Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Hampden County
101 State Street, Suite 601
Springfield, MA 01103-2005
413.781.4730 Tel
Together, we are changing
what it means to grow up in America.
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Verizon Gives Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County School-Based Programs a Boost with a $5,000 Contribution!
From left to right:
Ellen Cummings, Regional Director of External Affairs of Verizon
Beth Russell, Executive Director of BBBS of Hampden County
Ellen Oakes, Big Sister and Verizon Employee
Big Brothers Big Sisters is so grateful for the partnership with Verizon. For years, Verizon has been supporting the agency with a Bowl for Kids' Sake team (thanks to Big Sister Ellen Oakes), with a dollar-for-dollar matching gift of all the money raised by the Verizon team, and also with other donations through their employee volunteerism programs.
This is a company that really knows how to think Big, and BBBS is so proud, thankful, and happy to have them on board with the mission to strengthen our community's future through one-to-one mentoring services to children and youth. Thank you so much for your support!
New Study: Adults Mentored as Children in Big Brothers Big Sisters are Better Educated and Wealthier than Peers!
A study conducted by Harris Interactive finds long-range benefits of the Big Brothers Big Sisters model for one-to-one youth mentoring. Compared to other adults with similar backgrounds but who did not have a Big, adults mentored as children through BBBS are more likely to have a four-year college degree and incomes of $75,000 or more.
Here are some of the study's specific findings:
- Alumni were 75% more likely than non-alumni to have received a four-year college degree
- Alumni were 39% more likely than non-alumni to have current household incomes of $75,000 or higher
- Approximately two in three (64%) alumni are extremely or very satisfied with life compared to just over one in three (35%) non-alumni
BBBS of America Selects a New CEO!
Karen Mathis
On Friday, May 15, 2009, the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) announced the appointment of Karen Mathis as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 15, 2009.
As a former Big Sister, Karen comes to BBBSA with a demonstrated commitment to children and their families. She created the Youth at Risk program for the American Bar Association, she serves as a director on the Board of Volunteers of America, and she is a past board leader for the Mile High Girl Scout Council. This list barely touches upon the wonderful qualifications of BBBSA's new CEO.
Current President & CEO Judy Vredenburgh has been at the helm of BBBS for ten years. According to Vredenburgh, "This is the best job in the world, but it is time for me to return to New York City where my husband lives," Vredenburgh said. "It has been my absolute honor to make a difference in the lives of so many children who with the support of Big Brothers Big Sisters are having greater success in school and in life."
We wish Judy all the best and welcome Karen to the BBBS family!
