November 10, 2022

Dates to Remember

November 18: Project 10Million Contest Deadline

November 18: Deadline to register for the Macy's "Coffee Talk"

November 22: Deadline to submit nominations for "Macy's Best Mentor"

November 30: "The Basics of Youth Voice" session

Get Involved! Macy's Partnership Activations

Applications are OPEN for Macy's "Coffee Talk" Micro-Mentoring Opportunity and for Macy's Best Mentor!

"Coffee Talk" Registration

We are excited to announce the launch of “Coffee Talk,” a micro-mentoring opportunity for BBBS Littles, ages 18+, to be randomly matched with a Macy’s colleague for a 30-minute virtual one-on-one career mentoring session. Discussion guides will be provided, and each matched Little, along with their Big and/or match specialist and a Macy’s colleague, will independently find a mutually agreed upon date, time, and platform to connect. Registration to participate will be open to the first 50 eligible Littles across the network. Registration is now open and will close November 18, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST, or once all 50 spots are filled. Random matches will be shared through the Coffee Talk platform on November 19th. All mentorship sessions must take place between November 19th and December 24th.

You can find the registration link on BBBS Connect.

Macy's Best Mentor

If a current BBBS colleague has mentored you and that investment made an impact on your day, your work, and/or your life, then we want to hear about it! All forms of mentorship (one-time, ongoing, formal, informal, group, 1:1, etc.) between current BBBS colleagues can be submitted for recognition.

BBBS recognition offerings for the top mentor & mentee:

✓ $1,000 scholarship to the agency of the winner for 2023 National Conference attendance and free registration ($400 value) for both the top mentor and mentee

✓ Participation in a national content capture (crew to video their story to share across the network)

✓ Special recognition during the National Corporate Partnerships Webinar

✓ BBBS swag prize pack

✓ Recognition as Macy’s Best Mentor (email signature, LinkedIn badge)

Nominations are open and will close on November 22, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST.

Submit a nomination now!

Questions? Please reach out to macys@bbbsa.org.

Media Highlights

BBBS Littles Design Custom Footwear With The Shoe Surgeon

On November 9, the NFL held a launch event in New York City as part of a new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) and pioneering shoe customizer Dominic Ciambrone, also known as "The Shoe Surgeon." National Little of the Year Lucian, from BBBS of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, and BBBS of New York City Littles designed custom footwear at the SRGN Academy clinic. BBBSA President and CEO Artis Stevens, Tim Ellis, BBBSA board member, NFL EVP, and Chief Marketing Officer, and Soloman Thomas, New York Jets player, were also in attendance.

This event is part of a monthly series of SRGN Academy clinics in partnership with BBBSA and through the Inspire Change social justice initiative where Bigs and Littles in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City have the opportunity to transform a blank cleat canvas into a work of art. 

BBBSA Appoints Four New Executives to the National Board 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has announced the election of four new Board members, including Betsy Burdick, Founder and President of Momentors, Inc., Tim Ellis, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the National Football League (NFL), Nicole Peterson, Vice President, Global Planning & Analysis of UPS, and Kathy Shields, Founder and Chairperson of the Jack and Kathy Family Foundation. Together, these individuals bring unmatched levels of expertise and unique leadership skills that will help increase equity, impact, and growth across BBBSA to make a lasting impact on both young people and mentors throughout the organization.

These appointments will join current BBBSA Board members, including executives from Fortune 500 companies such as PepsiCo Beverages North America, iHeartRadio, and Centene Corporation.

ICYMI: Vox Media Interviews BBBSA CEO Artis Stevens About Mentorship

In a recent article published by Vox Media, Vox journalist Alex Hazlett interviewed BBBSA President and CEO Artis Stevens to discuss the benefits of mentorship. In addition to the interview with Artis, the article also highlights a discussion with Big Jason, who talks about his relationship with his Little and the positive influence his Little has had on his life.

Click HERE to read the full article!

National Conference

Now Open: 2023 BBBSA National Conference Call for Presentations

We are now accepting workshop proposals for the 2023 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Conference in Anaheim, California! The dates of the conference are June 26-29^th, 2023. Please visit the Call for Presentations portal here to submit a workshop proposal and learn more about being a speaker. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is Friday, January 20^th, 2023. Registration for the conference will launch in the spring.

For any questions, please contact Marisa Gaggi, Conference and Events Manager, at Marisa.Gaggi@bbbsa.org. Please visit the conference website for more announcements about the 2023 BBBSA National Conference in the coming months.

Agency Support

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding Survey 

HUD recently issued guidance around how localities could use CDBG funding to mitigate and reduce community violence, including by supporting and engaging youth. As BBBSA works to explore HUD’s interest in using CDBG funding for community violence intervention initiatives, this survey will help inform how we can further leverage this funding across the network. Thank you very much for your time and support. 

Training

Leveraging Youth Voice to Enhance the Mentoring Experience

The Basics of Youth Voice (1 hour) (November 30th, 2022, 3 pm Eastern)

In this intro session, participants learn about the practical, actual good things all young people can contribute to everyday activities for BBBS.

Youth Voice in Action (1 hour) (January 25th, 2023, 3 pm Eastern)

This session explores how young people are actually helping, building, and transforming their own lives, their communities, and the world with Youth voice.

Register in advance for these meetings HERE! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Perfect Match

Big Sister Khari from BBBS Mercer is a TCNJ Psychology student who wants to be a school counselor. Khari wanted to volunteer when she was a Lawrence High student, but she was always too busy with other activities. She kept BBBS on her radar and applied to be a Big once she enrolled in college. As it turns out, Little Sister Shawne’s 4th grade teacher was also Khari’s teacher when she attended Lawrence Intermediate. Big and Little hit it off right away! 

Email stories@bbbsa.org to share how Bigs and Littles are creating lasting memories in your community.

There are job opportunities available at the National Office. Please visit our Careers page to learn more about the following opportunities:

• Manager, Government Relations
• Director, Human Resources
• IT Support Specialist