Lunch & LearnPresented by Todd Wilson

Director of Recruitment

“Remember the challenge before us. We either save our children one at a time, or we keep building jails to put them in ten or fifteen years from now. This is the time to stop building jails and get back to the task of building our children. No organization does this better than Big Brothers Big Sisters.” - Gen. Colin Powell (retired), America’s Promise Alliance for Youth

Our VISION is that all children achieve success in life.

Our MISSION is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Vision, Mission & Accountability

Vision & Mission

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America was founded in 1904 and is the oldest youth mentoring organization in the USA.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest youth mentoring organization in the USA, with nearly 340 agencies, serving approximately 200,000 children, their families and the 200,000 volunteer mentors.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters International currently operates in all 50 states and in 12 countries around the globe.

History: Who Are We?

• In 1904, a New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble.

• Coulter organized the Big Brothers movement by recruiting 39 volunteers, who each agreed to befriend one boy.

History: Who Are We?History: Who Are We?

• Serving Middle TN for 45 years

• We serve 8 counties: Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Robertson, Rutherford, Williamson, Cheatham, and Dickson

• Over 1,500 children served in Middle Tennessee in 2014

Who/Where We Serve

• Recognized nationally by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America with “Gold Standard” and “Top 10 Quality” awards

• Winner or finalist in the Center for Nonprofit Management’s Salute to Excellence awards from 2007-2011

• Tennesseans 2013 “Top Work Places” winner and “Most Meaningful Place to Work” award winner

Recognition

We partner with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community and hold ourselves accountable for each child in our program achieving:

• Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships

• Avoidance of risky behaviors

• Educational success

Accountability

• One-third of American children – a total of 15 million – are being raised without a father. Nearly five million more children live without a mother. *

• 85% of the prison population raised in fatherless homes ^* 2010 US Census data

^ Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction

The Need

• On June 30, 2014, there were 19,783 males and 1,463 females assigned to TDOC for a total of 21,246 offenders incarcerated in Tennessee's adult institutions. 30,000 children in Tennessee have an incarcerated parent.

• Children are waiting.

The Need

Children:

• Ages 6-18

• Single parent homes

• 1/3rd are children of prisoners

• Parent and child want a mentor

The Children We Serve

The Children We Serve

The Children We Serve

78%

80%

82%

84%

86%

88%

90%

87%

89%

83%

84%

82%

88%

BBBSMT Youth Who Maintained or Improved YOS Scores

Program Impact

Better Futures:• 75% more likely than

non-alumni to have a four-year college degree

• 39% more likely than non-alumni to have household incomes of $75,000 or higher

• 48% more likely than non-alumni to be engaged in their community over the past 12 months

* Harris Interactive study (2009)

Program Impact

Community-Based MentoringBigs and Littles meet preferably on a weekly basis, 6 to 12 hours a month, after school or on the weekends, enjoying activities in the community for a minimum of one year.Caregiver is an active partner.

Site-Based MentoringVolunteers spend one hour a week during the school year, meeting with their Littles at a local elementary or middle school, for a minimum of one year.

Do What’s Right For You

Site/School based matches are made ONLY in August through February. No new matches are made in March through July.

WHY?

Must have sufficient time in school year to form meaningful relationship prior to summer break when the match cannot meet

CAN I STILL VOLUNTEER NOW?Yes. We will take your contact information and call you mid-May to set up an interview in June or July with the goal of approving your application and matching you when school starts.

Site Based Recruiting FYI

Instrumental in making the connection and establishing the match, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee match support staff (social workers) provide coaching, support and oversee the relationship as it evolves.

Our Social Workers Rock!

Match Support Personnel…• Conduct initial match introduction meetings• Make ongoing contacts and assessments with each match

participant (Big, Little, and parent/caregiver)• Suggest games and activities to foster enjoyable and

educational match experiences • Provide regular support and encouragement to all

participants• Assist in problem solving and identifying additional

resources• Recognize and celebrate milestones• Continually coach match relationships to build long, strong,

outcome-oriented matches • Utilize resources and opportunities (activities, tickets, etc.)

to strengthen the match relationship

Our Social Workers Rock!

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is challenging organizations to take an active role in the community by engaging and promoting volunteer service inside and outside the workplace. For more information, contact Laurel Creech 615-862-6030 laurel.creech@nashville.gov

Leadership Starts At The Top

Video

Can someone dim the lights please?

1. Express interest2. Complete the

application3. Schedule an

interview4. In-depth interview

with a professional social worker to assess fit

5. Attend volunteer training

6. Get matched

Steps To Become A Big

All prospective volunteers must agree to:

• Check of their motor vehicle driving record

• National criminal background check

• Check of the national and state sex offender registry

• Provide references

What You Can Expect

Bowling teams for Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraiser. Organize bowling teams to fundraise and enjoy an evening of bowling and team building. No expertise, not even bowling, required. This is a good option for friendly competition between departments or branch offices. As many employees as are interested can participate. Time frame: Between March and August each year; BBBSMT can coordinate a special organizational bowling event if desired.

Ways To Become Involved

Event volunteers for the Franklin Wine Festival. A variety of volunteer activities are available, from selling sponsorships and planning for the event to setting up or pouring wine on event day. No specific expertise required; we will provide information and instructions. Time frame: Planning activities take place throughout the year; the event is in October each year.

Ways To Become Involved

Facebook.com/mentorakid

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN

@BigBroBigSisMT

Youtube.com/user/BBBSMT

Instagram

Pinterest

Engage Via Social Media

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati

2400 Reading Road - #148Cincinnati, OH 45202list@bigsforkids.orgwww.bigsforkids.org

(513) 421-4120

Big Brothers Big Sistersof Mississippi

3455 Hwy 80 WestJackson, MS 39209

cburkett@bbbsms.orgwww.bbbsms.org(601) 961-9286

Help In Your Area

Are you on board?

You CAN Make A Difference!

Make A Difference

It takes just an hour a week!