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Youth and their case managers from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County’s Options Program prepared meals of meat loaf, potatoes and more for local homebound seniors as a way of giving back on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
Pictured in the kitchen of the Doylestown Mennonite Church are, from left (front row) Jose and Michael; (back row) Kyree, Rob, Dominic, and Thom McGowan, case manager for the program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC) is a donor supported non-profit mentoring organization with over 50 years of service to youth. Located in Jamison, their mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better. Their vision is that all children achieve success in life. BBBSBC accomplishes this by partnering with parents / guardians, volunteers and others in the community.
Referred by schools, Children & Youth, Juvenile Court and family members, children in their programs range in age from seven to 17. “Bigs” provide support and guidance through one-on-one relationships that so many children desire. By talking, listening and engaging in productive, fun activities, these adult mentors can ultimately help a child achieve their highest potential as they become adults.
During the 2011/2012 year, the following outcomes were reported by the agency’s Community-based “Bigs” on the anniversary of the match: 82% reported their “Little’s” ability to avoid substance abuse was not a problem; 80% reported an increase in their “Little’s” self-confidence; and 74% reported “Littles” improved in their ability to make decisions.
Over the last year, BBBSBC served 1,500 children. With the challenges facing youth today and the current economic climate, BBBSBC has seen a significant increase in the number of children referred to their programs. Currently, they have over 500 children who have been referred for their programs and over 100 who are waiting for a “Big” Brother or Sister.
“Bigs” are interviewed and go through a multi-level clearance check. Prior to being matched, “Bigs” go through a training program. Once matched, BBBSBC staff follow-up with the “Big,” “Little,” their parents/guardians and school counselors to ensure that the match is built on a strong foundation and will be in place for many years to come.
BBBSBC asks volunteers for a 15-month commitment and has a current average match length of 33 months.
BBBSBC has been recognized nationally for the past four years for delivering the highest quality of programs. Their annual fundraisers include Bowl For Kids Sake (March), Golf Fore Kids Sake (June) and Evening for Kids Sake (November).
By volunteering as a mentor or supporting our fundraisers, people can help make a difference in the life of a child.
For more information visit www.bbbsbc.org or call 215-343-8260.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County has announced the appointment of Lou Pellegrino, President and Owner of BP Environmental in Chalfont, to its Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to have Lou joining out Board of Directors,” said Ursula Raczak, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County.
“He has a strong dedication to the youth of Bucks County.” Lou resides in Sellersville, with his wife, Chris.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, in Jamison, was recently awarded the 2012 Gold Standard Award by Big Brothers of Big Sisters of America for being at the top of their class for successfully providing services and increasing revenue.
Staff pictured with the award are: first row (from left), MaryCait Durnin, Joe Morrison, Ursula Raczak, and Kevin Dolton; second row, Jan Solkov, Susan Kennedy, Kerry Moyer, Lauren McAllister, Sue Gelb, Laura Jones, Susan Bartels, Melissa Moyer, Rebecca Jordan, and Maggie Klingseis; third row, Megan Conover, Sarah Hunter, Steve Gourley, Thom McGowan, Pat Milberger, and Toni Schmidt.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC) recently announced the appointment of the Hispanic Advisory Council (HAC) for 2012-13, which will serve the agency’s Hispanic Initiative.
The Hispanic Initiative, established in 2010, matches Hispanic youngsters from the Bucks County community who could benefit from having a mentor with caring adult volunteers.
The Hispanic Advisory Council, now in its second year, is made up of the following members: HAC Chair Rocio Higney, of Doylestown; Recording Secretary Lisa Rickers, of New Hope; Board Liaison Amanda Walsh, of Warminster; Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban, of Doylestown; Robert Grossman, of Doylestown; Terry Hull, of Doylestown; Mariella K. Pesantez, of Fountainville; Peter Rivera, of Easton; Susan Rowles, of Doylestown; and Allison Wright, of Chalfont.
“We are thrilled that eight of the 10 people on the original Hispanic Advisory Council have continued their service into the program’s second year,” said Janice Solkov, Bilingual Case Manager for the Hispanic Initiative.
“Their continued interest is an indicator of the tremendous enthusiasm among the council members, and they, along with new members, are looking forward to ensuring that the Hispanic Initiative serves the mentoring needs of Hispanic Little Brothers and Little Sisters across Bucks County.”
BBBSBC, located in Jamison, is a private, non-profit organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. As the premiere mentoring organization in Bucks County, BBBSBC has 49 years of service to youth. Programs provide quality volunteer and professional services through mentoring and leadership development for youth so they will achieve their highest potential as they grow to become responsible adults.
For more info visit www.bbbs.org/buckscounty.
Leah Sodowick, a senior at Council Rock High School North, and her “Little Sister,” Tori, of Newtown, recently celebrated their match at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County’s annual Volunteer Appreciation event at the Sheraton Bucks County, during which Leah was named High School Big of the Year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC) has announced that John Voce, of New Hope, was recently appointed to its Board of Directors.
Presently, he is a manager at Lockheed Martin Surveillance and Navigations Systems in Newtown. From 2003 to July of 2011, he served as Director for Business Development for Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems in Newtown, and has been with Lockheed Martin in various positions since 1988.
“We are excited to have John join our Board of Directors. John has been matched through our School Based Program since 2009,” said Ursula Raczak, CEO of BBBSBC. “As a board member, he will be able to help us grow our visibility within the corporate community.”
BBBSBC, located in Jamison, is a private, non-profit organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. As the premiere mentoring organization in Bucks County, BBBSBC has over 46 years of service to youth.
Programs provide quality volunteer and professional services through mentoring and leadership development for youth so they will achieve their highest potential as they grow to become responsible adults.
For more info visit www.bbbs.org/buckscounty.
PHOTO CAP: John Voce
Craig Wright, of Furlong, and his Little Brother, John, 18, of Warminster, marked a milestone recently with the staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC). The celebration, held at the BBBSBC office, honored their match of 11 years (one of the longest matches in the Bucks County agency’s history) with certificates of recognition.
With January being National Mentoring Month, the timing of the event couldn’t have been better. Craig and John enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on all the fun they’ve had together over years, though John admitted that it wasn’t always like that at the start.
“I remember crying and saying I missed my mom the first time I met Craig,” said John, now a senior at William Tennant High School in Warminster. “I was only seven-years-old!”
The pair says that their favorite place to go back then was Happy Tymes Family Fun Center in Warrington, where they would bowl and play video games. Other activities the two have enjoyed include snowboarding and attending sporting events – 76ers, Flyers, Phantoms, and Eagles games, outings that were often made possible through tickets donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC) is a donor supported non-profit mentoring organization with over 48 years of service to youth. Located in Jamison, their mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better. Their vision is that all children achieve success in life.
BBBSBC accomplishes this by partnering with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community. Referred by schools, Children & Youth, Juvenile Court and family members, children in our programs range in age from seven to 17.
“Bigs” provide support and guidance through one-on-one relationships that so many children desire. By talking, listening and engaging in productive, fun activities, these adult mentors can ultimately help redirect a child’s future, assisting them in achieving their highest potential as they become adults.
During the 2010/2011 year, the following outcomes were reported by the agency’s Community-based “Bigs” on the anniversary of the match: 82% reported their “Little’s” ability to avoid substance abuse was not a problem; 80% reported an increase in their “Little’s” self confidence; and 72% reported “Littles” improved in their ability to make decisions.
Over the last year, BBBSBC served nearly 1,500 children. With the challenges facing youth today and the current economic climate, BBBSBC has seen a significant increase in the number of children referred to our programs. Currently, they have over 500 children waiting for a “Big” Brother or Sister. Seventy-seven cents of every dollar raised goes back to their programs.
“Bigs” are interviewed and go through a multi-level clearance check. Prior to being matched, “Bigs” go through a training program. Once matched, BBBSBC staff follow-up with the “Big,” “Little,” their parents/guardians, and school counselors to ensure that the match is built on a strong foundation and will be in place for many years to come.
BBBSBC asks volunteers for a 15-month commitment and has a current average match length of 35 months. BBBSBC has been recognized nationally for the past three years for delivering the highest quality of programs.
Their annual fundraisers include Bowl For Kids Sake (March), Golf Fore Kids Sake (June) and Evening for Kids Sake (September). By volunteering as a mentor or supporting these fundraisers, people can help make a difference in the life of a child.
For more information visit www.bbbsbc.org or call 215-343-8260.
Kevin Dolton, of Newtown, was recently appointed President of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC). He is Assistant Vice President / Branch Manager at The First National Bank & Trust of Newtown, where he has worked for 24 years. Kevin has served as Vice President of BBBSBC’s Board of Directors for two years and has been involved with the organization since 1997, as a committee member and later co-chair of the Golf Fore Kids’ Sake annual fundraising event.
“A life-long resident of Bucks County, Kevin will be able to help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County continue to grow and provide mentoring opportunities to more children within the County,” said Ursula Raczak, Chief Executive Officer of BBBSBC. “Kevin has shown a commitment to the children since joining our Board in 2005, and we are thrilled to have him elected as our Board President.”
In addition to his work with BBBSBC, Kevin was President of the Greater Jamison Business Association from 2005 to 2009. He resides in Newtown with his wife Karen.
PHOTO CAP: Kevin Dolton
