In The News

This back-to-school season, Horizon Organic is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters to further our organization’s mission to help children realize their potential and confidently build their futures through one-to-one mentoring.

Horizon Organic recognizes the unlimited potential inside every child and is asking you to use the world as your stage and take to Instagram or Facebook to show your #HorizonConfiDANCE. More than 8 million kids in the US don’t have a supportive, sustained relationship with a caring adult mentor, which is why Horizon is proud to support Big Brothers Big Sisters and their continued efforts to build confidence through mentorship. According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters 2017 Youth Outcomes Survey, 92% of Littles are more confident in school after one year of mentorship with a Big.

Horizon wants to power up passions that will lead to something stronger than bones: self-confidence! We want to celebrate passions leading to confiDANCES during this back-to-school season. You can show us your confiDANCE in any way that celebrates you! Anything can be a dance move if it shows your confidence!  Whether you scored the game-winning goal, snagged that A+ on your paper or got a delicious dinner on the table by 6pm – it’s all something to celebrate!

Horizon invites you to join in its support of Big Brothers Big Sisters, furthering the organization’s mission to help children realize their potential and confidently build their futures through one-to-one mentoring.  For every dance shared on Facebook or Instagram, Horizon Organic will donate $5 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, up to $200K. Just use #HorizonConfiDANCE. To be featured on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay Facebook or Instagram page you can send your video to Kelli Serio at KelliS@BBBSTampaBay.org

Click here, to learn more.

For the first time in its 54-year history, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay agency has been named a Pinnacle Award winner for 2018 by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nationwide mentoring organization’s highest honor.

The award, announced by the Big Brothers Big Sisters Nationwide Leadership Council, recognizes the very best local agencies for increasing their revenue and growing their overall number of Big & Little matches year-over-year for two or more consecutive years. In 2018, the Tampa Bay agency served a record 3,014 children, a 5.6 percent increase over 2017.

“This award is the result of a lot of hard, focused and strategic work by our dedicated staff, board and of course, our great volunteer Bigs.  It is also the result of our donors who believe in defending and inspiring the potential of the wonderful youth we are honored to serve through our evidence-based, outcome-oriented 1 to 1 mentoring programs” said Stephen Koch, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.  “We know that there is a lot more work to be done, and we are more committed than ever to continuing to make a positive difference for thousands of additional children and youth who can benefit from having a Big Brother or Big Sister in their young lives.”

BBBS of Tampa Bay was one of only 6 agencies, from nearly 300 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies nationwide, that will be recognized as a Pinnacle Award winner at the national conference of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, being held in late June in Charlotte, N.C.

“We are so proud of the growth that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay has experienced, and we are pleased to recognize that success with the Pinnacle Award,” said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “We thank the agency for its tireless work in service of our mission and commitment to serving more children in the Tampa Bay area.”

Big Brothers and Big Sisters are adult volunteers (called “Bigs”) who are matched with children facing adversity (called “Littles”) for professionally-supported one-on-one mentoring. Last year BBBS of Tampa Bay served more than 3,000 children with positive role models throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Citrus, Hernando and Citrus counties.

The impact of the relationships is significant, with 97 percent of children matched for more than a year in 2018 being promoted to the next grade level, and 98 percent avoiding any involvement with the juvenile justice system.

The other Pinnacle Award agencies for 2018 are from Milwaukee, Northeast Iowa, Southern Minnesota, El Dorado County (CA) and Southwest Idaho.

In stores nationwide from April 8^th – May 13^th, customers can purchase Moment cards to celebrate specific moments when mentors make a difference.

Every kid has potential. And little moments with a caring adult can help ignite it within them to do big things, whether it’s learning to tie a tie, practicing for an interview or getting help with homework. And you can help. Big Brothers Big Sisters has partnered with Nordstrom Rack to celebrate moments of mentoring. In stores across the United States from April 8^th – May 13^th, Nordstrom Rack customers can buy $10 Moment cards to celebrate specific moments when mentors make a difference:

• Practicing for an Interview
• Helping with Homework
• Prepping for Graduation
• Learning to Tie a Tie
• Training for Tryout

When you sponsor a moment, you give the gift of mentorship. In addition to the $10 Moment donations, customers can also donate $1 at the register with their purchase. $10 Moment donations and $1 donations are also available when making purchases online at NordstromRack.com and Hautelook.com. 100% of your donation will support matching kids with adult mentors so they can realize their potential.

Learn more at www.bbbs.org/nordstromrack.

Jeff Wagner was an inspiration to all that knew him. He had many roles he will be remembered for: loyal friend, #1 USF fan, a two-time cancer survivor, motivational speaker, and philanthropist But one of the roles he was most proud of was his time spent as a dedicated Big Brother. Jeff was a Big Brother with our Tampa Bay agency for 20 years. Over the years, he was matched with 3 Little Brothers. Jeff kept in regular contact with his two former Little Brothers, Corey and Brandon, who are now adults with their own families. And, for the past 8 years, he has been matched with his current Little Brother, Casey. “He truly was larger than life,” said Casey’s mom Crystal. “His courage, his strength, his passion for life, his kind heart and his love for everyone he knew … was like no other, and he would make sure you knew it.” Jeff was always there for his Littles, no matter what, and did everything he could to help them grow and succeed. Jeff also helped raise funds for BBBSTB and could frequently be found supporting the agency at one of our events or activities. Jeff will be greatly missed, and we know his legacy will live on through the impact he has had on his Little Brothers, and the entire agency.

January is National Mentoring Month, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is celebrating those who are already volunteering as mentors, “Bigs”, and also recruiting volunteers.

Every January, the news is full of the same stories: people are trying to eat more healthfully, hit the gym more often. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is changing that story and asking: What if this year, you could resolve to something more important, more impactful? What if you could make a resolution worth keeping, one that inspires more resolutions? In 2019, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay is asking people in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties to resolve to become a Big Brother or Big Sister.

“Bettering yourself in the new year is a great goal,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay CEO Stephen Koch, “but we know people are also thinking about how to better their community and how to make sure that when they reflect on the year, they know they made a difference.”

More than 500 youth in the Tampa Bay community are waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister, and the only way to ensure they have someone to inspire them to reach their potential is for more adults to step up and volunteer to become Bigs. Being a Big means committing to spending a few hours a month with a young person doing things that you love to do, like playing basketball, visiting the library, or learning how to cook.

Tampa Bay residents can get involved with National Mentoring Month by coming to a local Big Orientation & Training. You can view the full schedule of Big Orientation & Trainings here.

On social media, Tampa Bay residents can get involved by following Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Throughout the month, Big Brothers Big Sisters is encouraging followers to tag a friend who would be a great Big Brother or Big Sister, using the hashtag #TheBigResolution. Visit www.thebigresolution.com to learn more.

Alan has been a Big Brother for over 10 years and set out on his excursion to raise money and awareness for the organization

Big Brother Alan Cohen was matched with his Little Brother Sir about 10 years ago when he retired from a career in information technology. He has been a dedicated Big Brother and supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s mentoring programs. After going on a safari in Tanzania five years ago, he decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain and fourth tallest mountain in the world, at 19,341 feet above sea level.

After years of planning and months of strenuous training, he and nine friends flew to Tanzania in July 2018 to embark on the eight-day trek – 6.5 days up and 1.5 days down the mountain – to raise money and awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

Due to the lack of oxygen at the high altitude and the danger of the climb, it was necessary for Alan’s group to hire 39 local guides who assisted with carrying food, water, and necessary supplies that were needed for the expedition. Throughout the trip, Alan bonded with the guides who began to refer to him as “Babu” or grandfather. As the group approached the summit, the guides reminded them to go slowly, taking it one step at a time (“Pogo Pogo”) as altitude sickness due to lack of oxygen would begin to set it.

When they reached the summit, Alan snapped a photo with a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay flag to commemorate his journey. Through his hard work and determination to complete this climb, Alan raised $2,200 to benefit our mentoring programs.