who wants and needs a friend for guidance, support, and direction. Just being there for him is probably the most powerful and meaningful thing you can do to affect his life’s trajectory.  For anyone reading this, I heartily recommend joining us in serving the children of Baldwin and Mobile Counties. It may just be the best thing you’ll ever do.”

John McClelland, another dedicated board member, agrees that the benefits of mentorship are far-reaching.  “Like many, many folks, I was searching for ways to address the serious and constant challenges facing our communities,” he said. “When Mike introduced me to Big Brothers Big Sisters, I quickly realized one-to-one mentoring is unquestionably the most effective solution. Through the years, the countless stories I’ve heard from parents, teachers, administrators, Littles, and Bigs confirm that this is absolutely a life-changing program. Big Brothers Big Sisters dramatically improves our communities and is worthy of our support!”

Aimee remains just as passionate about her work today as she was when she first began. “When I started 18 years ago, we were a sponsored program under the YMCA. I had been working for the YMCA system for a number of years, and the BBBS program was struggling.  Knowing problem-solving is a gift of mine, the YMCA CEO at the time asked me if I could help turn things around—so off I went.” 

She was matched with her first of now four amazing Little Sisters and immediately felt that she had discovered where real, lasting social change occurs- between two people who would otherwise never know each other.  In 2011, after years of navigating the challenges of being under another organization, BBBS became fully independent and tripled in size.

Big Brothers Big Sisters was founded in 1904 in Philadelphia. The Central Gulf Coast agency operates independently of the national organization. They receive national training and research support, but they raise 100% of their own funding and accept no federal dollars. “We scramble every day for funding and volunteers,” Aimee says. “Our services are free for families, but running an organization takes resources. That’s why our Corporate Partners, individual donors, and local foundations make such a tremendous impact.”

Each partnership begins with Aimee meeting with a corporate CEO to understand the organization’s hopes for community involvement. “It becomes whatever you want it to be,” Aimee says. “Our Bigs are now in every type of industry, and many partners stay with us for years. The impact changes the lives of our Bigs just as much as it does for our Littles.”

BBBS of the Central Gulf Coast is strictly evidence-based in its approach. “This is one of the most impactful ways to help kids who need guidance and encouragement,” Aimee explains. “We work with children who will benefit most from mentoring, and our matches become a support system for entire families.”

Before becoming a Big, volunteers complete a thorough background check, an interview, and a four-hour orientation. “I call our nine program staff ‘Master Connectors,’” Aimee says. “They walk alongside our Littles and their families—they help navigate challenges, remove barriers, and create opportunities across our entire service area.”

Because the mission is clear, BBBS collaborates easily with other social service organizations. “Maybe a family experiences a job loss, a fire, or another major disruption. We help them get connected to the support they need outside of the resources we provide.”

The results speak for themselves. Research shows that the positive impact of mentoring is profound. “We mitigate risk exposure every step of the way,” Aimee says. “We often engage with kids as early as elementary school, planting seeds of belonging, confidence, and future success. Every child is unique, and we meet them where they are.”

BBBS of the Central Gulf Coast helps break generational poverty cycles and close socio-economic gaps by two-thirds. Their innovative programs are cutting-edge, and a remarkably high percentage of Littles grow into thriving, successful adults—all because of well-trained, passionate, committed Bigs and the ongoing professional support of the BBBS team.

Corporate Partners consistently report that involvement benefits their own workplace culture. Today, BBBS serves coastal communities in Alabama and Mississippi. Volunteers can participate in two main ways, based on the child’s needs and the volunteer’s schedule: 

School-based mentoring, where Bigs visit one of 50 partner schools for one hour each week; and Community-based mentoring, where Bigs and Littles spend 4–6 hours each week exploring the world around them—whether that’s going fishing or discovering a new hobby together. Right now, 100 Littles are on a waiting list. “We still engage them and invite them to activities—they just aren’t matched yet,” Aimee explains.

BBBS has also strengthened its partnership with the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, opening more doors to engage local businesses. They are expanding workplace mentoring for high school students along the Eastern Shore, and working closely with church partners to develop faith-based mentoring opportunities. “Our match numbers are growing again across our nine-county service area—for the first time since 2019,” Aimee says. 

The 8th annual King Cake-Off is scheduled for Friday, January 23rd, 5–7:30 p.m. at the Mobile Convention Center. This is a great way to support the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission and discover amazing bakers from across the Gulf Coast!  Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at kingcakeoff.com.

Please consider how you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast. They are fully donor-supported and couldn’t ask for stronger leadership or more dedicated corporate partners. “I love our families and volunteers,” Aimee says.

I know you do, Aimee. Best of luck in the future!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast

www.centralgulfbbbs.org