1. Lunch & Learn
Presented by Todd Wilson
Director of Recruitment

2. “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

3. 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

4. • 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?

5. • 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?

6. •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

7. • 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

8. 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

9. • 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

10. • 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

11. Children:
• Ages 6-18
• Single parent homes
• 1/3rd are children of
prisoners
• Parent and child
want a mentor
The Children We Serve

12. The Children We Serve

13. The Children We Serve

14. 78%
80%
82%
84%
86%
88%
90%
87%
89%
83%
84%
82%
88%
BBBSMT Youth Who Maintained or Improved YOS Scores
Program Impact

15. 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

16. Community-Based Mentoring
Bigs 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 Mentoring
Volunteers 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

17. 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

18. 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!

19. 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!

20. 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

21. Video
Can someone dim the lights please?

22. 1. Express interest
2. Complete the
application
3. Schedule an
interview
4. In-depth interview
with a professional
social worker to
assess fit
5. Attend volunteer
training
6. Get matched
Steps To Become A Big

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. Facebook.com/mentorakid
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN
@BigBroBigSisMT
Youtube.com/user/BBBSMT
Instagram
Pinterest
Engage Via Social Media

27. Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Greater Cincinnati
2400 Reading Road - #148
Cincinnati, OH 45202
list@bigsforkids.org
www.bigsforkids.org
(513) 421-4120
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Mississippi
3455 Hwy 80 West
Jackson, MS 39209
cburkett@bbbsms.org
www.bbbsms.org
(601) 961-9286
Help In Your Area

28. Are you on board?
You CAN Make A Difference!

29. Make A Difference
It takes just an hour a week!