Black History Month

Discover the J.E.D.I. Way - Black History Month Picks

Discover the J.E.D.I. Way today and learn about important topics related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. With content curated in 3 formats - Watch. Read. Listen. - you can find what suits your learning style best and raise awareness about these vital topics. This month, we're focused on Black History, so don't miss out!

Government Relations

Tomorrow, February 2 is the

LAST DAY TO REGISTER for Capitol Hill Day!

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our first distinguished Capitol Hill Day on Wednesday, February 28, in Washington, D.C. If you haven’t registered to attend, there’s still time. The deadline to register is tomorrow, February 2. This policy conference offers the opportunity for all of us to learn about our federal policy priorities, strengthen our connections with members of Congress, and showcase our mentoring expertise as an organization. 

The event also gives you an opportunity to hear from notable federal policymakers. We are excited to share that Liz Ryan, Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), will speak during the breakfast to discuss the office’s 2024 agenda and the role mentorship plays in helping to address youth violence and victimization.

Click below to view the full agenda and register!  

Program & Impact

Update: TLE Reprovisioning for Matchforce Records Stuck in "Activating"

The Account status field for records stuck in "Activating" prior to January 20 has been reset to blank. Reprovisioning of these records began on January 22, although some records have already been updated manually by staff. Reprovisioning will continue until February 6, in phases.

Once the process is complete, your agency Super User will be notified with a list of impacted contacts. This will allow the opportunity to check the status of the provisioning or to review the associated error for each record.

If you missed the release notes, you can log in to Matchforce to review the most recent update, including the PDF attachment for more guidance specific to the new error messages and next steps.

For questions, please have your agency Super User submit a case.

The Big Draft

The Deadline for the Inaugural BBBS Flag Football Contest Is Now Extended to February 9!

You now have until 8 p.m. EST on February 9 to apply for our flag football contest, with winners announced on February 19. This initiative is a fantastic opportunity for potential mentors to meet waitlisted youth and for agencies to involve community partners and sponsors in their mission. To support this, the National Office will equip up to ten agencies with BBBS flag football gear worth approximately $1,000 for hosting local games between March 15 and April 30. Agencies receiving this gear will gain national recognition through our Inspire Change initiative, "The Big Draft".

Further information and guidance on organizing and playing flag football, as well as forming digital and local media partnerships, will be provided in upcoming webinars scheduled for March 4 and March 11.

I.T.

Your Insights Matter: Technology Adoption Assessment

As a part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen collaboration and innovation between agencies and the National Office, we are partnering with the Nationwide Leadership Council (NLC) Technology Committee to conduct an assessment to identify commonly used tools and technology across the federation. Your insights play a key role in our efforts to scale our national technology partnerships, strategize on technology plans, and tailor educational tools and resources to meet the needs of the network.   

Please take the short assessment to tell us about the tools you use to complete various aspects of your work. It should take less than 10 minutes of your time. The assessment will remain open until Friday, February 16. 

Matchforce Fundraising

Check Out the New Matchforce Fundraising Website!

The Matchforce Fundraising website has been revised to focus on keeping BBBS agencies up to date with the ever-evolving capabilities of Matchforce Fundraising. The revised website provides an updated overview of the benefits of using Matchforce Fundraising along with testimonials from BBBS agency leaders and staff currently using the system and frequently asked questions about migrating to and using Matchforce Fundraising.

Check out the new website and come back often, as BBBSA routinely adds content to the site over the coming weeks and months!

Please note - The Matchforce Fundraising training and support materials that were previously housed on the Matchforce Fundraising website can now be found on our BBBS Connect page. For questions, contact [email protected].

Big Dreams Take Flight

Last week, eight extraordinary matches from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure at LAX, where they had the incredible opportunity to witness the historic arrival of Vice President Kamala Harris. From heartwarming high-fives to precious baby cuddles, our matches created unforgettable memories while connecting with a remarkable leader. The White House experience was not just a momentous occasion but a chance for these young individuals to be inspired by the presence of Vice President Harris and to cherish the impact of their encounters for years to come.

The following articles will redirect you to BBBS Connect and can be accessed using your @bbbs.org account.

A Full Circle Moment

Dave signed up to be a Big at BBBS Greater Cincinnati because he “came to the realization (that) I wanted to give time to causes other than myself.” Bill (Little) stated, “Dave introduced me to a world I didn’t know existed. My family was on welfare, lots of families in the neighborhood were too. I just remember my mom being in the house smoking and not working, and that’s what I knew.” But he states, “In Dave’s world, people went to work, they were productive members of society, they were kind, they paid taxes. He was a great influence on me just by example. He never had an angle like the people in my neighborhood. He just showed up and hung out with me.”

Bill now works for UPS. A few years ago, Bill was delivering a package to “David Foster” at an accounting firm in Madeira. “What are the chances?” he thought. After a few questions, he confirmed with the receptionist that he had been delivering to his Big! They reconnected, got to know one another as adults, and Bill got the chance to tell Dave how his presence and willingness to spend time with childhood Bill laid the foundation for the rest of his life.  

Have a match story you want to share? Email [email protected] to show how Bigs and Littles are creating lasting memories in your community!

Join Our Team!

The following job opportunities are available at the National Office:

• Director, IT Operations
• Director, Agency Service and Resource Development Support

Network News Whenever You Need It!

Locate previously shared announcements and useful information without digging through your inbox. Prior issues of the newsletter are now available on BBBS Connect.