May/June 2014community . mentoring . family . youth development

The BIGIn The CommunityBowl for Kids’ Sake

Bowling is BACK! Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 7, 2014 and come join BBBSAZ for Bowl For Kids’ Sake. With your support, BBBSAZ can continue matching adult friends and mentors with kids currently on our waiting list. There’s no better way to have fun, raise funds and awareness for a good cause and stay out of triple-digit temperatures!

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Location: AMF Tempe Village Lanes

Start today by recruiting a team of 5 friends, coworkers, or family members and registering on www.bbbsaz.org/bfks2014

If you prefer to have your very own company bowl, we can do that too! Use your teambuilding budget and time to benefit BBBSAZ – a WIN –WIN!

Just get involved today – we’ll help you figure out all the details! Contact Jessica Whitney, Events Manager, for more information at jwhitney@bbbsaz.org or call 602-264-9254.

“Spare” a little time for a BIG cause!

updateAbout usMission: Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

Vision: Our vision is that all children achieve success in life. By partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community we are Accountable for each child in our program achieving:

• Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships

• Avoidance of risky behaviors• Educational success

Big Brother OutreachThere are currently more than 300 Little Brothers waiting to be matched. Some youth will wait over 2 years to be matched with a Big Brother. If you know someone who would be a great Big Brother, please refer them to us. Let’s START SOMETHING for the kids in our community. Volunteer today at www.bbbsaz.org/volunteer.

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Event UpdateBig Breakfast Surpasses Goal!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona hosted a fundraising breakfast event on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the Arizona Biltmore for 350 guests. Participants enjoyed the morning program and collectively contributed more than $110,000.

The program this year featured very special speakers: Phoenix First Lady Nicole Stanton, Lattie Coor, Ph.D and President Emeritus of Arizona State University, and program guests, Mother Sharon Barnes and Big Brother/Little Brother match Dave Powell and Eric Snyder.

Mrs. Stanton and Dr. Coor each expressed deep concern for Arizona’s children and their current welfare; while Sharon, Big Brother Dave and Little Brother Eric shared stories of hope and success rooted in one-to-one youth mentoring. Sharon’s 10-year-old son Danny was also at the event with his Big Brother, Brad.

Sharon shared this experience at the breakfast, “This past summer we all went camping and Danny learned how to put up a tent, build a campfire and fish - three things a young boy really should experience! Brad is a wonderful role model for Danny and I am so grateful to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona for the careful screening process that they use to find safe, compatible, caring mentors for children like Danny.”

The breakfast event, like all BBBSAZ fundraisers, is vitally important to the mission of BBBSAZ, as it strives to match the more than 300 children currently on our waiting list. Each child waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister is hopeful that the phone will ring with news of his/her mentor stepping up to take time for them.

Big Tips for Matches“Sometimes I find it challenging to work with my Little’s family, and I get frustrated that I might not be making a difference. Am I making an impact in the life of my Little?

Yes, you are making a difference! But, keep in mind that each match relationship is unique and some changes are more visible than others. Please be confident in the knowledge that the most important part of your match is that you are providing your Little with a healthy, positive, and caring relationship. This relationship is sometimes the only support that your Little can truly rely on. Your friendship is a gift!”

By: Terri Waibel, LMSWTraining & Child Safety Specialist

Program Update Youth Served to DateBBBSAZ programs have done the following:

Youth Served FYTD: 1,500New Matches Made: 501Current Active Matches: 1,074

The graph shows the total number of youth served inour fiscal year to date in our community and site-based programs.

Site Based

Community Based

1171

329

Lattie Coor, Ph.D

Littles at Larry Fitzgerald’s Football Camp

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Event UpdateAs You Wish

As You Wish Pottery Painting Place honored a special friend and former Big Sister, Denese Bornacelli by hosting a painting party for 60 Big Brothers/Little Brothers and Big Sisters/Little Sisters on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Friends and family celebrated Big Sister Denese’s life by doing something that she loved – painting pottery with her Little Sister.

Denese unexpectedly passed away at the age of 33. She was a member of the As You Wish family for many years and loved sitting at “her table” to create her masterpieces. In honor of her May birthday, Denese’s family provided the pottery and As You Wish waived all studio fees for BBBSAZ guests at the Tempe Marketplace location.

BBBSAZ was proud to be a part of the Bornacelli and As You Wish families on this special night of healing. Through the sharing of stories, art and laughter, Denese’s memory was truly honored.

Bike Giveaway

AAA Arizona Insurance Group Employees built and donated six amazing bikes to BBBSAZ. Three lucky girls and three lucky boys are now happy owners of bikes that they can be proud of. This summer will bring new fun for these Littles and we wish them safe and happy bike adventures!

Grant Update Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona recently awarded BBBSAZ with a grant for general mentoring needs. As a local company for more than 70 years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona takes its commitment to Arizona seriously by aligning its success with the success of the communities it serves.

Every year BCBSAZ supports many worthwhile charities and organizations through the contributions, talents and resources of its employees. Fortunately, BCBSAZ recognizes the value in placing a caring mentor in the life of every child in need! Thank you Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona!

Thanks again to AAA Arizona – it’s corporate involvement like this that makes our communities thrive!

The Phoenix Zoo

140 matches joined BBBSAZ in April for lunch at The Phoenix Zoo. After lunch, donated by Port of Subs, matches spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the zoo.

Match Scuba Diving at Phoenix Scuba

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

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Grant UpdateCity of Phoenix Community Development Block Grant

City of Phoenix funding in the amount of $35,000 was awarded to BBBSAZ for the 2014/2015 fiscal year. These CDBG funds will enable BBBSAZ to implement community and site-based mentoring services in south and central Phoenix.

Community-based mentoring will be provided in south and central Phoenix and site-based mentoring will be provided at Longview Elementary School on 12th St. and Indian School Rd. In both settings, the service being provided is one-to-one mentoring between a screened and trained mentor and a youth in need of a role model. In addition, mentor-youth matches will have access to activities offered through BBBSAZ’s targeted programming for youth in Education and Career Development, Risk Avoidance, Healthy Living, Community Involvement, and Cultural Experience. Thank you City of Phoenix.

In The Community Building The Traditional Bow and ArrowWell recognized Cultural Educator, Royce Manuel, a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community east of Scottsdale, recently shared his knowledge of traditional bows and arrows with our Salt River, Emerson Elementary and Gila River site-based programs. Both Bigs and Littles learned about traditional bows and arrows and had a great time trying them out.

Manuel, a retired firefighter and the second of 10 children, shared skills learned from his paternal grandmother, including how to use agave to make baskets, sandals, water canteens, and of course, bows and arrows. Passing on traditional skills to those of his culture brings Manuel great joy and BBBSAZ is grateful for his time, passion and service.

Staff Spotlight

Jessica SissonDirector of Programs

Little Brother Jeremiah volunteering at Sojourner Center

Name: Jessica Sisson

Years employed by BBBSAZ: 8 1/2

Position(s) at BBBSAZ: Director of Programs, previously Quality Assurance Specialist & Program Specialist

What you like about working for BBBSAZ: The people I work with! I’ve worked at several non-profits & have never worked with people who are more caring, hardworking and mission-driven.

A career experience that you’re proud of: Revamping a volunteer recruitment program & a high school youth group at another non-profit.

A favorite weekend hobby/activity: Anything crafty or creative.

What makes you laugh? People walking into things, walls, screen doors, etc. makes me laugh every time (after I check to make sure they are okay, of course).

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Match Outing ActivitiesYou Don’t Have To Learn The Hard Way

BBBSAZ invites you and your Little to explore activities this summer that might be new. Reading is a great way to escape our triple-digits and learn something new together. As Nelson Mandela so eloquently stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

BBBSAZ has recently partnered with author J.R. Parrish to offer his book, You don’t Have To Learn The Hard Way, FREE to matches interested in achieving life success.

Mr. Parrish, a self-made millionaire, did learn the hard way. Because of his life experience, he now offers what he wishes someone would have given him when he was starting out - a no-nonsense blueprint for personal and professional success.

Interested in receiving your free copy? Just contact your Program Specialist for details.

Think Big Calendar

PWC’s Financial Literacy Curriculum

If you didn’t already know, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) is offering online curriculum towards financial literacy for our matches. This is an online tool which also offers print-out activities and each module/topic is separated by grade level.

Click here to go to the site.

“A key component of PwC’s Earn Your Future commitment is our financial literacy curriculum. The curriculum is composed of easy-to-follow lesson plans accompanied by interactive handouts and dynamic multimedia components. This curriculum was created to provide students and educators across the US with free and easy access to financial literacy education. Download it, teach it, and share it. The modules span grades K–12.”

If you participate, please tell your Program Specialist or call 602-264-9254.

Little Brother Collin and Big Brother Jacob at Arizona Science Center

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres - Monday, May 26th @ 5:10pm

Tour the Tempe Police Station - Saturday, June 14th @ 10:30AM

Phoenix Symphony Presents: The Composer Is Dead - Sunday, May 25th @ 2:30PM at Symphony Hall

Sea Life Arizona Aquarium - Littles get in free with purchase of adult admission

Price Waterhouse Coopers Financial Literacy Activities

Discounts on Golfland and Sunsplash Tickets

As You Wish Custom Pottery and Painting - Studio Fees Waived for Bigs and Littles

Act One Culture Pass

Phoenix Art Museum - Littles get in free with purchase of adult admission

See www.bbbsaz.org/thinkbig for more information on activities.

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Your Support MattersCompany Matching Gifts

Gifts to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona could be matched dollar for dollar by employers!

Company matching gifts are a great way for supporters to maximize personal contributions to Big Brothers Big Sisters and increase the impact of their gift. By taking advantage of your company’s matching gift benefit, you may be able to double or even triple the amount of your contribution! Find out today if your company will match your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Unsure? Try contacting your personnel or HR office.

Most corporate procedures are simple:

• Request a Matching Form from your company.• Complete and submit the form to Big Brothers Big Sisters along with your gift.

Completed forms can be sent with your personal gift to:Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona1010 E. McDowell Rd Suite 400Phoenix, AZ 85006

What is The Big Update? Thank you for taking the time to peruse The Big Update! Our goal in sending this publication every other month is to keep you, our special stakeholders, supporters, parents, and volunteers, connected and informed regarding relevant agency activities. We appreciate your continued involvement and invite you to stay inspired through our stories of empowerment, success, and friendship. Every month something amazing happens at BBBSAZ - so stay tuned!

Laura Capello CEO & President

Contact Us

1010 E. McDowell Rd. Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ 85006www.bbbsaz.org • 602-264-9254 • TTY 800-367-8939 • facebook.com/helparizonayouth

Match painting at As You Wish