The BIG Update - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine

2013
News
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Of Southern Maine
The BIG Update
In This Issue
Event Updates &
News
Program Updates
Start Something
BIG
Annual Report
 Mentor
 Donate
 Volunteer
 Support
Little Sister Mackenzie (9) and Big Sister Andrea were
matched on June 3, 2013. Mackenzie came to our program
because her older sister was leaving for college and her mom
was worried she would feel alone. Mom felt Mackenzie
needed another adult in her life to care about her and be
there for her. Andrea was nervous about becoming a Big
Sister but after talking with another BBBS volunteer she
decided to go ahead and get
matched.
Mackenzie and Andrea have done so many fun things together over the past few
months. They have gone to Sea Dogs games, to the beach, they craft and color.
They attended the BBBS annual summer picnic and just recently participated in
the Kids Maine Marathon Mile. Mackenzie often expresses how much fun she has
with Andrea; she likes that she listens to her, helps her and always has fun things
planned to do. Andrea is grateful that she chose to be a Big Sister because
Mackenzie is a great child who has brought her back to her childhood days. She
sees how wonderful life is through the eyes of her Little.
Big Sister Betsy and Little Sister Shania were matched in
June of 2011. Shania’s Dad contacted us as a single
parent looking for a positive female adult to spend time
with Shania, someone to expose her to more of the
community and to help build her self-confidence. Since
being matched, the pair have enjoyed going to the
movies, getting lunch out or cooking meals together,
walking on the beach and visiting the zoo. Betsy attends
as many of Shania’s school performances and
productions as she can. Shania has made great strides at
school and has found herself part of various summer
camps and school clubs ranging from horse care to
learning about filming and production. Shania’s Dad is
incredibly impressed with Shania’s confidence to try new
things, the positive change in her attitude towards life
and her optimism toward the future.
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News
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Executive Director
Samuel Beal
Board of Directors 2012/2013
Rick Abbondanza Kristy Abraham
Elliot Barry
Jason Bourgo
Matthew Chin
Chris Claudio
Bill Clifford
Caleb DuBois
Carol Ryan Ertz
Marwan Fakouri
Ameila Kurtz
Tim Mathis
Jean McDevitt
Matthew Monaghan
Ellen Niewoehner
Chuck Piacentini Kirsten Piacentini
Jim Raftice
Peter F. Richardson
Gary Robinson
Andreea Sabin
Karen True Winslow Lou Ann White
Craig Young
Staff
Danielle Alexander
York County Program Manager
Tammy Crawford
Intake Specialist
Jessica Dolan
Site-Based Program Specialist
Miranda Hardy
Match Support Case Manager
Barbara Gould
Enrollment Specialist
Casey Hartford
Community Development Director
Steven Kudlach
Match Support Case Manager
Jane Manheimer
Program Manager
Lydia Martzial
York County Program Manager
Linda Nerbak
Enrollment Specialist
Susan Rowan
York County- Community Engagement
Director
Richard Verre
Program Director/Site Based Coordinator
Bids for Kids Auction Making a Difference in a BIG Way
This year’s Bids for Kids event was an enormous success! On Friday, May 11th
Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland saw 400 supporters come together with great
energy, smiles, and good will which made this auction an occasion for the record
books. Polar Express Tickets were yet again a favorite item during the live auction.
Over $15,000 was raised by bidders who were bidding on something much more
important than any item they could have won… They were bidding to support a
Match. The Auction also had a raffle which included a beautiful necklace from Day’s
Jewelers, an Ipad, and finally Red Sox tickets.
This event brought in over $100,000 to support powerful one-to-one mentor
matches throughout the Southern Maine community. A BIG thank you to the Bids
for Kids committee, BBBS staff, Bigs, Littles, item donors, and, of course, the
bidders for their commitment to our mission here at BBBS of Southern Maine.
Reserve your tickets now for Bids for Kids May 9, 2014.
A BIG thanks to our 2013
Bids for Kids Auction sponsors!
Triumvirate Environmental
Dead River Company
UBS Financial
RM Davis
Bernstein Shur
Kepware Technologies
Shipyard Brewing Company
Key Bank
WEX
Systems Engineering
Revision Energy
The 2013 Bowl for Kids Sake in April had some terrific
nd
highlights. Ten teams competed in the 2 annual
Bank/Credit Union Challenge Cup at Vacationland Saco;
teams for the local Rotary Club, SMMC and UNE also
bowled. Hannaford supermarkets had their own outings,
filling 12 lanes for two hours at Bowl-a-Rama Sanford and Yankee Lanes, Portland. A
Lawyers Bowl took place at Bayside Bowl while a community bowl returned to Yankee
Lanes. Despite the fact that more than 500 people bowled in Portland, Sanford and Saco,
we did not meet our fundraising goal.
For 2014 we plan to re-energize Bowl for Kids Sake, reduce expenses and ramp up the FUN
factor! If you and 3 friends would like to Bowl we’d love to have you join the fun!
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News
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Good Mornings, Good Exercise, GREAT MessageChain Reaction, Kids’ Maine Marathon Mile, Walk for Kids’ Sake
th
On September 29 , 101 riders, ranging in age from 12 to 70, cycled one of 3
distances, 12, 30 or 57 miles, to celebrate kids and the adults who mentor
them. A joint effort with the Community Bicycle Center, the event raised
just over $8,000, which will be split between the two organizations. Thank
you to volunteer committee members: Al Zullo, Frank Wertheim, Kim
Schutsky, George Eyerer and Amanda Lehman for a successful inaugural
benefit bike ride! And to our sponsors: Biddeford Savings, Saco Valley
Credit Union, Norway Savings Bank, Central Maine Power Co, Dean
Tourigny DDS PA, Infinity Federal Credit Union, Maine Water- Biddeford &
Saco, Patriot Subaru of Saco, Southern Maine Medical Center, Town &
Country Federal Credit Union, Jim & Gwen Mulligan, Xuron Corp., Clark
Insurance, Pumpkin Valley Farm, Poland Spring, Hannaford, Musician
Connor Garvey, Pedro's, Michaud Distributors, Cumulus WHOM, WGME13,
McDougal Orchards.
HUGE thank you to over 40 route, rest-stop, and registration volunteers!
th
Kids’ Maine Marathon Mile and The Kids’ Fun Run on October 5
were again filled with enthusiastic runners. Kids ages 7-12 ran the
Kids’ Mile and children ages 4-6 ran the Fun Run. The Fun Run was
held on Pedro Field in Portland prior to the start of the Kids’ Mile
which began at the Maine Marathon start line on Preble Street. The
runners were welcomed back at the finish with pizza from Portland
Pie Company, granola bars & fruit from Hannaford Bros., and
drinks from Oakhurst Dairy.
From a Little:
“I like my Big Sister cause she’s fun
and does fun stuff with me like ride
bikes, go for walks, bake a cake,
walk the dog and make things. No
one else does that stuff with me.”
th
On October 5 following the Kids' Mile and Fun Run we had eager participants Walk for Kids' Sake around Portland's Back
Cove walking path. The walkers were welcomed back at the end with snacks and food from our generous corporate
sponsors! Between the Kids' Mile, Fun Run, and Walk for Kids, just over $20,000 was raised from sponsorships,
registration fees, and enthusiastic fundraising!
These events would not have been possible without the help of our event committee: Chairs: Lesley Pugsley & Phillip Gagnon
and members: Sara Fay, Andreea Sabin, Jane Dakers, Tammy Thomas, Amelia Kurtz and more than 40 volunteers who
showed up that morning to help us have a safe and fun event! Thank you! A huge thank you to our sponsors: GOLD:
Spectrum Medical Group, Atlantic Sportswear, Cabelas, Cumulus Radio, WHOM SILVER: Martins Point Health Care BRONZE:
Riverview Physical Therapy, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, InterMed, Waynflete, J.B. Brown & Sons, Monaghan Leahy, Key
Bank, Lebel & Harriman, Purdy Powers & Company
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
2012-2013 at a Glance
BBBS of Southern Maine had 3 strategic planning sessions with robust participation from board and staff. Priority
areas that emerged include goals to:




increase the number of children served, both Community-Based and Site-Based
focus on recruitment of both Bigs and Littles and to conduct strategic outreach to address the need for Bigs
in specific areas
enhance communication strategies to supporters, friends and program participants, including social media
Generate the funds necessary through a well-planned, diverse fundraising effort
Beginning in August, a Recruitment Committee was established. We reached out to area universities to engage
students, spoke to the incoming College of Medicine class at UNE. We presented at many United Way rallies and
fairs, and contacted local cable TV to air BBBS facts and educate the public on our need for more volunteers. A
priority of ours is to engage in targeted recruitment in rural areas to better serve those communities.
Sited-Based Mentoring
Our Site-Based Mentoring Program has also seen some exciting
growth… This year we have opened or revitalized programs with
Westbrook High School (Seniors mentoring Freshman), Falmouth
Middle School Mahoney Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, and
Biddeford Intermediate School.
One Match’s Story:
Big Sister Elizabeth and her Little Sister, Josie, have a very special relationship. From the outside they look like any
other match. They have been matched since November of last year at an elementary school in Portland. Elizabeth
and Josie enjoy playing board games and doing arts & crafts when they are together. They share a remarkable story
of commitment, friendship and determination.
Elizabeth, who lives in Kennebunk and is a junior at Cheverus High School, is a warm, engaging, hard working and
easy going young woman experiencing some serious medical challenges. She feels very close to Josie. “Josie has a
great sense of humor and is truly a joy to be around. I am seeing more and more with every visit that we are
extremely similar.” Josie is a very mature 9 year old who is active, likes sports, arts and crafts. She gets excited to see
Elizabeth walk through the door in anticipation of their match meeting.
The remarkable part of their story started when Elizabeth had to take a medical leave from Cheverus late last winter
when her health condition worsened, she continued to make the trip every Wednesday afternoon to meet with Josie
with help from her mother. “We are happy to make the commute to Portland every week from Kennebunk as my
commitment to Josie is most important,” Elizabeth told our match support staff. “Josie is very patient. I can honestly
say that seeing her brightens up my week and spending time with her makes me so happy.”
While Elizabeth’s medical issues have not improved, she is back persevering at Cheverus this year. She has been
seeing Josie since the first day of school, as often as she can and talks with her on the phone when she just isn’t able
to make it. In fact, they were the first high school match to start meeting this year. The challenges they have faced
have only made their friendship deeper and stronger.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
2013 Annual Report
Our Vision is that every child achieve
success in life.
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, forever.
Our Programs
Big Brothers and Big Sisters are adult
friends and role models for children who
are in need of additional support and
guidance. By reaching out to a child, you
can make a meaningful connection that
will make a difference in his or her life.
In our Community-Based Mentoring
Program a volunteer and child spend 3-5
hours together either weekly or bi-weekly
doing fun activities in Greater Portland or
York County. Our program staff works hard
to be sure to match adults and children
together based on mutual interests so that
it’s fun for both the Big and Little
Through our Site-Based Mentoring
Program we find, screen and train
responsible caring adults and/or high
school mentors who go to one of our 25
program sites and meet with a child for
one hour every week that school is in
session. A Big mentor will act as a trusted
guide and friend to their Little as well as a
positive role model.
From a parent:
“My son would not be the young man he is
were it not for his Big Brother. His Big has
been a positive and steady influence in his
life since he was 8. This year he goes to
Middle School sure of himself and
confident of his abilities. I can’t say enough
about Big Brothers Big Sisters…it’s a
wonderful program!”
2013 at a Glance
Staff News:
Jessica Dolan: Jess started with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern
Maine in October of 2013 as the Site Based Program Specialist in
Cumberland County. She works with students grades 2 through 12 in
recruiting, matching and support.
Lydia Martzial: Lydia joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern
Maine team also in October as a Program Manager for York County.
She has been in the non-profit sector for over four years and became
a Licensed Social Worker in March of 2013. Lydia is highly motivated
to help make a difference in the lives of children, families, and
volunteers working with the agency, as she has always admired the
mission of BBBS.
Linda Nerbak: Due to a greater emphasis being placed on recruitment
and an anticipated increase in Big and Little applications we have
added extra hours for Enrollment Staff. Linda Nerbak, one of two parttime Enrollment Specialists has been with BBBS since 2011 and we’re
happy to have her here for more hours each week.
Susan Rowan: Sue started with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern
Maine in February 2011 as the York County Community Development
Director. Her position transitioned to full time during the summer of
2013. She now represents BBBS throughout southern Maine
increasing awareness, recruiting volunteers, grant writing and
managing fundraising events.
Board News:
We are also excited to welcome Kristy Abraham of Preti Flaherty
Law firm as our 2013/2014 Board President.
Kristy has been on our board of Directors
since 2007. Kristy has served on committees
for Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Bids for Kids, and
our Executive Committee. Kristy lives in
Kennebunk with her husband and their two
daughters. Kristy will be joined by both Chuck
Piacentini of Unum and Matt Chin of
Goodwill Industries as V.P. of the Board of
Directors, Ellen Niewoehner of TD Bank as
Treasurer and Karen Winslow of Wintergreen
Financial Group as Board Secretary.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
2013 Annual Report
Start Something
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Annual Giving 10/1/12 – 9/30/13
General Gifts
Rick & Deb Abbondanza
Kristy & Jeremy Abraham
Jean Allen
Peter & Lori Anastos
Leisa Archambault
Cynthia Arsenault
Sara Artinyan
Michael Auglis
JoAnne & Ross Babcock
Ryan Bailey
David Banks
Sam & Faith Beal
Robert Beckett
Rick Berne
Andrew Bernier
Dauna Binder
Carol Black
Jill & Bob Blackwood
Francine & Stephen Blattner
Alexander Boardman
Michele & Rodney Boucher
Jason Bourgo
Leonard & Susan Brennan
Cameron & Patty Bright
John Broomfield
Phillip Bunten
Michael Bunting
John Bursley
Tim & Kayla Cahill
Edward Caron
Donna Cassada
Gregory & Alison Caswell
Philip Cawley
Garrett & Jennifer Champlin
Bruce Chemeiski
Joanne Chessey
Vernan Childs
Matt & Julie Chin
Karen Churchill
Nathan Clark & Kathryn Burnham
Terry Coburn
Maddy Corson
Brad & Anita Coupe
Ann Courtney
Tammy Crawford
Janet & Bill Cross
Steve & Holly Culver
Benjamin Dailey
Scott Dakers
Douglas Darby
Charles Day
Robert & Gail DeRice
Walter & Judith Deskus
David Devine
Albert & Elizabeth Dibbins
Vicki Dillingham
John & Patricia DiMatteo
Sylvia Dion
James & Persephone Ditzel
Tom & Sheila Donaldson
Dennis Doyle
Caleb & Kimberly DuBois
Marty Duggan
Marc Dugas
Carl & Helga Dunbar
Pamela Duranceau
Donna Durkin
Greg & Laura Elder
Bill Elgee
David Ertz & Carol Ryan Ertz
Joseph Everett
Brendan & Bonnie Faherty
Rebecca & John Farnham
George Feinberg
Susan Feiner
Sean Ferguson
James Flaker
Kelly Fredricks
Scott Fredricks
Philip & Tatia Gagnon
Andrew & Barbee Gilman
Leon & Lisa Gorman
Nancy Goslin
Barbara Gould
Ralph & Hazel Gould
Bridget Grella
Francis Guthrie
Steve & Gail Guthrie
Arthur Hackett
Harry Hadiaris
Cyrus Hagge
Charles & Barbara Hahn
James & Collette Hamilton
Evan & Debra Hansen
Fritz Hansen
Joe & Miranda Hardy
Kate Harris
Sheila Harris
Dennis Hart
Adam & Casey Hartford
Edwin Heisler
Kimberly & Stephen Hendry
David & Jeanne Henry
Robert Hews
Tiffany Higgins
Morey Highbarger
James & Mary Highland
David & Rosemarie Hines
Jeff & Elizabeth Holmstrom
Mark & Donna Hopkins
D. Brock & Helaine Hornby
Debra Houle
Jessica Hubbard
Ben & Bronwyn Huffard
Susan Hunter
Kathryn Hussey
Ginger Jones
Brian Jumper
Charlie Katz-Leavy & Michelle Leavy
Amy Keating
James & Carla Keenan
Patrick Kelleher
Alex Kemp & Pam Boudreau Kemp
Eric & Dani Kolben
Harry Konkel
Kristen Kucera
Steve Kudlach
Ken Kunin
Amelia Kurtz
Christopher Lang
Marcia Leander
Chris & Trish Lefevre
Christopher Leighton & Lisa Morang-Leighton
Karen Levesque
Renee Lewis & Chris Penney
Adam & Brooke Libby
Paul Linet
Mary Linneman
Margaret Loheed
Arnie MacDonald
Thomas MacDonald
Fred & Trish Madeira
Jack & Jane Manheimer
Tina & Paul Martell
Joe & Cathy Martin
Timothy & Karen Mathis
Elizabeth Mazzurco
Bruce & Marcia McAfee
Ronald McCarthy & Ruth York-McCarthy
Jan McCormick
Jean McDevitt
Richard & Sue McGinley
Frank & Susan McGinty
Rick McKenney
Aaron McMorrow
John McQuillan
Kristen & Drew Miale
David Miley
Scott Miley
Elinor & Charles Miller
Lawrence & Karan Miller
Lisa & Roger Miller
Michael Miller
Matt & Karen Monaghan
Liza Moore
Jack & Alison Moore
Bruce & Barbara Morgan
Deborah Morneau
Amy Mulkerin & John Cimino
Jeffrey Newick
Pedro Nieves
Ellen Niewoehner
Randi O'Donnell
Katherine O'Grady
Mark & Sarah Oliver
Harold Otte
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
Our Supporters
John & Denise Palmer
Esther Pappas
Ronald Paquette
Darrell Pardy & Carolyn Hughes
Steve Parenteau
Adam & Deanne Parker
Stanley & Virginia Payson
Tod & Maureen Pepin
Elizabeth Perry-Smith
Charles & Kirsten Piacentini
Joseph & Tania Powers
Danny & Kathryn Pratt
Fred & Liz Prescott
Lucinda & Pam Pyne
George & Nichole Raftopoulos
Cindy Randall
Julie & Ken Ray
Peter & Beth Richardson
Dana & Lisa Ricker
Carmen & Maria Rinaldi
Bruce Roberts
Gary & Cathy Robinson
Scott Robinson
Christopher & Nova Rogers
Tom & Janet Ross
Rick & Tori Rosu-Myles
Richard Russell, III
Jessica Russell-Stevens
John Ryan & Jenny Scheu
Andreea Sabin
Randolph Sainthelmy
Tom & Ellie Saturley
Dennis & Diane Sbrega
Charles Scamman
Andrea Schmuck
Susan Schraf
William & Teresa Schulz
Anthony Schwieterman
Donna Senkbell
William Shane
Daniel Sharp
Barry Sheff
Mickey & Deidre Sileo
Terrance & Erlene Skillin
Brandi Sladek
Margaret Spann
Amy Spooner
Beth Stickney
Penelope St. Louis
Kristen Stewart
Ralph & Barbara Struzziero
Drew Swenson & Deb Napolitano
Faith Sykes
Monica Tate
Matthew & Megan Tardiff
Ken & Tammy Thomas
Mitchell Clyde Thomas
Mike Tolley & Gretchen Petrone
Judith True
Kevin Turner
David Van Slyke
Linda Varrell
Richard Verre
Paul Visich
Judith Wallingford
Bruce & Kathy Ward
Ray & Lou Ann White
Jean Whitney
William Wildes
John & Karen Winslow
Sam & Anne Woodbury
Bryan Yates
Craig Young
John Zimmermann
Patty Zub
*BBBS depends 100% on individual,
corporate and foundation gifts to fulfill its
important mission. We are grateful for the
tremendous support received this year.
While we would have liked to publish
every donor name, we decided to print
annual donors here. The entire list of
donors, including a large number of event
donors including sponsors and
participants, can be viewed online at
www.somebigs.org.
Foundations
Bopp Family Charitable Trust
Darden Restaurant Foundation
John T. Gorman Foundation
People's United Bank Community Foundation
Sam L. Cohen Foundation
Unity Foundation
Edwin S. Webster Foundation
Town & Country FCU
Virginia Somers Foundation
Miley Family Foundation
Struzziero Family Foundation
Corporate
Atlantic Sportswear
Bank of America
Connectivity Point
Cunningham Security
Disability RMS
Diversified Communications
Female Samaritan Association
Flatbread Co.
Gray/New Gloucester Lions
Hannaford
Investment Fund
Kennebunk Savings Bank
Liberty Mutual
Margarita's (MVP, Inc.)
Martins Point Health Care
Michaud Distributors
Moody's Collision Centers
Northern New England Housing
Norway Savings
Oscar Pizza, LLC
Patco Construction
Portland & Rochester
Portland Models & Talent LLC
Pro Search
Spectrum Enterprises
Stone Coast Fund Services LLC
TD Bank
USI Insurance Services, LLC
Cheers to Peter Richardson of RM
Davis. Board President 2011-2013
Long-time board member and former
treasurer, Peter has stepped down
from his two year leadership term
where he has led BBBSSM in a strategic
planning process and in integrating
board and staff to more effectively
serve youth. He will now be leading a
development effort to solidify the
agency’s future. We are grateful for all
the effort he’s put in and his continued
commitment to kids.
New Members to the Board of
Directors - November 2014
Jim Baron- Senior IT Manager, Idexx
Phil Gagnon- Risk Officer, Key Bank
Tracy Rogers- Financial Planner, IMCG
Michael Royer- Accountant/Partner,
Berry Talbot & Royer
Alison Schmidt- V. P. Business
Development, PowerPay
Jean Whitney- V.P. Training, TD Bank
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
Ongoing Initiatives
From a Big:
“When I signed up to be a Big Sister, I had so many visions of what
it would be like...It was something I had been wanted to do for
almost ten years. And when I did sign up and was waiting for a
match, I remember how nervous I was. Would a year commitment
seem long? Would I be able to relate to someone who was 13?
Would she even like me?
Now I honestly think I would be bored if I only got to hang out
with people my own age, and any concern about us liking each
other is hard to imagine. My Little Sister has become as much a
friend as anyone else in my life, and she brings unbridled
enthusiasm and new perspective to things I sometimes take for
granted...like watching the Casco Bay Bridge go up, peeling
apples, or anything that comes in a miniature size.
We have been matched for just over a year, and it's been one of
the best of my life. It's been said so many times that the more you
give, the more you get, and it's true...one of the best gifts I've
ever received was a tiny little box with a letter inside, thanking
me for being her Big Sister!”
Our Corporate Partners:
Although financial challenges in this economy
continue to affect us, we’re very grateful for
incredibly generous community in Southern Maine
on which we totally rely for our work providing
mentors to 500 youth this past year. We thank all
of our individual and corporate donors and
volunteers but especially we are grateful to our
major corporate partners, Hannaford, TD Bank,
UNUM, PowerPay, and Winxnet , as well as the
United Ways of Greater Portland and York County
for their commitment. Our board, advisory board,
and staff, worked closely this year involving short
and long term strategies to address both program
and budget needs,, and we are looking forward to a
productive year. We have a great new brochure,
thanks to Kemp Goldberg and new volunteer
recruitment efforts that are already producing
results. Cheers to all for the upcoming holidays and
a bright New Year!
Sam Beal
Kristy Abraham
Executive Director
Board President
Providing for the Future
To help ensure that Big Brothers Big Sisters will
always be here for kids, please consider
remembering the agency in you will or other
planned giving instrument. The following
language should be used:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to:
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Southern Maine
195 Lancaster Street
Portland, Maine 04101
The sum of _______ to be used for the general
purposes of the organization.”
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27%
46%
52%
Less likely to begin
using alcohol
Less likely to
begin using
drugs
Less likely to skip
school
Our Mission: To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one
relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
Start Something