Our Mission

To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change youths’ lives for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Virginia Peninsula 364 McLaws Circle Suite 2 • Williamsburg, VA 23185

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014

quality mentoring services and to build stronger relationships with all of our participants. As of June, we had trained 105 program participants. Our staff is motivated to provide the best services to improve and change the lives of our Dear Friends and Supporters of Big Brothers Bigall Sisters, children for the better through professional support year long. They have been working recruitment experiencing a decline in the number of It’s the end of hard anotheron year and our workafter continues to build matches to sprout beautiful mentoring relationships Bigs and Littles. We reflect on the work we’ve done, successes, matches due to lack for of our available mentors. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are very areas of improvement, and the way forward. This year we’re working on sustainability in fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers who dedicate themselvesour by making core work and how we support what we do. At Big Brothers Big Sisters long-term matches a commitment to helpsuccessful build future to improve our help our Littles become in life, leaders along withand multi-year donations thatcommunity. are key to sustaining our organization. The necessity for both keeps us diligently working to promote not

As only a premier organization partnering with our the youth one-to-one but the rewards youth of giving mentoring back for our volunteers. mentors, parents/guardians, and other community allies, we hold ourselves Thanks to you, theeach number of Bigs with multi-year matches continues to exceed accountable for child in and ourLittles program achieving: the national average. Extensive research confirms the importance of a one year or longer • Higher aspirations, greater and Our better relationships mentoring relationship in putting children on con a pathdence to success. program Littles are • Avoidance of risky behaviors showing statistically significant improvement in many areas including their scholastic competency, educational success. expectations and their attitudes towards risk, specifically with • Educational respect to avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, and skipping school.

We continue to focus on quality outcomes, child safety and increasing the number Many of our youth are vulnerable because they are growing up in poverty, live in a single of youth we serve while maintaining a scally sound organization. parent home, or have one or more parents incarcerated; yet because of you they are thriving.

ongoing support is showing our youth that the community cares about them and their BigYour Brothers Big Sisters is motivated to continue building strong community success. Investment in one of the evidence-based mentoring programs in our community will partnerships that and educate and make usaaBig better Peninsula. help break theand cyclequality of povertyprograms for these children their families. Providing for Littles

Harold Philipsen (Treasurer) Sherri Stewart (Secretary) Allison Lennarz (Past Chair) Debbie Ramer Richard Collins Kenneth M. Johnston Gordon Klugh Michelle Simpson Jodi Miller Steve Vignolo

Joe Ford Peggy Howard Michelle Simpson Dawn R. Smith Jennifer Stuebbe Rosanne Walters Christopher Watkins Cynthia Wolf

STAFF Ayanna A. King, CEO Melissa Buckley, Program Coordinator Susan Dickerson, Development Director Michelle Hollins, Program Director Darlene Ingram, Director of Training Rosalyn Mason, Senior Program Coordinator

gives them the resilient tools for success in school and in life.

Thank you so much for being a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ family. In Take“Big” a journey us through thisyou annual report and you’ll how your both andwith “Little” ways, are helping to see change thesupport lives makes of oura youth difference in every aspect of our work for every youth in our program. We hope you will take for the better….FOREVER. a moment to celebrate everything you do...

Joe Ford Board Chair & Big Brother

Ayanna A. King Chief Executive Ofcer & Big Sister Ayanna A. King

Chief Executive Officer & Big Sister

Joe Ford

Board Chair &Big Brother

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters signature fundraiser. It’s a time to have fun and support the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Help us by bringing a team each year to Williamsburg’s AMF Bowling Lanes and Spare Times in Hampton.

2013-2014 The BIG Recap July 2013 - 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta: The Williamsburg Jaycees held its Fourth Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters on July 20, 2013. Boats made out of cardboard and duct tape raced at the Yorktown Beach while spectators cheered them on. A variety of prizes were distributed – from the “Fastest Time” to the “Titanic Award.” July 2013 - Fishing Clinic with the Rotary Club and Coastal Conservation Association: Bigs and Little were able to learn about the different species of fish, how to cast and spent time fishing for a couple of hours at the fishing pier at Buckroe Beach. October 2013 - Big Splash with Great Wolf Lodge: Big Brothers Big Sisters and Williamsburg Great Wolf Lodge partnered and raised a whopping $65,000 for programs and services at two Big Splashes (October and May). Big Brothers Big Sisters is very grateful for the support of Great Wolf Lodge and the amount of funds that they have raised over the many years of partnership. Thank you Great Wolf Lodge and all you have done for Big Brothers Big Sisters. October 2013 - Sigma Phi Epsilon (CNU) Powderpuff Flag Football Tournament: Bigs and Littles were able to participate in a flag football game. The money raised by the fraternity was donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters).

Honor Roll Celebration: Littles who were successful and received honor roll were rewarded with an afternoon of fun at Rebounderz along with a motorcycle ride from Ascension who raised funds to support the children in Big Brothers Big Sisters

November 2013 - American Pride: designed a community outreach project and named it Family Service Day in 2009. Providing minor to major auto repairs free of charge to single parent families as well as deployed military. This year they partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and serviced 23 Parents and Bigs who use their vehicle to volunteer with their Little. Thank you American Pride Automotive for your Family Service Day. November 2013 - Talent Show: Littles, youth and young adults in the community participated in a talent show. The winner, Nakiree of Newport News received studio time at the teen center in Hampton where he was able to professionally record his song.

2013-2014 The BIG Recap November 2013 - Monster Jam Truck Show: Big Brothers Big Sisters provided tickets for four matches to experience the truck show held at the Hampton Coliseum. December 2013 - Line Dance Your Brunch Away Holiday Event: Big Brothers Big Sisters had a fabulous time with 144 Bigs, Little, and Parents at our Holiday Bash at the Great Wolf Lodge. We gave our Sustainability awards for matches longer than 4 years, reviewed our annual report, and had much fun with our Line Dance Instructor, Coretta Savage showing the moves as we worked that wonderful brunch off in a healthy and fun way. January 2014 - Open House: Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored an open house where the community was able to come in, learn more about the organization and have any questions answered). January 2014 - Kick Off Big Talks: Created the opportunity for Bigs to have open discussion sessions to share experiences and gain support from the program April 2014 - VA Big College Tours: Littles and youth in the community along with their Big or parent had the opportunity to attend Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University. June 2014 - Big for A Day: Youth on the waiting list had the opportunity to experience having a mentor that focus on mentoring about their workplace for a day. June 2014 - Summer Kick Off: We hosted this year’s summer Kick Off at Waller Mill Park. We had great music by the Fortress who volunteered their services and Bigs, Littles and families enjoyed kicking off the summer with a wonderful cookout, games, activities, and spending time with the staff and Board of Big brothers Big Sisters. Great Wolf Lodge (GWL) Howl-at the Moon: Bigs and Littles attended this event, in an effort to help GWL-BBBS partnership make it into the Guinness Book for the most people howling at once at all the GWL locations across the country.

Horseback riding @ Carlton Farm Williamsburg: Our Little Dalton was selected to participate in free horseback riding lessons for 4 weeks. The funds were raised in partnership with Carlton Farms and Sigmon Taylor Photography

Staff Board of Directors Joe Ford, President Michelle Simpson, Vice-President

Ayanna A. King, CEO Michelle Hollins, Program Director Darlene Ingram, Director of Training Kasey Martin, Program Coordinator Allison Lerner, AmeriCorps VISTA

Community Council

Harold Philipsen, Treasurer Christopher Watkins, Council Chair Jodi Miller, Secretary Alonzo Cherry Angie Brown Peggy Howard Dawn Smith Debbie Brown Curtis Talifaro Richard Collins Delroy Walker Alricco Mann Ethlyn Gibson DonCarlos McWhorter Suzanne Higgs Keith Gregory Natasha Merz Wade Quinn Darren Swan Steve Vignolo

Raising the Arts workshop and Art Unveiling:

Twelve youth were able to attend an art workshop with the infamous Larry “Poncho” Brown whose artwork has been featured on the Cosby show, Different World, and the Wire just to name a few. Poncho shared not only his skills and talents as an artist but inspiration to the youth in the workshop to believe in themselves. The following day the youth’s artwork lined the hallway as the unveiling of the commissioned “It’s All About Love” artwork to represent the mentoring of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Dancing with the Stars:

Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Program. This is a great opportunity to support the Williamsburg community members who dance on behalf of raising funds for the two organizations. This year’s event raked in over $80,000 and nearly sold out the 700-seat theatre. Brigit Kin-Charlton won Best All-Round. She is the proud owner of B-defined Fitness Studio in New Town. Dancing with the Stars: Bridgit Kin-Charlton won best all-around. Pictured with Pro, Steve Kirvan, Owner of 7 Cities Ballroom in Williamsburg. (She is owner of B-defined Fitness Studio in New Town)

BIG Impact. BIG Time. BIG Rewards

2013-2014 Financials Audit Figures for the annual report: Revenue Sources Fundraising . . ....................................................................................... $148,368 UW Williamsburg . . .................................................................................. .63,603 UW Peninsula . . . ......................................................................................80,317 General Donations . . . ...............................................................................27,921 Grant Income . . . ......................................................................................20,204 Miscellaneous . .......... ...................................................................................146 Total . . ................................................................................................... $340,559 Functional Expenses School Based . . . ..................................................................................$135,104 Community . . . .........................................................................................202,656 Development . . ....................................................................................... .19,143 Dues . . . ....................................................................................................11,069 Insurance . . .............................................................................................. ..8,359 Total . . . ..................................................................................................$376,331 Note: Reserves were used to cover deficit.

Nichole George Big Sister of the Year and Little Sherkayla. They have been matched for 4 years.

Big Brother Anthony Dodson with Little Nasir lighting Great Wolf Lodge Christmas Tree.

Thank you great wolf lodge for supporting the children in our community.

Craig Speed Big Brother of the Year and Little Anthony. They have been matched for 6 years.

Measurements

2013-2014

PROGRAM OUTCOME EVALUATIONS

The Program Outcome Evaluations (POE) measure the confidence, competence and caring of the child participant. Studies have found a strong and positive relationship between the assets measured in POE and increases in reported school attendance and grades. In other words, the more assets youth have, the higher their school performance. Also, as assets increase, there is an increase in future academic performance. For example, youth with a low number of assets have lower GPAs than youth with a high number of assets. Preliminary research indicates that assets are linked to standardized test scores. Increasing assets has a direct relationship to a student’s improved academic performance.

660

Participants

Besides research related to overall assets, certain indicators have been linked to other pertinent outcomes. For example, attitude toward school has been linked to academic performance and dropping out of school. As a youth’s attitude toward school improves, their chance of dropping out of school decreases. This is also true with academic performance; students doing well in school are less likely to drop out.

STRENGTH OF RELATIONSHIP

The Strength of Relationship (SoR) surveys are one of the key initiatives that Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has developed to evaluate our mentoring programs and overall service to matches (e.g., how we think about, coach and guide participants toward longer, stronger matches). The Child SoR and Volunteer SoR surveys provide an indicator for the overall quality of matches by assessing the strength of relationships between children and volunteers. These surveys help to inform us as to how we can improve the quality of our services and how to help the mentor and the child have longer and stronger matches.

81

141

81

141

20

20

94%

94%

94%

94%

81%

78%

94%

94%

94%

94%

81%

78%

How You Can Help...

OUR PROGRAMS COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM

This program matches an adult volunteer with a child between the ages of 6 and 12. The child and mentor meet approximately two to four hours per week in the community and participate in numerous activities. Child referrals may come from parents, friends, school personnel or community agencies.

SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM

This program matches an adult volunteer, high school student, or college student with a child in grades K-8. The child and mentor meet for one hour a week on school grounds and spend time together eating lunch, working on homework, playing games or just talking. Students are referred by guidance counselors in James City County, Williamsburg, York County, Newport News and Hampton.

MILITARY MENTORING PROGRAM

The program matches children (9-16 years old) of active military parentswith a caring and competent adult who can provide positive interaction and support while helping the child negotiate the challenges of being a military child and being separated from a parent or guardian. Their parents can either be currently deployed, scheduled for deployment or recently returned from deployment. Another component of this program is to match military personnel with youth in our School and Community-Based Programs to serve as positive role models for children in need.

MALE MENTORING PROGRAM

Through partnerships with the Pearl Bailey Library and Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., boys and young men ages 9 to 18 experience a program that empowers them to aspire toward higher education through self-creation, avoidance of risky behaviors and participation in positive, esteem-building activities. The group meets the fourth Thursday of each month.

People often ask, “How can I help?” We invariably tell them, “We need mentors!” If you can spare one to two hours a week, we can match you with a school-based youth right now - you will meet on school grounds with your youth, or “Little,” play games, talk and develop a relationship. If you have a little more time than that, we can match you with a youth in the community - you will meet in the community at places and times that you arrange. However, there are people who have no time and still want to help. Below are just some suggestions for you.

A $1,200 gift will

Professionally support a match between a youth and an adult for an entire year.

A $675 gift will

Provide needed funds to host an event specifically designed to recruit mentors. We’ve had more than 200 children on our waiting list all year long. We need to find more adults willing to meet with youth who are crying out for a mentor. Recruitment events are the best way to find those adults.

A $250 gift will

Fund honoring our honor roll students for one semester. It’s so important to celebrate our children’s successes, and this gift would provide for a certificate, a gift card and food during a celebration recognizing our youth’s achievement.

A $200 gift will

Train one mentor for an entire year. Before an adult can even meet their assigned youth, they have to go through our orientation. Then, during the duration of their match, mentors have to go through three additional training sessions. We do this to ensure a quality match and so everyone understands expectations and requirements.

A $100 gift will

Provide healthy drinks and snacks at one training session. We like to make our mentors, parents and youth feel comfortable during our trainings, especially as they occur during the evening hour, when most are coming directly from work.

A $75 gift will

This could be you!

Allow us to take a youth on a college or university tour. We want to provide as many experiences as possible to the youth who come to our organization, and that includes taking them on tours of post-secondary institutions.

A $50 gift will

Provide small incentives to one youth for an entire year to encourage prosocial behaviors like cleaning their room and improving their grades.