June 2022
Hello Friend!
Young people need mentoring now more than ever. Over the last two years, they’ve been faced with new challenges and new anxieties. They’ve experienced a global pandemic, isolation, uncertainties with school, and division in our community and on a national scale.
Our program builds connections and creates unity. It provides a unique opportunity for our mentors, helping them learn more about local youth, many of whom are from cultural backgrounds different from their own. It breaks down barriers that divide us and embraces the idea of acceptance.
We match Bigs (volunteers) and Littles (kids) who otherwise would not know each other. We want this relationship to be mutually beneficial. We know that volunteers gain a great deal from volunteering and we always hear our Bigs say that they get more out of being matched than their Little.
I recently spoke with a person who helps businesses fill employment positions. I asked her how she weighs any type of volunteer service when she is discerning applicants. She stated that she does look for volunteer experience and knows that the person has a higher emotional intelligence and better leadership abilities than someone who hasn’t been a volunteer.
Becoming a Big is a meaningful way to impact your community. We know that kids’ lives are changed for the better, forever. A caring mentor can make such a difference in a child’s life. Our kids need assurance that they are accepted and that their dreams matter.
We have BIG plans for the future and plan to expand our program to reach more kids. More to come on that, but for now, please consider being a mentor. Thank you to all of our volunteers and donors for making it possible to help more kids. We can’t do our work without YOU!
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Jackie S. Johnson
Executive Director
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MEET OUR LITTLES OF THE YEAR! |
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Little Sister of the Year- Harlow |
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Harlow began as a Little Sister in our program when she was 9 years old. Harlow and her Big Sister Erica have been matched for 4 years. Harlow has a love of animals and was ecstatic upon learning that her Big Sister Erica is a veterinarian.
Erica shared, “Harlow was very quiet and shy when I first met her. Now she expresses herself much more readily, initiates conversations, and helps decide what we do when we get together.”
Harlow is active in her church youth group. At school, she is involved with choir, band, and swimming. Harlow has also been participating in golf lessons.
Erica continues, “Harlow is a very smart and inquisitive young lady. She loves everything from art to science. If she finds something she enjoys, she puts her whole heart into it.”
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Little Brother of the Year- Nick |
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Little Brother Nick was matched with his Big Brother Kelly on July 1, 2013, just a few weeks before his 10th birthday. Kelly became a Big Brother when Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota and the St. Cloud Police Department launched a partnership called Bigs in Blue.
Always leading an active lifestyle, Nick has consistently shown how hard working he is through his dedication to sports. He has developed a love for golf, baseball, and hockey. An avid hockey player, Nick has committed years of his time to the sport and spent endless hours on the ice. In addition to being on the team, Nick took on the leadership role of manager this year. His experience and good nature have allowed him to help build the skills of younger players on the team.
In addition to being a role model for players on his team, Nick has further plans of making an impact on a young person’s life. He says, “I think one day I’ll probably be a Big helping out a Little.”
Nick has been accepted into the Electrical program at St. Cloud Technical & Community College and will attend after he graduates this year.
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The Rothstein Family and Ja'Varyion are!
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FISHING WITH MUSKIES INC.!
It was a super windy day, but a great time was had by all. All of the Littles got to take home a fishing rod and tackle box. One catfish was caught right when the fishing started. That was the only fish that was caught during the activity, but it seemed like everyone still enjoyed a great time being outside.
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BBBS GAME NIGHT
Matches had a chance to get together and play board games, Wii, pool, carpet ball and more! Youth for Christ generously let use their space. Some matches even checked out Youth for Christ's half pipe indoor skateboard ramp.
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NATURE SKILLS WITH LES VOYAGEURS!
Last month 12 matches went out to Les Voyageurs basecamp for a fun nature skills activity! They learned orienteering and how to start a fire to get water to boil, set up a tarp, and work as a team! Zach and Allie at Les Voyageurs were awesome people to learn from!
While orienteering, one of the groups saw 2 baby foxes in the woods. There is a mom with a den on the property who has 4 babies!
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SCSU BIGS ON CAMPUS YEAR END CELEBRATION!
Bigs on Campus is a twice-monthly mentoring program that takes place at St. Cloud State University. Thanks to Spanier Bus Service, junior and senior high school students are transported for free to SCSU. Matches spend their time together (on-campus only) exploring, attending events, participating in recreational activities, touring academic departments, and more!
Last month we had our Bigs on Campus Year End Celebration! Almost all of our Bigs and Littles were able to attend.
We would also like to thank Our Bigs on Campus sponsors St. Cloud State University, the St. Cloud School District, Spanier Bus Service, Pilgrim’s, Deerwood Bank and The Women’s Fund. Their generous support helps make this program a success!
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BBBS OF CENTRAL MN TO RECEIVE RECORD $1.5M GIFT FROM PHILANTHROPIST MACKENZIE SCOTT
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota will receive a 1.5 million-dollar gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest donation from a single individual in the organization’s history.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota is a nonprofit that creates meaningful, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships between youth/Littles and mentors/Bigs. The organization serves young people and families residing in Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Morrison, and Wright counties.
Jackie Johnson, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, states, “Ms. Scott understands the life-long transformational importance of one person reaching out and helping another person. Her generous gift to our agency will directly change our kids' lives – and therefore, our communities – today and well in the future. This investment is an endorsement of our daily work, and her generosity will benefit this agency for generations to come.”
The gift supports Big Brothers Big Sisters in furthering its mission to ensure young people have access to impactful mentoring experiences that empower them for success in school, life, and career. The investment aligns with the mentoring organization’s strategic plan and vision, which include plans to expand the program, providing more positive mentorship opportunities to kids in underserved communities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota’s Board President, Alex Schoephoerster, says, “This generous gift helps kick start our $10 million endowment campaign seeking to solidify the sustainability of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota for many generations. We have a long way to go, but with Ms. Scott’s support and the support of all our donors, we have never been more confident in our determination and capacity to ignite and defend the power and potential of our youth.”
Nationwide, 38 independent affiliates and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America received a total of $122.6 million in gifts from Scott.
Schoephoerster continues, “As a Big, I’m a beneficiary of the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters and am fortunate to see firsthand the difference it can make in the lives of Bigs and Littles alike.”
The mentoring organization invites more people and partners to join in transforming mentorship for young people.
To get involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, visit BigDefenders.org or call 320-253-1616.
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We are proud to be participating in Juneteenth again this year! Join us!
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BE BIG IN 22!
Visit BigDefenders.org to learn more.
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Are you a current Big? Do you stand with youth? Let everyone know! Go to your Facebook profile and click to change your profile pic. Then click on frames, search BBBS of Central MN and add it to your profile pic! |
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THANK YOU, CLA!
This month’s Partner Spotlight goes to CliftonLarsonAllen, (CLA). CLA exists to create opportunities for clients, people, and communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services.
We are proud to share they have been supporting BBBS for more than 20 years, but did you know they have been providing quality, service, and experience to privately held businesses, government entities and nonprofits for more than 60 years!?! Their promise is “to know you and help you” and they live up to that promise every time for BBBS. Their focus on the youth of Central MN has taken many forms, from bowling teams to event sponsorships and everything in between! This year they would like to help us spread the message that is costs $2,000 to professionally support a match for one year. Matches like 2022 Big Sister of the Year Jill Oldakowski and Savana! Thank you CLA, you are in the business of doing BIG things.
We are grateful to all our Community Partners. Check out this list and the next time you are at that business or organization, please thank them for standing with kids!
If you are interested in serving on an event or sponsorship committee or have questions about it contact Emily Steinmetz at 320-258-4515 or Emily@BigDefenders.org
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2022 Big Sister of the Year Jill Oldakowski and her Little Sister Savana have been matched for 4 years! |
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Khaldoun Ahmad, Jenna Binsfeld, Peggy Brown (DEI Officer), Debbie Clausen, Kevin Fitzpatrick,
Patty Funk (Secretary), Jeff Gannon, Isaih Handy, Lee Hurd, Courtney Kunkel (Treasurer),
Bill Martin-Chaffee, Lori Mohs, Emmanuel Oppong, Curran Poganski, Marie Primus, Luke Riordan,
Rick Roehl (Vice Pres.), Alex Schoephoerster (President), Christie Schulte, and Vicky Welty (Past Pres.).
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Barb Anderson, Mimi Bitzan, Mark Coborn, Joe Francis, Brad Goskowicz, Keith Julson,
Shelly Bauerly Kopel, Gary Marsden, Vince Mohs, Karla Myres, Steve Sauer, Kurt Scepaniak,
Chris Schellinger, Joyce Schlough, John Schnettler, Rob Schumann, Peter Spaniol, Eric Stalboerger, Perian Stavrum, Mark Traut, Joan Vincent, Don Watkins, Sue Wendt and Mike Ziemann
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