Big Sister Karen and Little Sister Shamira have been matched since September, 2005. Karen and Shamira hit it off from the start. Since their match date, Karen and Shamira...
July 27, 2008
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America honored Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County with its’ Gold Standard Award for achievement at the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The agency is one of 24 agencies selected from a nationwide network of over 400 to receive this prestigious award. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, as a Gold Standard Award winner, is in the top 6% of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs across the country.
The Gold Standard award recognizes Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies that have demonstrated pace setting performance throughout the year. Agencies that have shown a 10% increase in the number of children served in mentoring relationships and meet a quality standard are considered to be top performing. In 2007, BBBS of Erie County showed an increase of 14% in the number of children served, compared to a nationwide average of 7%.
“On behalf of our entire network, I am pleased to honor Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County for its exemplary performance,” said Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “The Gold Standard Award is given to our very highest achievers for their sustained impact in helping children reach their potential. I am proud to acknowledge their successes and grateful for their breakthrough leadership in service to their communities and to the country.”
“In 2007 our agency served approximately 650 of our community’s most vulnerable children. Thanks to the outstanding support of volunteer Big Brothers & Big Sisters, members of the Board, agency staff, the WNY community, foundations and business community, we continue to be a strong organization.” said Robert F. Moss, founder and CEO of the thirty-seven year old local organization.
July 27, 2008
The stories of Site-Based Mentoring Bigs & Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County's partnership with the University at Buffalo are told in a recent edition of UB Today.
On Tuesday June 10th over 150 Big & Little Brothers and Sisters, agency staff and the Board of Directors celebrated the start of the warm weather season at the BBBS Welcome Summer Picnic. Guests enjoyed a cookout catered by Mr. G’s Catering along with carnival games, crafts and summer picnic favorites like tug of war and sack races. Thank you to the Amherst Youth Board and Harlem Road Community Center for the use of their wonderful playground and building for our picnic. Lastly, a BIG thank you to the volunteers from the LifeLinks group at the Chapel at CrossPoint who volunteered their time to run the carnival games and activities.
June 22, 2008
During National Volunteer Week in May, approximately 200 Bigs, Board Members and community partners joined us at our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner sponsored by Holiday Inn and Hart Hotels. WGRZ Channel 2 Anchor Scott Levin served as our Master of Ceremonies and helped to present several awards.
Big Sister Naomi Cottrell was recognized for 10 Years of Friendship with her now adult Little Sister Ruth. They both shared heartwarming and touching stories of their friendship over the years. Big Sister Malissa Schneider was recognized for 5 Years of Friendship with Little Brother Adam. Five of our Bigs were recognized as “Bigs of the Year.” This award is given to Bigs that demonstrate outstanding dedication to their Little Brother or Sister. Site-Based “Big of the Year” awards were given to Nicholas Forcucci, a student at Bishop Timon, and Kaity Francisco, a sophomore at D’Youville College. Community-Based “Big of the Year” awards were presented to University at Buffalo professor Dr. Corinne Coen, local business owner Eric Posa and third year medical student at the University at Buffalo, Deirdre Colgan. Each Big of the Year shared touching remarks about their relationship and how it has not only impacted the life of their Little, but has also made a positive impact in their life. Lastly, this year’s “Friends of Youth Award” was given to the University at Buffalo Office of Student Affairs. Under the leadership of UB’s VP of Student Affairs, Dennis Black, this partnership has helped to recruit over 150 students and staff as mentors in our programs, provided transportation for UB Site-Based mentors and made available an on-campus office for our program!
Following the awards and dinner, our volunteers enjoyed the zany, fun-filled games of quizmaster Dennis George and his original Dennis George Variety Show. A special thanks to our dinner sponsor Holiday Inn and Hart Hotels, our print sponsor for the evening, Gallagher Printing and WGRZ Channel 2 Anchor Scott Levin. Last but not least, thank you to all of our Big Brothers and Sisters, Board Members and community supporters who share their time and talent to make our mission and vision a reality!
May 28, 2008
Eight children and two case managers involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County were selected for a one-day, all expense paid trip to Walt Disney World. Air Canada’s Dreams Take Flight Program, whose mission is to provide the “trip of a lifetime” for youth from social service agencies and hospitals across Canada, generously provide the trips through funds raised by Air Canada employees. This is the 7th year that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County has been selected as the only program in the United States to send youth.
The trip began on Tuesday, May 13th with a limousine ride to Toronto. The youth & staff stayed overnight and early morning on May 14th, boarded a flight for a day at Walt Disney World. Each child received admission to the park, spending money and amenities compliments of Air Canada’s Dreams Take Flight! Whether it was ice cream, visiting Mickey or riding Space Mountain two times in a row, it was made possible by the Air Canada/Dreams Take Flight volunteers that accompanied our kids and staff! Following the fireworks display at Disney World that very same evening, the youth re-boarded the plane and returned to Toronto for the limousine ride home to Buffalo.
A special thanks to Dreams Take Flight and Air Canada for this wonderful experience and to Zoladz Limousine for providing the transportation to and from Toronto. To read more about this amazing trip visit:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America honored Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County with its’ Gold Standard Award for achievement at the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The agency is one of 24 agencies selected from a nationwide network of over 400 to receive this prestigious award. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, as a Gold Standard Award winner, is in the top 6% of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs across the country.
The stories of Site-Based Mentoring Bigs & Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County's partnership with the University at Buffalo are told in a recent edition of UB Today. 
