2009 Annual Report

The VISION of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and Our Vision strong communities for all. The MISSION of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is to help children reach their potential through professionally Mission & supported mentoring relationships. Dear Friends, When I founded the program as a university student in 1971, It’s the letter from a former Little who can look back at a difficult I had hoped, but never imagined that over 35 years later childhood and remember someone who gave them a few hours this small program would grow into the premier mentoring a week to just be a kid, it’s the youth who stays in school because organization in WNY. they have someone who believes they can do it, the child that is inspired to use his talents to write, sing or help others, or the It’s inspiring to know that there are so many individuals who teenage girl or boy that says no to a risky behavior because they share and support the vision that we can make a difference have a strong sense of self worth. for our youth by creating opportunities that lead to brighter futures and a better community. Through the countless stories told by Bigs & Littles and the success we see through our outcome-based evaluations, the Our Big Brothers and Big Sisters share all sorts of simple, true impact of our work has been validated. We are helping everyday moments with the youth they mentor...playing our youth reach their potential and thus, providing brighter board games, singing in the car, taking their Little to play futures and hope for a better community. We owe a great deal mini-golf or visit an art museum for the first time. As you’ll of gratitude to our donors and supporters who help us make read in this report, there are thousands of these simple, possible the relationships that create those small, yet ever everyday experiences between our Bigs & Littles. However, important and powerful experiences, that change lives! it’s the power that these moments create that is so inspiring. With Gratitude, Robert F. Moss Founder & C.E.O. 2009 board of directors David T. Hore, President Rich Jureller PCB Group, Inc. Buffalo Sabres Kevin Paris, Vice President Joseph Marusak ProScan Imaging Paul William Beltz, PC Vincent F. Mitchell, Treasurer Mark McNamara V.F. Mitchell Agency Hiscock & Barclay Marie McCrea, Secretary Brain Murphy David’s Bridal Lawley Benefits Group Mark Ferm Alan S. Korman Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc Christopher Hill Gust Pullman Buffalo Bisons Damon Morey LLP Edward Jackson David Resetarits Community Action Organization Resetarits Construction of Erie County Corporation Kenneth A. Richmond Erie County Medical Center Dear Benefactor, 2009 President’s Council On behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County’s Board of Directors, it is my great honor to present our agency’s first Annual Report. Throughout this publication we provide The President’s Council represents supporters of Big you with brief stories regarding our Bigs and Littles, summaries of major fundraisers, Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County who have made a descriptions of agency activities and our 2009 fiscal report. This report also allows us personal or organizational commitment or have secured the opportunity to formally recognize our individual and corporate donors. Simply put, annual contributions of $5,000+. This prestigious group without their contributions our important work would not be possible. has made an investment in the belief that all children should be given the chance to succeed, and through the 2009 was a tremendously rewarding year for our agency. Despite the harsh economic power of mentoring, they will! conditions that existed during 2009, our agency managed to successfully run our first ever Gala, sell-out our third consecutive golf outing, dramatically increase individual giving An anonymous donor Amherst Community Foundation and end the year with our strongest balance sheet ever. Much of the credit for those Amherst Diamond Exchange accomplishments must be given to a very hard working and dedicated Board of Directors Bank of America Charitable Foundation and Development Department. The balance of the credit must once again be given to BlueCross BlueShield of WNY you, our benefactors, who have consistently come through for our agency. Thank you! Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation Buffalo Bisons, Inc. During my nearly twenty years of involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, Buffalo Sabres Foundation I am continually amazed by the willingness of others to give of their time and resources. Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Therefore, I would be remiss if I did not mention and thank the many devoted Big Brothers First Niagara Bank Foundation and Big Sisters that give so generously of their most valuable possession – their time. General Mills Foundation David & Shari Hore My heart is deeply touched every time I personally witness Big and Little relationships KeyBank Foundation at work. Whether it’s a high five, or a pat on the back, or a verbal “great job” or any of Josephine Goodyear Foundation another “million” verbal positive reinforcements, I can see the impact on that child, who Mr. Alan Korman & Dr. Karmen Jensen so desperately is looking for validation of their importance in this world. The brief stories Lamar Advertising of Bigs and Littles that are highlighted in this report will hopefully give each of you that M&T Charitable Foundation same great feeling by demonstrating the power of mentoring and the positive impact Vincent & Lisa Mitchell that it can have on the life of a child.And please remember that your generosity made it Robert & De Moss all possible. Brian & Laura Murphy National Grid Kevin & Nora Paris Your continued support will help us strive to realize our goal of providing a successful Parkview Health Services mentoring relationship for every child in need - contributing to better schools, brighter PCB Piezotronics, Inc. futures and stronger communities for all of us. Mr. Gust Pullman Resetarits Construction Kenneth & Lyne Richmond With Deepest Gratitude, The Buffalo Sabres Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation Try-it Distributing, Inc. United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Upstate Pharmacy, LTD Mr. Thomas Vanek David Hore WGR-550 / Entercom Board President WGRZ - TV Channel 2 Community-Based Mentoring Program The relationships built in the Community-Based Mentoring 2009 Program Highlights Program are all about one-on-one time spent between the volunteer and the youth doing things they enjoy like going to ball • 562 children participated in this program throughout the year games, fishing, making crafts, visiting local attractions or baking cookies. It is also about the time spent listening to stories about • 94% of the matches lasted longer than six-months the Little’s day and providing guidance with schoolwork and “life- situations” they might be facing. • 87% of matches lasted longer than twelve-months The schedule is flexible to meet the needs of busy Bigs and Littles. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekend or in the evening. And in the most recent evaluation conducted by the program: Others get together with their Littles after school. Everyone can find a way to fit in a few hours a month! • 91.2% of clients were not truant from school during their involvement with the program Prior to a Big & Little match meeting, the agency will assign an agency professional to work closely with the volunteer, the child • 80.2% of clients were not suspended from school during their and their family to assure everyone gets the most they can out involvement with the program of the relationship. Once the match is underway, a case manager will maintain regular contact with everyone involved to help • 88.3% of clients showed improvement in their ability to express the relationship along, keep the volunteer up to date on agency their feelings through discussions events and to provide any additional support or consultation. “During one of my match support calls, Big Sister Amy was very excited to me tell me about all the fun activities she and her Little Brother had been participating in together. They had started to make a match scrapbook to document all of the memories they had made. Amy bragged about her Little’s accomplishments and school performance. Just recently he had been picked to choose from the prize chest due to his excellent behavior and academic performance. However, Amy was most excited to tell me about a call she had gotten from her Little. Her Little had called her with “a very important question” to ask. Startled by the seriousness in his voice and the endless possibilities about what the question to follow would be pertaining to, Amy became very intrigued and serious about the conversation. He told her that he had put a lot of time and thought into his question. He had even spoken with his grandmother about it and had gotten her approval to ask the question. By then, Amy was bursting with anticipation, and he finally asked his important question. “Would it be okay if I call your mom and dad Grandma and Papa?” Immediately Amy was relieved and very touched by the question. She told him that it would be just fine for him to call them Grandma and Papa, as long as he and his family were comfortable with it. The next day, I had an opportunity to speak with him about his relationship with his Big Sister Amy. told me that he looked forward to seeing her and he always had fun on their outings.

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