Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Phoenix and Chase
Phoenix is a 4th grade boy with 6 other siblings being raised by a single mother. When Phoenix met his Big Brother Chase, he was struggling in Reading and displayed some acting out behaviors in school. Chase was a sophomore in high school when he first met Phoenix a year ago. Phoenix felt so special to be matched with a high school student who was there just for him each week.
Chase encouraged Phoenix to practice good behavior every day and do his best in school. A year later, Phoenix’s report card shows that he is now demonstrating exemplary behavior and maintaining all passing grades! Phoenix feels comfortable with Chase and feels like he can talk to him about anything. He is so proud to have Chase as a Big Brother. When Chase attended a Christmas Party at the Boys and Girls Club last month, Phoenix couldn’t wait to introduce his Big Brother to his mom and siblings!
Chase and Phoenix have formed a wonderful friendship and Phoenix has even inspired Chase to want to go into a career that involves working with children some day!
Chase encouraged Phoenix to practice good behavior every day and do his best in school. A year later, Phoenix’s report card shows that he is now demonstrating exemplary behavior and maintaining all passing grades! Phoenix feels comfortable with Chase and feels like he can talk to him about anything. He is so proud to have Chase as a Big Brother. When Chase attended a Christmas Party at the Boys and Girls Club last month, Phoenix couldn’t wait to introduce his Big Brother to his mom and siblings!
Chase and Phoenix have formed a wonderful friendship and Phoenix has even inspired Chase to want to go into a career that involves working with children some day!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Eric and Lucille
Eric and Lucille were matched last year, while Eric was in 2nd grade. When they first met, Eric stated that he did not like to read and had no interest in books. Lucille knew she had her work cut out for her if she was going to get Eric excited about reading.
After the first month of meeting with Eric, Lucille sent me a poem that Eric wrote, titled “Believe in Ourself One Time”. The message of the poem is that anyone can change the world if they believe in themselves. This was the beginning of the talented creative expression that was blossoming in Eric. Lucille also inspired Eric to write and illustrate his own book, which Eric was very proud of.
It did not take long for Eric to realize how fun reading and writing can be with the encouragement from Lucille. He now looks forward to reading books each week with Lucille. Eric’s personality has really opened up and his confidence has improved tremendously since he started working with Lucille. He always has a big smile on his face when he talks about her and Lucille has told us that being a Big Sister has been the best experience of her life!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Start Something Campaign
Visit http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/blog/giving_guide/2011/01/big-brothers-can-you-spare-a-dime.html for the original article!
By Susan Miller, South Florida Business Journal
There’s much to be said for being a nonprofit that’s been around for more than 100 years.
For one thing, a lot of people have probably heard about your mission. But, there’s also a downside to that longevity.
By holding tight to the past and failing to update their message, many nonprofits have created fundraising challenges and discovered that, in order to survive, they must come up with ways to speak to a new generation of donors.
Now, for the first time since its founding more than 100 years ago, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America is doing something it has never done before: It’s asking for money.
As part of National Mentoring Month, the organization known for its mentors has launched a campaign dubbed Start Something,which highlights the “life-changing impact” a mentor can have, but also points out that there is a dollar figure attached to that mentor.
While mentors aren’t paid, there is a cost associated with their training, background checks and monitoring.
“This isn’t about putting a volunteer and child together and saying ‘bye-bye, have a good time,’” said Ana Cedeno, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County.
Cedeno, who sits on the national marketing committee for BBBS of America, said the new message unveiled this week was two years in the planning.
The need to update the organization’s message was what Cedeno calls “an a-ha moment of realizing we weren’t doing a better job, or a more global job of reaching out. A lot of folks didn’t understand that what we do takes funds.”
William Bee, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, said the reality is that nonprofits are businesses, and it takes money to operate a business.
“This forces us to become more focused on the capacity to raise funds,” he said.
That’s particularly true for his affiliate, which last year took over some of the services offered by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Palm Beach County after it filed for Chapter 7.
So, not only does he face the challenge of adding services, but he’s doing it from scratch.
For Bee, the challenge is “in forming long-term relationships and re-establishing the credibility of what we do,” he said.
But, the new BBBS campaign is not just about donors, it’s also a call to action in a way that will resonate with an audience that, more often than not, is getting its messages through social media channels.
“We are rebranding so that people know about the life-changing results,” said Mack Koonce, VP and COO of BBBS of America.
He said the organization was looking to create a brand that works in social media and is easy to grasp.
“Branding is a different thing in this Internet world and the way people connect,” he said. “You want to build on your strengths and legacy, [but] at the same time you have to transform and change to stay relevant, so it’s a balance of holding on to the things that make us an iconic brand, while at the same time being new and fresh and relevant.”
Like BBBS of America, the YMCA’s rebranding is a jumping-off point to letting people know there are costs associated with the services they provide, and there is a need for donations.
I don’t doubt that, as fundraising becomes increasingly more difficult, nonprofits' survival will be based on their ability to come up with new ways to engage donors.
Read more: Big Brothers: Can you spare a dime? | South Florida Business Journal
By Susan Miller, South Florida Business Journal
There’s much to be said for being a nonprofit that’s been around for more than 100 years.
For one thing, a lot of people have probably heard about your mission. But, there’s also a downside to that longevity.
By holding tight to the past and failing to update their message, many nonprofits have created fundraising challenges and discovered that, in order to survive, they must come up with ways to speak to a new generation of donors.
Now, for the first time since its founding more than 100 years ago, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America is doing something it has never done before: It’s asking for money.
As part of National Mentoring Month, the organization known for its mentors has launched a campaign dubbed Start Something,which highlights the “life-changing impact” a mentor can have, but also points out that there is a dollar figure attached to that mentor.
While mentors aren’t paid, there is a cost associated with their training, background checks and monitoring.
“This isn’t about putting a volunteer and child together and saying ‘bye-bye, have a good time,’” said Ana Cedeno, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County.
Cedeno, who sits on the national marketing committee for BBBS of America, said the new message unveiled this week was two years in the planning.
The need to update the organization’s message was what Cedeno calls “an a-ha moment of realizing we weren’t doing a better job, or a more global job of reaching out. A lot of folks didn’t understand that what we do takes funds.”
William Bee, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, said the reality is that nonprofits are businesses, and it takes money to operate a business.
“This forces us to become more focused on the capacity to raise funds,” he said.
That’s particularly true for his affiliate, which last year took over some of the services offered by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Palm Beach County after it filed for Chapter 7.
So, not only does he face the challenge of adding services, but he’s doing it from scratch.
For Bee, the challenge is “in forming long-term relationships and re-establishing the credibility of what we do,” he said.
But, the new BBBS campaign is not just about donors, it’s also a call to action in a way that will resonate with an audience that, more often than not, is getting its messages through social media channels.
“We are rebranding so that people know about the life-changing results,” said Mack Koonce, VP and COO of BBBS of America.
He said the organization was looking to create a brand that works in social media and is easy to grasp.
“Branding is a different thing in this Internet world and the way people connect,” he said. “You want to build on your strengths and legacy, [but] at the same time you have to transform and change to stay relevant, so it’s a balance of holding on to the things that make us an iconic brand, while at the same time being new and fresh and relevant.”
BBBS of America isn’t alone
Last month, I wrote that, after 160 years, the YMCA decided it was time for a makeover and would the “MCA” from its name as part of a rebranding effort.Like BBBS of America, the YMCA’s rebranding is a jumping-off point to letting people know there are costs associated with the services they provide, and there is a need for donations.
I don’t doubt that, as fundraising becomes increasingly more difficult, nonprofits' survival will be based on their ability to come up with new ways to engage donors.
Read more: Big Brothers: Can you spare a dime? | South Florida Business Journal
Letter from a Big
"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."
Deepak Chopra
I think being a mentor is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. What could be better than making a direct impact on a youngster's life? My "Little" and I were matched in February of 2010. She is a sweet, creative 10 year old and we have many interests in common. I believe having similar hobbies is a plus and a good foundation for a pairing. We do craft projects and bake together. Each experience is an opportunity to learn. Following directions and learning procedures are good life lessons. Big Brothers Big Sisters has many functions and we try to attend as many of those as possible. My goal is to plan something special each time we are together, but honestly, my eureka moment was when we were sitting together watching for manatees. We talked for hours about everything and nothing. I looked at her and realized, this is what it is all about. Spending time enjoying each other's company.
I have noticed positive changes in my Little over the year. When we met she was reluctant to read. In fact, she would avoid it if possible. I have not pushed the issue, but try to incorporate some kind of practice into our outings. It could be reading a recipe or even the outside of a video game box, everything counts. She really surprised me recently when she decided to write an essay about a day we had spent together! I am so happy to see that she feels more comfortable with her reading and writing skills.
Our relationship has grown also. We liked each other from the beginning, but over the last months she has become very affectionate. I try to remind her often what a great girl she is and how lucky I am to have been matched with her. I am sure that I get as much out of our time together as she does and look forward to being with my Little Sister for a long time. Anyone who will listen has to hear what a great experience mentoring has been for me!
Sincerely,
Kelly
Big Sister Since February, 2010
Deepak Chopra
Check out what it is like to be a Big Sister! From one of our volunteer mentors, here is the story of a very special "match."
I have noticed positive changes in my Little over the year. When we met she was reluctant to read. In fact, she would avoid it if possible. I have not pushed the issue, but try to incorporate some kind of practice into our outings. It could be reading a recipe or even the outside of a video game box, everything counts. She really surprised me recently when she decided to write an essay about a day we had spent together! I am so happy to see that she feels more comfortable with her reading and writing skills.
Our relationship has grown also. We liked each other from the beginning, but over the last months she has become very affectionate. I try to remind her often what a great girl she is and how lucky I am to have been matched with her. I am sure that I get as much out of our time together as she does and look forward to being with my Little Sister for a long time. Anyone who will listen has to hear what a great experience mentoring has been for me!
Sincerely,
Kelly
Big Sister Since February, 2010
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