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Dear Friends of BBBS,
I couldn’t be more excited to introduce you all to the new Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc., Amanda Gravatt Porter. Amanda joins us from the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she served most recently as COO. During the interview process, Amanda shares “The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is one I believe very strongly in and I know that through the work of our dedicated Bigs, donors, volunteers and families we are changing the future for hundreds of young people. If you want to create a better world and future, you work with youth today, and through the one-on-one partnership between a Big and a Little, there is the opportunity for authentic connection that is sustainable and creates a bright future.” Her experience building and leading youth-serving organizations throughout her career is a perfect fit for BBBS, and as we enter our 60th year of service to the youth in our community, we know the organization will continue to flourish under her leadership. The last couple of years have brought about tremendous changes for all of us, and this organization is no exception. One thing hasn’t changed, and that’s the urgent work that Big Brothers Big Sisters does in our communities. The incredible staff and volunteers have ensured the youth BBBS serves have trusted and compassionate support systems during a period full of uncertainty. Thank you for being supporters of the vital work this organization does- without you, none of this work would be possible. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission of one-to-one mentoring is more pressing than ever, as we’ve all realized the importance of connection and stability over the last two years. Bowl for Kids' Sake is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you all again- in person!- to help us make this event our biggest and best yet! Candace Nicolls Board President Big Brothers Big Sisters
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Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission of individualized mentoring is one that has stood the test of time for more than 117 years and is second to none. Every day, our staff and volunteers provide substantive and compassionate one-to-one mentoring relationships that enhance the life of our Littles while also transforming the lives and perspectives of our Bigs, helping to build a more just and equitable community across Virginia.
On March 16, 2020, I assumed the role of Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central and Eastern Virginia. Joining this organization was an incredible honor and one of the greatest moments of my personal and professional career. The camaraderie and commitment found here showcased how we, as a community, could support youth and their families with love, compassion and understanding. Over the past 21 months, our work expanded to give kids hope for a better tomorrow through a pandemic and economic downturn on top of mentoring them through the everyday struggles of childhood and adolescence. Today, I find myself on the path to new challenges. As I reflect on the past and look towards the future, I meet this juncture with sorrow and excitement. On December 17, I announced to the Board of Directors that I would be moving on from BBBS to take on a new role with another organization that also inspires my commitment to our community and philanthropy. This decision was extremely difficult, but I know that I leave BBBS bigger, better, stronger and in the very capable hands of our extremely talented staff and highly committed Board and volunteers. Over the last two years, I have been inspired by the BBBS community. I have had the privilege of reconnecting past donors and Board members with our organization and mission. Throughout these interactions, these individuals often reflected on the transformation our Littles experience and how their time with BBBS fundamentally changed their perspective on how we engage as a community. I have also had the distinct honor of leading the most amazingly talented team in the non-profit sector. The BBBS staff work diligently day and night with heart and strategic vision to ensure that every match is made in the best interest of our Littles and Bigs. Change is never easy, but also a necessity as we all take on new challenges and opportunities. I had the advantage of standing on the shoulders of my predecessors and will now serve as a part of the foundation of former staff for the next generation of leaders and help them move BBBS into its next phase of growth. While my time as Executive Director comes to an end, the impact we make every day is ongoing and I will continue to be a part of BBBS’s future in new capacities. As you read this email, please reflect on the moment you joined this organization. You became a part of BBBS because you believed in the power of one-to-one mentoring. BBBS is not just another nonprofit. It is a living, breathing organization that represents the best of our community at all levels. It serves as a critical support system for the next generation of business and civic leaders and will continue to need all of us to ensure a vibrant future for all youth. Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Board of Directors begins the search for a new Executive Director. In the interim, Ellie Martinez, the current Program Director will serve as the Interim Executive Director until a permanent candidate can be secured. Ellie has been with BBBS for more than 10 years and more than 5 here in Virginia. She serves this organization faithfully and is ready to help lead during this transition. In the meantime, please know that BBBS is as strong as ever and we will continue to provide excellent services to our Bigs and Littles. As BBBS begins its celebration of 60 years of mentoring in Virginia, I hope each of you will stand with me in sharing the important work of this organization. It takes all of us – staff, volunteers, donors, and corporate and civic partners to create true, lasting and meaningful change. Thank you to our volunteers and donors for your past and ongoing support of our mission and thank you for the privilege of serving as your administrative leader. Danielle  Richmond, VA. – Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the board are Clark Dugger, Managing Director at CapTech Ventures; Jeff Kelley, Client Partner at Thought Logic Consulting; Elizabeth Ream, Co-Owner & Clinic Liaison at MVP Therapy; Kelly Rivers, Realtor at REMAX/Ransome Group; and Melvyn (Mel) Smith, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Genworth Financial. “I am delighted to welcome our newest members to our board leadership, these dynamic individuals truly embody the spirit of Big Brothers Big Sisters.” said Danielle Cohen, BBBS Executive Director. “This class of community leaders not only bring a passion and commitment for youth mentoring, but a diverse range of talents and expertise that will help usher this organization into its next growth phase. Big Brothers Big Sisters remains eternally grateful to those members whose term ended this past year and look forward to their ongoing support in igniting the potential of our youth." Welcome to the newest members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors.  Clark Dugger Managing Director, CapTech  Jeff Kelley Client Partner, Thought Logic Consulting  Elizabeth Ream Clinic Liaison/Co-Owner, MVP Therapy & Sports Medicine  Kelly Rivers Realtor, Remax/Ransome Group  Melvyn (Mel) Smith Jr. Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Genworth Financial Each are serving three-year terms through the end of December 2023. Big Brothers Big Sisters also wants to thank our Board Members who completed their three-year terms this past December.  Lorrie Byrne Senior Director, Compensation at Altria  Christopher (Chris) Cooke Retired, Altria  Shelia Fitzgerald Retired, Altria Immediate Past Board President  Ken Shepard Head of Investments and Wealth Strategy, Bank of America About Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc
Active in Virginia since 1962, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. BBBS matches youth (Littles) with caring, consistent mentors (Bigs) who can help them grow in confidence, perform better at school, and a create healthy lifestyle. Because when a Little sees their Big believe in them, they begin to believe in themselves. Learn more at www.bigbrobigsis.com. ### For more information contact: Diane Brown Sr. Development Manager, BBBS dbrown@bigbrobigsis.com 804.261.4940  Left to right: Chris Garnett, Eric Wirth, Stanton McComb, Shannon Roberts, and Kevin Kitching at McKesson. Could a few hours a week make a difference in someone’s life? This is a question to which McKesson employees Stanton McComb, Chris Garnett, and Kevin Kitching all said yes. To make this difference, they chose to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters to serve as mentors for youth in our community, where just a few hours a week makes a BIG difference. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we focus on creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. We match volunteer mentors (Bigs) with youth in our community (Littles) who need a mentor the most. Each Big and Little meets weekly and find fun, meaningful ways to work together to achieve goals Thanks to our volunteers, we see every day how a Little begins to believe in themself, when they see their Big believe in them. BBBS is excited to highlight three McKesson Bigs, who make this difference for their Little.
Hear in their own words, what being a Big has meant to them.  Big Stanton McComb and Little Shannon Alumni Big and Little Why did you decide to become a Big? I came back from the Peace Corps in 1995 and started working in Washington, DC. At the time, I wanted to do something outside of work to help others and I learned about Big Brothers and it simply appealed to me. That is how I met not only Shannon but Shannon’s mom and extended family. How has being a Big impacted you? Well, I still cherish my life-long friendship with Shannon for sure. I learned some things from Shannon’s mom, Sharon, too. I interacted with her a fair bit as we scheduled outings and when I came to their house to pick up Shannon. Sharon was a single, hard-working mom and her total love and care for Shannon made an impression on me. She was such a good, caring, devoted and loving parent. She would do anything for Shannon and that stuck with me and I think of her dedication and diligence often now that I am a father. Do you have a memory or story with your Little that you will always remember? I remember a time when my parents were in town and, on a Saturday or Sunday, we took Shannon to the office where I worked, in the old Watergate building near the Kennedy Center, and we snuck into the big, fancy Board room and tried to roll quarters across the length of the long board room. For some reason I remember that and remember laughing quite a bit there and then. Did you and your Little have a favorite place to go? How do you keep in touch through the shift to virtual and social distancing? He and I visited a lot of different places. I think I took him to his first baseball game in Baltimore and that was cool, but I would honestly have to say that our favorite mutual destinations tended to be restaurants where we had good food together! We text each other from time to time and every so often I will call him and check in. Shannon recently became a father, so I am looking forward to meeting his baby daughter! It is hard to imagine my Little Brother as a father, but it also brings a smile to my face too because I know he will be a great dad.  Big Chris Garnett and Little Xzaiveer Currently matched in our Community-based mentoring program; Chris is also a member of the BBBS Marketing Committee Why did you decide to become a Big? I had been involved with the organization for 5 years, starting with attendance at the events, to joining the board and launching the first Marketing Committee. But I was still hesitant to take the step to become a BIG – only because I was a little nervous of what it would entail and whether I was truly able to make a difference. I finally decided a year ago that it was finally time for me to step up – and I’m so glad I did. How has being a Big impacted you? Xzaiveer is such a great kid – kind, thoughtful, funny and smart. And although I’ve been able to help and teach him some things over this last year, I KNOW I’ve learned a ton from him and our time together. Especially when it comes to attitude, because despite anything Xzaiveer might be going through, he is always upbeat and positive. Do you have a memory or story with your Little that you will always remember? No one specific story but one thing that absolutely stands out about Xzaiveer is his love for sports and his AMAZING memory of players and statistics. Xzaiveer and I are both fans of the Washington Football Team. For anyone who knows Washington, it can be VERY difficult to stay a fan, but he and I stick with them. But more amazing that that, Xzaiveer can tell you pretty much every player on the team, their stats, strengths and weaknesses and how he thinks they’ll do the rest of the season. Did you and your Little have a favorite place to go? How do you keep in touch through the shift to virtual and social distancing? We have had a couple really good bowling competitions. We were also able to get out fairly early during COVID by staying outdoors with basketball and Go-Carts. It has been more difficult with the colder weather, but we keep in touch through phone and text and hope to get back out sometime soon.  Big Kevin Kitching and Little Sean Currently matched in our Site-based mentoring program Why did you decide to become a Big? My spouse is a school counselor, and I was hearing a lot from her about the challenges that elementary students are facing today. Often, these children were in situations that would have been incredibly difficult to navigate even as an adult, and that realization led me to look for ways to give back and provide support. When I learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters' mission to "create and support one-to-one mentoring that ignites the power and promise of youth," I knew I wanted to get involved. After experiencing the power of mentorship in my own childhood and into my career, I hope to be able to offer that positive and consistent relationship to my Littles. How has being a Big impacted you? Over the past five years, I've built relationships with four young men. We spend one-on-one time together weekly during the school year, building trust in each other and having plenty of elementary school fun along the way, including board games, books, and recess! No matter how my own day is going or what has been on my mind, these meetings are a "reset" that help me to center on what, or who, is most important—every day, we each have the choice to do something positive for others. Do you have a memory or story with your Little that you will always remember? A Little who I had been meeting with for over a year moved away the next school year, and I got re-matched. Two years later, he moved back to the same school and, when we first saw each other in the hallway, he had a smile from ear to ear as he asked excitedly if I remembered him. After spending some time together catching up, it helped me to see how much our relationship had meant to him, even after the time had passed. Did you and your Little have a favorite place to go? How do you keep in touch through the shift to virtual and social distancing? Because I have met with my Littles at school, some of our favorite activities have included eating lunch together, playing board games, and perfecting some new football or basketball skills. After teaching my Little to play checkers and practicing together, I'll never forget the first time he beat me—we were both so excited! During the initial shutdown at the end of the school year, we were able to keep in touch as "pen pals" through some written notes. This year, I was excited to learn that we'll have the chance to meet virtually and continue to build our relationship with each other. ______________________________________________________________________ Thank you to Stanton, Chris, and Kevin who continue to be incredible advocates of mentoring in our community. And to McKesson for encouraging and supporting their employees as they make a difference in our community. About McKesson
McKesson Corporation is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com. About Big Brothers Big Sisters With over 400 youth asking for a Big, we need more volunteers to ensure each youth receives the Big they deserve. By volunteering just a few hours a week, you could be the next Big to make a positive impact on youth in our community. During the pandemic, youth are even more at-risk especially as they feel isolated and alone. Having a Big to meet with weekly, even when virtual, can make a BIG difference. BBBS matches youth (Littles) with caring, consistent mentors (Bigs) who can help them grow in confidence, perform better at school, and a create healthy lifestyle. Act Today. Impact Their Tomorrow. To volunteer or donate call us at (804)261-4940 or go to bigbrobigsis.com.  Many people refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are working to educate ourselves as well as others.
Our Bigs receive access to LGBTQ Training thanks to our partnership with our friends at Side by Side. Now we want to bring it to everyone. It’s important that we open the door to better conversations. SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression) refers to characteristics common to all human beings because everyone has a sexual orientation and a gender identity.
Using Pronouns helps to normalize the sharing of one's gender identity. Even if you are not likely to be misgendered, think about adding your pronouns to your email signature, social media profiles, and business cards!
Thank you for learning with us! Big Brothers Big Sisters  During this global pandemic, we are turning towards technology now more than ever to keep us connected. At BBBS, we're grateful our matches can continue to stay in touch, but know this comes with additional responsibilities to ensure the safety of our Littles.
The below resources provide education for parents, guardians, and mentors as well as resources to share with youth and help them learn about internet safety. Internet Crimes Against Children: This has resources on general Internet safety, gaming, cyberbullying, etc.. Teaching Internet Safety to Teens Videos, short films, games and interactive comics that teach teens about making safer choices online: NetSmartz Online Safety Educational Program An interactive, educational program that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer online. This is designed for children 5-17, parents/guardians, educators. Below we've added additional links to age specific web series that present digital safety lessons in a fun and age-appropriate manner: Additional Resources for Internet Safety Tip sheet on gaming safely Parents’ Guide to Smartphone Safety Protecting your kids online For additional guidance or questions on how best to share these resources with your Little, please reach out to your Match Support Specialist. If you have additional ideas and resource, please feel free to share with Diane Brown at dbrown@bigbrobigsis.com. VIRGINIA, April 13, 2020 | Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, recently ranked in the Morning Consult's Top 10 Survey for Most Favorable Nonprofit and Most Trusted Nonprofit, is excited to announce the appointment of Danielle Cohen as its new chief executive officer. After a competitive selection process, the BBBS board and executive search committee chose Danielle Cohen to serve as the organization’s new executive director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Danielle to the organization,” said Candace Nicolls, board president of BBBS Services. “The board is confident that under her leadership, the organization will continue to expand our reach while keeping our commitment to delivering best quality programs to our youth. Her experience and passion will be invaluable to our success.” Danielle joins us with 20 years of experience leading nonprofit teams, building comprehensive strategies, developing talent, growing community involvement, and driving successful fundraising campaigns. Most recently she served as Director of Development at JDRF of Greater CT / Western MA, a global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Danielle has spent over 15 years serving organizations here in Richmond including American Heart Association, Virginia State University, The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission, and The Steward School. Notably, she received the Campaign in Excellence Award and two Campaign Achievement Awards during her tenure as Director of Development at the American Heart Association. Danielle is a graduate from University of Richmond and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Danielle succeeds Ann Rohde Payes, who dedicated seven years of service to BBBS and oversaw growth of the program from Greater Richmond and Tri-Cities to the Virginia Peninsula and Hampton Roads. Thank you to everyone helping us continue our valuable work serving youth and matching them with caring, adult mentors. Please join us in welcoming Danielle to Big Brothers Big Sisters! We know that COVID-19 has serious implications for the well being of all of us, but especially for LGBTQ youth. Even before the global pandemic, studies have shown that LGBTQ youth are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality. The increase of social distancing means that many LGBTQ youth have experienced a decrease in positive social relationships, and we want to help combat that.
Check out our list of local and national resources to support our LGBTQ community. Information:
With the executive stay-at-home order in place, we understand it can feel hard to stay connected. But we encourage everyone to abide by it to stay safe and healthy. To help make the transition to virtual hang outs easier, we compiled a fun list of ideas and activities for you and your Little to enjoy. Although, let's be honest its great for friends and family too!
Below are ideas for “virtual match outings” and other ways you can stay in touch. Use these ideas to foster great conversation, learning, and lots of laughter. Fun General Activities
Play Online Game Together Played together using a browser:
Travel together! Take the following tours:
Don't forget to share your stories and virtual match outings. Tag @BeaBigVA or email Diane Brown, dbrown@bigbrobigsis.com to be featured! Wednesday March 18, 2020 | COVID-19 is an evolving global, national, and statewide issue. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, the health and safety of our Littles, Bigs, families, staff, event participants, and partners is our first priority. All general updates will be reflected on our COVID-19 Updates page.
To assistant you, we’ve developed a list of resources specific for our Greater Virginia Peninsula Bigs, Littles, and Parents/Guardians. Update 4.27 | Food Access in Newport News - Starting Tuesday, Newport News Public Schools will start offering to-go dinners three days a week thanks to a partnership with World Central Kitchen. Hampton:
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