Welcome, spring!
While we’re still waiting for things outside to blossom, programs and activities with BBBSWM are already in full bloom!
Last month, we talked about two new programs. And now, we have yet another! This is thanks to a strong partnership that created a unique program that could become a model for BBBS programs of its kind all around the country.
In other news, it’s time to register for this year’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake! See below for more information on locations, dates, and the link to sign yourself up.
As always, thank you so much to our donors, grantmakers, Bigs, Littles, parents/guardians, event participants, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and staff! We just couldn’t do all this great work without you.
Warm regards,
David Beturne, CEO
MATCH PROFILE
In Their Own Words
Karen
“Julia and I were matched 9 years ago by Lydia. In that time a lot has changed. I’ve had 2 kids and moved to a new town. Julia went from an energetic 3rd grader to a now 17-year-old articulate, motivated high school senior. She has worked hard as track athlete, honor roll student, and future chef with culinary training.
With all of those changes, our chosen activities and conversations have shifted through the years, but our connection continues to grow, and I’m constantly reminded how much we have enriched each other’s lives.
I am so honored to be able to see Julia take on young adulthood and none of this would be possible without the support Big Brothers Big Sisters has shown us over the years.”
Julia
“My match with Karen has been an experience that I’ll never forget. She’s been my favorite person to hang out with, and my bond with her is a bond that can never be broken. She’s a person who I love as family.”
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Throughout the years, Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) has played a major role in advocating for mentoring programs through the entire state. Thanks to them, the line item for mentoring has endured, and we receive a great deal of financial support through this funding.
MMP invests in the support young people need by providing the tools adults require in order to truly show up for youth in a caring and consistent way by bringing research to practice and theory to action.
For organizations, they provide tools, research, training, and best practices needed to help increase the capacity and quality of mentoring programs and youth-serving organizations across the state.
Thank you so much for your advocacy, help, and support!
YOUTH MENTORING DAY
Youth Mentoring Day, held annually in March and organized by Mass Mentoring Partnership, is an event that brings nearly 250 legislators, youth-serving programs, and young people to the Massachusetts State House.
Once again, this year we sent several matches and staff/volunteers to the event in support. Youth were able to participate and learn more about how advocacy works.
It’s a unique opportunity for youth to meet their legislators and learn more about the lawmaking process. In addition, it is also the perfect moment for youth to truly make the case for mentoring. By bravely using themselves as an example of what mentoring can do, our youth show legislators firsthand why these services must remain a funding priority.
BIRTHDAY CHEER
We’ve got lots of birthdays to celebrate this month! If you see or chat with these folks, be sure to wish them a happy birthday:
March 6
Chris Thompson, Chief Growth Officer
March 13
Sylvia Rataj, Case Manager
March 14
Noah Pfeiffer, Program & Marketing Coordinator
March 26
Jessica Hubbard, Match Support Specialist
BERKSHIRE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
More great progress in connecting with our lawmakers! Recently, we had a chance to chat with some representatives from Berkshire County to further discuss the power and the value of mentoring.
Special thanks to:
Representative John Barrett
Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier
Representative Leigh Davis
STAFF ANNIVERSARY
Jessica Hubbard
Match Support Specialist
For 4 years, Jessica has been a key member of the BBBS team! Despite the fact that she remotes in from way out west, we still think of her as a local! Maybe it’s her super kind personality and willingness to always jump in and help out. Or maybe it’s her passion for all things BBBS. In any event, we’re so lucky to have her!
“Despite the distance, Jessica is an integral part of our agency’s success. We’re lucky to have her and hope one day soon we can get her to visit us in Western Mass!”
~ David Beturne, CEO
NEW PROGRAMS
In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the MassMutual Foundation, we’re proud and excited to pilot a virtual mentoring program, TEEM (Technology Enhanced E Mentoring), serving high-school-aged youth in Berkshire County.
This unique program matches MassMutual Bigs with Littles from Mt. Everett Regional School in Sheffield. It truly is an amazing solution to the challenge of ensuring our rural youth receive the empowerment they need and deserve. In the future we hope to expand this program to other rural areas.
Thank you so much to our program partners for making this a reality!
TIME FOR BFKS!
Dust off those bowling shows! Or, you can just use the ones at the bowling center…
Either way, we look forward to seeing you there.
As always, we’re rounding up teams of 5 or more bowlers to raises pledges for program services right here in western MA. We ask that each bowler raise at least $100.
With our online system, reaching $100 couldn’t be easier! Click here for more information and to sign up (or to donate!).
On bowling day, we’ll provide the shoes, the lanes, the pizza, and the soda. All you have to do is hang out with your team and have a blast!
Saturday, 4/19
10 am to Noon
K&M Bowling
Pittsfield, MA
Saturday, 4/26
10 am to Noon
Shaker Bowl
East Longmeadow, MA
Saturday, 5/3
10 am to Noon
French King Bowling Center Erving, MA
STAFF PROFILE
Justin Marsh
Case Manager
What is your role at BBBS?
I am a case manager at BBBS. That means I interview volunteers, potential Littles, and their parents, to help make the best mentorship matches possible. After a match has been made, I check in with all concerned to see how they’re doing. I have been at BBBS for almost three and a half years now.
What inspired you to get involved with BBBS?
I wanted to work at BBBS because I believed that the program could help kids who were like me at that age. I was a little lost and could have used another voice for friendship and guidance. I knew of BBBS at the time but didn’t know how to become involved. For this reason, it’s a joy to connect kids who are looking for support, caring, and something fun to do with volunteers who are looking to provide just that. I’ve seen the program work time and time again – for the Little, the Big, and the parents. It’s a win-win. So being involved with it in any way is grace. And it’s a wonderful group of people to work with on a day-to-day basis.
What do you love most about the western MA community?
One thing that I love about the Western Mass community is that you become friends with people from so many different cultures and backgrounds and hang out in many different environments – urban, rural, suburban, college town. And these all co-exist and interact with each other daily; this makes it interesting. It means you’re always growing. So if you’re looking for something, it’s usually not hard to find it in Western Mass. This goes for people, or knowledge, or whatever you’re hoping to find. Often you just need to ask and someone will point you in the right direction. There is a sincerity in Western Mass that is pretty rare.
What are some of your hobbies and things you like doing in your free time?
In addition to being a case manager at BBBS, I’m also a licensed therapist. These days I spend a lot of time doing that. Truly I would not be a licensed therapist if it wasn’t for BBBS working with me and believing in me as I pursued my master’s. Currently I’m working on a Master’s of Health Administration degree so that hopefully I can help improve the system someday. In my free time I love fitness; and also watching anything with characters who look like they’re at a Renaissance Fair. “Winter is coming.”
NEW MATCHES
Big Stephanie P & Little Maryn S
Big Nicole D & Little Sabree R
Big Colin M & Little Jasper B
Big Travis M & Little Matthew G
Big Bria B & Little Ni’jah M
