Even through these uncertain times, our Bigs are more committed to their Littles than ever.? We’re asking for your support in helping Littles stay connected to their Bigs. Help us defend the potential of youth nationwide. Please donate today.
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We want to recommend a heartwarming feel-good book that many of us could use right now!
HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time is about small acts of kindness that have transformed one or even hundreds of thousands of lives. You’ll cry tears of joy at some of these incredible stories, laugh at others and be reminded of what really matters.
We could all use a boost and this book provides it. And, best of all, proceeds support Big Brothers Big Sisters. The author, Brad Aronson, has been a Big for over a decade and there are two beautiful stories in the book about matches. People Magazine also featured the book online. Click here to read more about the author and the book can be found on Amazon.
We are excited to join the NFL Draft-A-Thon live stream tonight at 9:50pm EST/6:50pm PST to see our ambassador, Philadelphia Eagles Safety and Big Brother Rodney McLeod, appear on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Rodney will highlight the work Big Brothers Big Sisters is doing in communities nationwide to keep kids connected and provide critical support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL Draft-A-Thon stream will be carried live across the NFL’s digital channels including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. During Rodney’s appearance, he will urge viewers to visit bbbs.org to donate.
Ahead of the NFL’s Virtual Draft on Thursday, April 23, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was proud to support the first ever Virtual BIG Draft to celebrate newly recruited mentors, hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, in partnership with the NFL Inspire Change initiative, the Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES™ program and Nike. The event was an opportunity to recognize 100 volunteers (called ‘Bigs’) who have answered the call to become mentors to youth in Miami. Previously scheduled to take place at Hard Rock Stadium, the organizations moved to a virtual format to follow COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to help reduce the spread of the disease.
Earlier this year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the NFL Inspire Change initiative teamed up to launch The BIG Draft, a football-themed volunteer recruitment campaign aimed at inspiring positive adult role models to become mentors to young people (called ‘Littles’). This spring, while NFL teams prepared to select their next generation of players for the NFL Draft, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in communities across the country set out to recruit the next generation of mentors.
The ‘pre-show’ featured the NFL’s Anna Isaacson, SVP, Social Responsibility, along with players sharing their support of the one-to-one mentoring program, including:
- Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Rodney McLeod (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Ronnie Harrison (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Roy Robertson-Harris (Chicago Bears)
- Tim Grunhard (retired Kansas City Chiefs)
To commence The BIG Draft, viewers had the opportunity to hear first-hand draft experiences from Miami Dolphins alumni including Channing Crowder, OJ McDuffie, Dan Marino and Pat Surtain.
Following the stories, Miami Dolphins players including Terrill Hanks, alumni, cheerleaders and staff shared words of motivation as they formally introduced and recognized each Big as a new ‘recruit’ of the Big Brothers Big Sisters team. Although social distancing won’t allow the newest class of Bigs and Littles to meet in person just yet, they will still have the chance to connect virtually and the importance of having a caring adult mentor in their lives, is more important than ever.
In preparation for The Virtual BIG Draft, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, in partnership with the NFL Inspire Change initiative and the Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES™ also hosted a virtual combine which featured workouts with Fuel Up to Play60 and Q&A’s as an opportunity for communities across the country to interact, connect and learn about healthy lifestyles in a healthy and safe environment with Miami Dolphins players including Walt Aikens, Davon Godchaux and Terrill Hanks, Dolphins alumnus Twan Russell and cheerleaders.
“We are so proud to congratulate these new Bigs for volunteering to mentor a child in their community, especially in light of what our country is facing right now,” said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “It is wonderful to know their support and friendship will be there, long after this crisis ends. A big thank you to BBBS Miami for finding a way to keep kids connected, and we appreciate the continued support from the Miami Dolphins and the NFL.”
“We knew we couldn’t let the opportunity go by and not find a way to celebrate our new Bigs,” said Gale Nelson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. “Our staff will ensure that the Bigs and Littles will keep in touch through technology. And we look forward to the time when they will have a chance to meet and enjoy spending time together, whether it’s playing catch or watching their favorite team on the field.”
“Year-round NFL clubs, players, and social justice grant partners like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America work to inspire change in communities nationwide, reducing barriers to opportunity and uniting people from all walks of life,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP, Social Responsibility. “It is important to continue this critical message during this time of uncertainty and we are excited to join in celebrating the new volunteers who’ve made the decision to become a Big in Miami.”
“The Miami Dolphins in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrated the virtual BIG Draft and Combine to unify and recognize those at the forefront of providing children the tools to realize their potential,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs Jason Jenkins said. “We believe that football unites, and these activities connect with our goal to make South Florida healthier, educated and united.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North America Coronavirus Task Force
A partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC) during this time of crisis
Two national organizations representing hundreds of agencies and thousands of communities across North America, have joined forces to collaborate in support of mentoring relationships that ignite the power, promise, and potential of youth during the coronavirus pandemic.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring services to youth, ages 5 to young adulthood. BBBSA represents 240 local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in the United States, serving 5,000 communities; BBBSC represents 101 local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Canada, serving 1,100 communities. The rapid spread of the coronavirus and important measures put in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus are isolating the young people and families we serve, presenting serious challenges to their financial, emotional, and physical well-being. Across both nations, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are stepping up to keep Littles connected to their Bigs, provide moral support and essential resources to families.
Unfortunately, the ripple effect of the coronavirus and the resulting economic downturn threaten the fundraising channels of local agencies and force cancellations of fundraising events that were critically important to sustain the organizations and continue needed mentoring services and family support. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of North America Coronavirus Task Force will work together to: 1) Identify funding that can be used to save agencies from closing their doors, 2) Align messaging, thought leadership, and best practices for the North American BBBS network and 3) Pursue options for virtual engagement so the strong mentoring relationship continues between the mentor and mentee, as well as provide support for families as needed.
“We are focused on making sure our critical mission will continue in every community,” said Pam Iorio, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “All of our agencies have been adversely affected by the pandemic and together with BBBS of Canada we will work to ensure our one-to-one mentoring programs can thrive.”
“We continue to encourage the bonds of social interaction, albeit in a new and digital way during these challenging times of social distancing and self-isolation,” said
W. Matthew Chater, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “We will work together to ensure agencies can continue to provide these essential services and life-changing mentoring relationships for young people through this pandemic.”
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was founded in 1904; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada was established 106 years ago. For more information, visit www.bbbs.org and https://bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
Members of the 16-person Big Brothers Big Sisters of North American Coronavirus Task Force include:
BBBSA
Gale Nelson – President and CEO, BBBS Miami (Florida)
Amy Kuchta – CEO, BBBS of Southwest Michigan
Kalli Christ – Executive Director, BBBS of Acadiana (Louisiana)
Nichole Turgeon– President and CEO, BBBS of the Midlands (Nebraska)
Darcey Palmer Schultz– BBBS of Central Indiana
Jeremy Foster– CEO, BBBS of Metro Chicago (Illinois)
Betsy Fitzgerald – President and CEO BBBS of the Heart of Georgia
Alicia Guevara– CEO, BBBS New York City (New York)
Beach Pace– CEO, BBBS of Columbia Northwest (Oregon)
Angela Reed Padilla– CEO, BBBS Central New Mexico
Kwame Johnson– President and CEO, BBBS of Metro Atlanta (Georgia)
BBBSC
Gurpreet Lail – President and CEO, BBBS of Calgary (Alberta)
Leanne Nicolle – President and CEO, BBBS of Toronto (Ontario)
Victor Roman – Executive Director, BBBS of Regina and Area (Saskatchewan)
Nick Sharpe – Executive Director, BBBS of Colchester (Nova Scotia)
Susan Ingram – Executive Director, BBBS of Ottawa (Ontario)
We sit at a coffee shop and check our emails, go to work with colleagues and friends, attend our child’s baseball game, show up at a school function, shop for groceries, eat dinner at a restaurant, walk with neighbors, and pick-up our dry-cleaning. All of this and more was part of the daily structure of our lives, upended by the coronavirus. In this previous life, you may have noticed the adult with a child at the ballpark together or sitting outdoors at a café eating ice cream. You see, the adult was a volunteer mentor whom we call a “Big” and the young person we serve called a “Little.” Together they are a “Match” – our term for a mentoring relationship between a caring adult volunteer and a young person.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. This mission is brought to life in all 50 states, in thousands of communities. Big Brothers Big Sisters is fueled by dedicated staff and volunteers serving incredible young people.
But what happens to that mission when we are asked to stay at home, to keep 6 feet from one another, and events across the country are cancelled? What happens to these established relationships and to the tens of thousands of youth in America who were waiting to be matched? Our organization’s commitment to these Matches and this all-important social connection has been challenged like never before. As necessary measures have been put in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, our daily routines are changing. Our personal interactions have become limited and this creates a considerable amount of anxiety.
Should I share what is happening at BBBS when you are faced with your personal challenges and concerns because of the coronavirus? I’ve thought about this each day, and ultimately decided, yes, I have an obligation to share.
I have an obligation because I know these young people. Born with potential, each has opportunities to grow up and become productive and positive members of our society. But I have seen the barriers firsthand. The poverty and dangerous neighborhoods. The struggles within families of substance abuse. The lack of a role model to show a different path. The loneliness and bullying that is so often experienced.
And I have seen the difference the Big makes. The friend to talk with. A guiding force. Someone to turn to when life becomes harsh. Someone to defend the potential inherent in every young person.
While we put our own families, friends, and livelihood first, I also ask that we remember the most vulnerable among us, our children. Every Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the country needs your support. Fundraisers have been cancelled and leaders are looking for ways to sustain their critical mission. The families of the children we serve will be some of the hardest hit during the pandemic and economic downturn that may last much longer.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been part of the fabric of this country since 1904. That longevity means we have weathered many storms. It means that at our very core our organization, our volunteers and the families and young people we serve are resilient and strong.
Please consider making a gift today to Big Brothers Big Sisters at bbbs.org. You can give to your local agency through this website or give to the National Office which offers support to all agencies across the country.
With your help and caring, we will come through this.#keepkidsconnected
Pam Iorio
President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Non-profits are social good businesses, delivering essential services to communities. Big Brothers Big Sisters makes life changing matches between an adult volunteer (a “Big”) and a young person (a “Little”). Our one-to-one mentoring model has been affected drastically by the coronavirus and the restrictions that have been placed on our daily interactions. The need still exists, and the families of our Littles are some of the hardest hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus. When Congress acts to provide assistance to small businesses, let’s make sure non-profits are included. We have joined forces with 20 other national non-profits to request assistance, click here to read more about this important message and we urge you to contact your local members of Congress to express your support.
Together, Let’s #InvestInKids
Joining Forces to Expand Support for Youth Programs Across the Country
We’ve teamed-up with 12 of the nation’s leading youth programs to launch Be a Champion, #InvestInKids to raise awareness and increase support for youth programs across the country. Every day, these programs reach millions of kids across the U.S. and make a positive impact in their communities and the world around them. Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters connect the next generation to opportunities for play, adventures, education, skill development, leadership, service and more, helping young people make friends, give back to their communities and build self-confidence. All of these programs enable young people to learn about themselves and build a strong foundation for a healthy, productive life. These programs and our nation’s youth need champions. Every adult has the opportunity to be a champion for youth in their lives and in their communities. We invite you to be one of those champions. Apply to become a big with an agency near you today!
The Be a Champion, #InvestInKids campaign is funded through generous support from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Participating organizations include, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire, Coaching Corps, Girls Inc., National 4H Council, Nature Bridge, Outward Bound, Playworks, Positive Coaching Alliance, the Student Conservation Association and the YMCA.