big news Summer 2014

bignews
Summer 2014
A publication of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
Stuart encouraged Ky’Antre to be a leader and become
involved in school activities. He helped him excel by stressing
the importance of his presentation skills, etiquette and
showing respect for adults.
“First of all, it’s a great experience. I look up to my Big
Brother and always have. It’s the kind of relationship that’s
always building.”
-Ky’Antre
In 2011, Ky’Antre received the Voices for Children Youth
Award. This award is given to honor a young person who
has personally triumphed in the face of challenging
circumstances.
Stuart’s life has changed for the better too.
“Ky’Antre has been such a vibrant addition to my life,
adding insight to how I see the world, how I see myself,
and other people. I’ve adapted my personality and grown
as a person.”
-Stuart Chittenden
Changed for the Better
When you give to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
you are creating lifelong friendships. These friendships are
professionally created and nurtured with a proven track record
of success and longevity.
Ky’Antre graduated this spring from Benson High School and
will be attending Iowa Western Community College this fall.
Thanks to your continued support, we will make more
lifelong friendships like Stuart and Ky’Antre’s a reality.
In 2006, then ten year old Ky’Antre met his Big Brother Stuart
Chittenden for the first time.
Like many Littles in our program, Ky’Antre was having
behavior problems at home and in school. His father was
in prison back then and he remained absent from his life for
many years. Anxious to find a positive male role model for her
son, his mother enrolled him in Big Brothers Big Sisters.
When Stuart volunteered to be a Big Brother, he didn’t foresee
that one step would lead him to change a young boy’s life
for the better, forever.
In the beginning they worked together on their
communication and explored common interests. Stuart
became the role model Ky’Antre needed during a pivotal time
in his development.
FOLLOW US ONLINE:
@BBBSMIDLANDS
Ky’Antre and Stuart the night Ky’Antre received the
Voices for Children Youth Award in 2011.
FACEBOOK.COM/BBBSMIDLANDS
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From the CEO
Community Partnership Feature
Whether you are inspired to
give by the data that proves
our impact like donors Jasmine
and John, or by stories like Little
Brother Ky’Antre’s, you are
changing our community for
the better, forever.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is all
about relationships…the
relationships between the Big and the Little, the
Little’s family and our match support staff and the
relationship we have with you, our donors. These
relationships are vital yet we sometimes forget the
larger impact they have on the strength and success
of our community.
When you make a gift that allows us to provide
professional support to a mentor and we coach that
mentor to help their Little through a challenge in
school it doesn’t help just one child.
If the Little is struggling less and is behaving better in
class it helps the whole classroom. Your own child
or neighbor could be in that classroom. When the
school day runs more smoothly for kids from all walks
of life it positively impacts their relationships with
their family.
You can imagine how the ripples continue throughout
our community. The short and long term impacts of
your investment are far reaching and powerful.
The teacher in the Little’s classroom and their
students may not know you are there but we do and
we are so grateful to you for changing their lives and
transforming our community.
I hope you enjoy reading your copy of the Big News as
it highlights what you are accomplishing through your
giving. Want to know more? Contact me anytime at
402.505.4132 or nturgeon@bbbsomaha.org.
Corporate Partner of the Year
Lincoln Financial Group and the
Lincoln Financial Foundation are
incredible supporters of our Littles
and their success.
During the past 7 years Lincoln
Financial has invested thousands of
dollars in our kids through education
focused grants.
Lincoln Financial employees have
participated in Bowl for Kids’ Sake,
served on our Board of Directors, run
activities at our annual winter carnival,
and served as Big Brothers, Big Sisters
and Big Couples.
Thank you for all you have done for
the youth we serve.
Lisa Taylor-Jones, HR Business Partner
at Lincoln Financial, receiving the award
at the Big Appreciation Brunch.
You Gave. You Bowled. We All Won.
A few quick results from 2014 Bowl for Kids’ Sake:
• You raised over $350,000 to make more matches in our community
• Over 1,000 participants made it to the lanes
• Corporations invested over $70,000 in sponsorships
We truly appreciate everyone who donated and participated in
this year’s event. With the substantial amount you raised we will be
able to make more matches and change lives for many children who are
facing adversity in our community. We are already planning for 2015 to
be even bigger and better!
How can you make a difference today?
Nichole Turgeon, CEO
P.S. Please start another ripple through our community
by signing up to be a Big or a Match Maker today.
Not interested in a monthly commitment? Return the
enclosed donation envelope or make a gift online at
BBBSOmaha.org/donate.
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It’s easy by becoming a Match Maker.
You can register through our secure website,
www.bbbsmidlandsmatchmakers.org or
contact Sheryl Lindau at 402.905.3342.
Give the amount that works best for you,
and start a success story every month.
Scan here to
Learn More!
Start Something
™
Donor Feature
John Means Business
Numbers. Research. Facts.
As a donor these words mean a lot to you.
While our matches are out in the community having fun and building
one-to-one life changing relationships behind the scenes, it is the numbers,
research and facts that reassure our donors they are making a wise
investment when giving to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
John Gilbreath was drawn to our agency because of our proven
success. John was introduced to Big Brothers Big Sisters by his brother, who
volunteered as a Big. John’s involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the
Midlands bloomed over time from participating as a bowler in Bowl for Kids’
Sake to now serving as a board member and Match Maker.
Jasmine Hermanek & John Gilbreath
John, a financial analyst, chose to become a Match Maker because of his
understanding of numbers, research and facts.
“It would be easier for the organization to manage its
cost and expenses knowing it can count on monthly gifts.”
John Gilbreath
A Match Maker is a monthly giver to
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
In addition to being Match Makers, John and his wife Jasmine are supporters
of our program in a variety of ways. As a social worker, Jasmine refers the
children she serves to our program knowing they will receive the
one-to-one attention they need to succeed.
•It is easy to sign-up
•Any amount can make a difference
•You are helping to match a child every month!
Like you, John and Jasmine are making a difference in our community by
being donors and advocates for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.
You can make a difference, sign up to be a Match Maker today!
Meet Board Member John Gilbreath
Vice President of Finance at Tenaska Capital Management
Board Member since January of 2014
Who have been the leaders and mentors in your life’s journey?
“My dad was my mentor. He was a good role model. When someone doesn’t have someone like my dad, Big Brothers Big
Sisters steps in.”
How does your philanthropy reflect your values?
“I performed my due diligence to make sure I am giving my money to an organization that is effective and is run efficiently.”
How do you feel Big Brothers Big Sisters impacts our community?
“It helps kids in our community to be more successful with a stable adult figure in their life. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves as a
grassroots effort to steer kids away from joining a gang or criminal behavior, it is hitting the issue head on.”
FOLLOW US ONLINE:
@BBBSMIDLANDS
FACEBOOK.COM/BBBSMIDLANDS
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We are bringing the party to Iowa!
Did you know that Big Brothers Big Sisters of the
Midlands serves families in Pottawattamie and Mills
counties in Iowa?
Help us spread the word and help more children in
southwest Iowa by participating in Bowl for Kids’ Sake in
Council Bluffs.
No training required! Form a team today, collect a few
donations and have a great time with friends, all while
helping kids in the greater Council Bluffs area
receive a mentor.
What: 2014 Bowl for Kids’
Sake Council Bluffs
When: September 12-13
Sessions at 6 & 8pm.
Where: Thunderbowl
1900 Madison Ave
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
National Big Sister of the Year
Congratulations to Dakotah Taylor for being named
the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 2014
Big Sister of the Year.
Dakotah and her Little
Sister, Peggy, traveled to
Chicago in June to
receive her award
during the 2014
National Leadership
Summit.
Dakotah and Peggy with
Jamie Foxx, the national spokesperson for
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
You did it again!
The 2014 Omaha Gives!
campaign was a huge
success!
Thanks to generous supporters like you, Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands received
$14,588 in donations and matching funds from
158 donors in just 24 hours.
Because of your support, more children in the
greater Omaha area will have a Big Brother, Big
Sister or Big Couple in their life guiding them to
achieve success in school and life.
Thank you to those who donated and to
the Omaha Community Foundation for hosting
this annual event.
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Program Feature
Big Appreciation Brunch
Thanks to our generous partnership with the University of
Nebraska Omaha, we were again able to recognize the great work
our Bigs do at the annual Big Appreciation Brunch held on the
UNO campus.
The brunch is a special event to celebrate the life-changing work that
goes on every day in our program. It is also an opportunity to recognize
our graduating Littles and those who have gone above and beyond in
our program.
The power of your generous gifts to change the lives of children
facing adversity is reflected in quotes from the nominators of our 2014
award recipients.
The 2014 Parent of the Year Award
Robin Frederick
“Robin has faced a lot of challenges in her
life and yet always puts her kids first. She
supports Jaden’s relationship with his Big
which allows him to support and trust us.”
The 2014 Big Couple of the Year Award
Brian and Linda Reddish
“Little Brother Jaxson, has started reading
more on his own, which helps him in school.
He has also learned to be more responsible
and that it’s ok to try new things.”
The 2014 Big Brother of the Year Award
Karl Foxhoven
“Karl helps me learn stuff. He’s helped me learn
to ride a bike. Karl deserves this because he’s
one of the nicest people I know. I’m not one of
the fastest learners and Karl’s fine with that.”
The 2014 Big Sister of the Year Award
Traci Shaffer
“Traci has been matched with her Little Sister
Hannah for only a year, but in that year they
have endured more struggles than really
any match ever does. Traci has been the only
consistent person in Hannah’s life for the past
year and has made it her mission to make sure
Hannah gets to experience life as a kid.”