2017 FISCAL REPORT 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report | 1 "There Deji was..." Why the need for BBBSPGH? “It feels awesome to have a Big Brother because my father growth did not compromise excellence. We enhanced our wasn’t really there for me. My mom said, ‘Let’s get signed up training to our Bigs so they are better prepared to mentor their Mentors help youth overcome adversity to become productive members of our society— on something.' She looked this up, and there Deji was.” Littles. high school graduates, educated and trained workers, and good, honest community members. “There Deji was.” The Pennsylvania Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year Big Brother Deji and Little Brother Jordan have been are from our Pittsburgh agency. In November, we held our matched for two years. We asked Jordan and Deji to appear on first Match Maker Breakfast, adding an additional 40 donors the KDKA morning show “Pittsburgh Today Live” and they both to our individual giving program. We started a Campus-Based eagerly agreed to the opportunity to talk about BBBS and their Mentoring Program with University of Pittsburgh students on relationship. It can be risky to put a child on live television; just Saturday mornings. Children from the Rankin Christian Center like in “real life,” kids often say the darndest things. However, are transported to Pitt, and each child is assigned a mentor. unscripted, Jordan summed up his experience in these three Many of the mentors are first-generation college students simple words—”there Deji was.” proving to their Little that with perseverance and support, they Although Deji seemed to appear before Jordan like magic, a too can attend a college of their choice. lot goes into preparing a Big Brother or Big Sister to “be there” But the true signs of our success lie in the stories of for a Little: recruiting, screening, interviewing, clearances, individual matches, like Deji and Jordan. references, training, home visits, and finally making the match, We are grateful to our board, staff, volunteers, families, which is then professionally supported for the duration of the and donors for helping us change lives in this way. So much relationship. has been accomplished with your assistance and crucial This past year, we launched a new marketing campaign— support. We thank you for entrusting us with the privilege and Big is Big—to help recruit mentors. We served a record 1,483 responsibility of such significant and essential work. children, which created a significant demand for Bigs. We were one of only 36 agencies throughout the Big Brothers Big Sisters network to receive the Quality Award. Our staff, board, and budget have increased but this award validates that our Jan S. Glick, MS JJ Richardson CEO President, Board of Directors Our Mission Our Accountability Provide children facing adversity with strong We partner with parents, guardians, volunteers, and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one and others in the community and hold ourselves relationships that change their lives for the better, accountable for each child in our program achieving: forever. • Higher aspirations, greater confidence, and better relationships Our Vision • Avoidance of risky behaviors • Educational success All children achieve success in life. 1 | 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report Why the need for BBBSPGH? Mentors help youth overcome adversity to become productive members of our society— high school graduates, educated and trained workers, and good, honest community members. 711 80,000 Juveniles were arrested Students dropped out of Estimated number last year across school last year across of workers that Allegheny, Greene, and Allegheny, Greene, and Pittsburgh will be Washington Counties Washington Counties short in 2025 *3 *1 *2 A nestment Suorts PARENT/GUARDIAN PROGRAM STAFF support BIG & LITTLE support in a successful match utcome Areas 86% 57% 66% 87% of youth reported disapproval of youth earned above of youth developed increased of youth reported high of risky behaviors average grades in school feelings of social support educational expectations 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report | 2 *PA Dept. of Education, 2015-2016 *Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 2016 *Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, 2016 VINNY LOST HIS FATHER AT AGE 9 3 | 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM A significant loss in their past brought them together, but their focus is on the future. FOCUSING VINNY & JOHN ON THE FUTURE WERE MATCHED IN 2014 This match story began more than 40 years ago, From the beginning, the relationship between John and when John’s father died when he was 7 years old. Vinny was relaxed and easygoing. They quickly felt Seeking a father figure for John, his mother found a bond over their similar past and they also realized him a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters. He that their families are originally from the same village was matched with Jim, and to this day, talks about in Italy! the bond they formed and his fond memories of their relationship. While John and Vinny do a lot of ordinary things together—playing basketball at the YMCA, visiting John recognized the powerful impact of mentoring, a local park, and attending BBBS events—their and as an adult, he decided to provide a similar relationship is anything but ordinary. A significant loss experience to a young boy who also lost his father. In in their past brought them together, but their focus is 2014, John was matched with 8-year-old Vinny, whose on the future. Someday, Vinny hopes to pay it forward. father had passed away several years beforehand. Vinny’s mom was looking for what John’s mother had sought for her young son—a male role model who would offer friendship, support, and guidance. 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report | 4 DINASIA'S GRADES & BEHAVIOR IMPROVED MATCHED IN CONVERTED TO SITE-BASED PROGRAM COMMUNITY-BASED IN 2014 PROGRAM IN 2017 5 | 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report SITE-BASED PROGRAM Relationships take time to grow and develop. Alicia & Dinasia learned this over the course of three years. Relationships take time to grow and develop. Alicia that their relationship would continue to thrive when and Dinasia learned this over the course of three Dinasia expressed missing her when the program years by participating in the Site-Based Program. was cancelled one day for school testing. Dinasia’s mother reported that her daughter was beginning to A talkative and outgoing girl, Dinasia is the youngest work harder to control her behavior and improve her of four children. She was chosen by her teachers to grades. participate in the BBBS mentoring program at the start of sixth grade. Dinasia struggled in school with After two years in the program, Alicia and Dinasia her behavior, often getting in trouble with teachers decided to become “Site-Based Plus,” allowing and students. Alicia, an experienced youth worker, them to spend time together outside of the school in was familiar with the program and decided to the community. This strengthened their relationship volunteer her time as a friend and role model. even more, as they planned outings together and had time outside the confines of a school environment. Alicia and Dinasia spent time together each week during the school year. At first, their conversations In June, Alicia was proud to attend Dinasia’s eighth were difficult and Alicia questioned if she could gain grade graduation and share in her success. High Dinasia’s trust. Programming at her school is during school will be a big change. Nevertheless, their bond lunch, so Alicia began to bring a yogurt for Dinasia. is strong, and as the match continues on through the That simple act became a turning point for the match, Community-Based Program, Dinasia knows Alicia signifying something special that Alicia consistently will be her mentor for years to come. did for her. They started to talk more in-depth about school, family, sports, and music. Alicia began to see Dinasia mature socially and emotionally. It became obvious 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report | 6 DISCOVERED THEY HAVE A LOT MASIYAH ENROLLED IN COMMON IN MENTOR2.0 IN 2016 7 | 2017 BBBSPGH Fiscal Report MENTOR2.0 PROGRAM Masiyah knew that she wanted to go to college, but she was not sure where or how to get there. FOCUSING ON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION Masiyah started her freshman year at Pittsburgh relationship grew stronger. Masiyah proudly gave Brashear, one of the largest high schools in the Endia a tour around her classrooms at Pittsburgh city school district. Understandably, she felt a little Brashear. They communicated regularly through overwhelmed. She enjoyed poetry and literature, mentor2.0 program’s secure online platform about but needed help to focus in her math and Spanish topics that will help Masiyah graduate from high classes. Masiyah knew that she eventually wanted to school—topics like grit, resilience, self-advocacy, attend college, but was unsure about where or the and teamwork. process of how to get there. mentor2.0 has helped Masiyah complete summer A month into the school year, Masiyah enrolled in the job applications and obtain a work permit through mentor2.0 program and was matched with Endia. a program-organized field trip. Both Masiyah and An attorney born in Pittsburgh, Endia previously Endia look forward to continuing their relationship as volunteered in another youth program and was Masiyah enters tenth grade; they’ve even discussed excited to mentor a high school student, especially converting to a “mentor2.0 Plus” match so they someone who shared her love of reading. can see each other outside of the school. Masiyah is comforted by the thought that Endia will be her Masiyah and Endia were comfortable together from the mentor and friend throughout her remaining high start, finding more in common than just their passion school years.