About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to collaborate with young people in and out of the Juvenile Care System, schools, and youth in the community who are looking for everyday resources. We are here to give hope to the individuals in our charge and help them become productive citizens of their neighborhoods and communities. We are here to help rebuild, restore, repair, and replace hopelessness with self-esteem, respect, and self-worth. (TBS) Think Big Services is a grassroots, family-owned, and operated company. Our team consists of Mental Health Counselors Social Workers, Registered Nurses, Retired Military Personnel, Retired Correction Officers, Business Owners, HIV/STD counselors, and other qualified individuals.

Independence is a term that is often used freely to describe young people turning 18. Although they have reached the age where we welcome them to adulthood, many of these young people are unprepared to carry out the necessities of life. Think Big Services has created an array of workshops that will assist the youth in understanding how to better prepare and work through everyday situations.

Our team of professionals is prepared to teach, engage, and execute. We understand that these young people come from various backgrounds, and life can be highly challenging.

Think Big Services program aims to allow the youth to be the best young adults they can be and to challenge them to THINK BIG.

Arlene Reece-Solomon

About Our

Chief Executive Officer

I bring over 20 years of child welfare experience in government, and non-profit experience in both the private and public sectors, with expertise in compliance and Juvenile Facilities. Beginning my career in Nonprofits and then moving into Government, I spent the rest of my career at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services—bridging the gap Between City, State, and Non-Profit.

I started my career as assistant director at a non-secure juvenile jail for girls between 14 and 18 years old. During this time, I created curriculums and workshops for young women to build confidence, self- esteem, and career coaching, to name a few. At the same time, I was making connections in the community by bringing a host of volunteers to provide free services, tutoring, college preparation, employment services, crafting, music, and many more. When the young women were released, they had a sense of accomplishment and were better prepared.

Previously as the Runaway and Homeless Compliance Director, I assisted in bringing change to the Runaway and Homeless system of New York City, certifying hundreds of beds. While ensuring our youth was safe through creating new policies and procedures and yearly monitoring visits. NYC has over 30,000 thousand Runaway and Homeless youth on the streets. Being part of that team was one of the best parts of my career.

Working with Domestic Violence programs, we adhere to keeping men, women, and families safe. Breaking the silence that domestic violence is not only physical abuse but encompasses much more.

Anyone can thrive. Many need an opportunity to do so. We all seek basic needs, love, support, opportunity, and understanding. Our youth are no different.

Think Big Services was created to continue my work with helping people. I hope you will be encouraged to pursue your experiences with the help of the Think Big team.

“If you don’t deal with your today, it will show up in your tomorrow.”

Embracing the lives of people.

Our Team

Kathy Baptiste

I am a retired Army Sergeant; I have spent most of my career on various deployments. Such as Iraq, Germany, Cuba, Croatia, Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Kuwait. After my retirement, I worked for St. Mary’s children and Family Services. Where I stayed for two years working with incarcerated juveniles, this was an opportunity to encourage and motivate young people to change their lives. It also gave me a greater understanding of troubled youth.
Currently, I volunteer at my church, working in the food pantry and sometimes helping people who can’t help themselves, and even giving words of encouragement to our young people. When I am not doing any of the above, I focus on my family and my hobbies, reading and crafting—creating gift baskets, Christmas ornaments, African dolls, and many more.

I aim to continue to do work to make our communities better

Ayana Miller

I was born and raised in Brooklyn NY. Graduated from ASA College as a Criminal Justice major, with over 7 years of experience as a Mentor, Youth Counselor, and Public Health Advisor. I worked for the Bureau of HIV with the Department of Health as a Public Health Advisor. I worked closely with providers, newly diagnosed HIV patients, and patients out of care. I would provide information and resources if needed so they can adhere to their medications. In my role as a Youth counselor, I worked with many runaway and homeless youth on the streets of New York City. In this capacity, I facilitated many workshops, group counseling, and individual counseling.

Currently, I work as a Communicable Disease Specialist. I outreach into different neighborhoods to help those without insurance get insured while educating them on HIV and Prevention options. I also provide HIV testing at no cost to the community.

My goal is to reach and meet people where they are so that I can provide them with the resources they need to make healthy decisions.

Junior Russel Baptiste

I currently work as a Registered Nurse servicing minority communities that are physically and mentally underserved. I’m currently pursuing my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation. Mental health awareness has become my focus because of the many problems facing our youth today. For instance, many of them are dealing with crises such as drug addiction, suicidal ideations, race discrimination, and sexual orientation. For those who have access to healthcare, many of their plans do not cover mental health issues, and this is where I can help to make a difference in their lives. I have twenty-plus years of experience in healthcare, and problem-solving has been my expertise. Being a part of Think Big Services is an honor as I grow and help to fulfill their mission.

Justin Leplatte

Let’s start with family over everything. I was born and raised in Queens, New York. I graduated from
WYO technology in California Sacramento, with an Associate’s Degree in accounting and ASE certification in auto mechanics. I am proud to know that I am a very versatile person. I sometimes do construction projects, assisting in roofing to painting houses. I know a little about a lot. I love cooking, and seeing people enjoy my food gives me joy. I am currently a supervisor for a tradeshow company. I am a newlywed and have two lovely sons, and I am proud to say they are my heart. I work hard and play hard at the same time. Cooking for the youth at the Think Big Events has allowed me to meet incredible young people who want an opportunity to do good.

Annmarie Butler

Registered Nurse
Annmarie Butler, I’ve been a Registered Nurse for forty years. I have always loved nursing and helping people. Working in different fields of nursing has allowed me to learn the other areas of nursing; I worked in New York Hospitals for 35 years. And I now continue my work in Coral Springs. Most of my experience is in labor and delivery and dealing with maternal/child, both low and high risk; I’ve worked in medicine and surgery at the beginning of my career.

Maternal/child has become a more high-risk population with higher incidences of Diabetes, and high blood pressure, which also affects lower-income communities even more. These women experience psycho-social issues that must be addressed during pregnancy and after delivery, such as postpartum depression, spousal/drug abuse, and many other problems that we must deal with daily.

Planned pregnancy and adoption is also an issue. Working with youth and educating them in the mommy and me program has been enriching. Being a part of Think Big Services will give our community the help they need to thrive.

Stacey Solomon

I am a licensed School Counselor with a Master's in Education; I started my career working with families in underserved communities, providing them with mental health services, housing, and employment services, and then moving into education working with a population of 8-13 years of age. This is a crucial point in these children's lives. Many of these young people experience hardships at this age, so you serve not only the child but service the entire family. While also volunteering for Aspire One and Think Big Services, helping young adults navigate everyday living situations.

Our Partners

The Sassy Collection Creative Center

Gyftid

Career Access Program

CancerVersity