From the President & CEODear friends, We know that many children are feeling isolated and alone during this pandemic. Depending on the circumstances of each family, some children are not seeing their friends, other than those showing up on their social feeds. Rather than making youth feel more connected, social posts do the opposite; they reinforce their feelings of isolation. For girls, it’s even more dramatic. A nationwide study found that 78% of fifth through eighth-grade girls feel more lonely and isolated since the pandemic began. Girls tend to feel left out when they see others having fun and now that some girls and their families are connecting with others, this fear of missing out— FOMO—is real; they are missing out. Girls depend on relationships to anchor them and validate their feelings. This is especially true during adolescence when their bodies change and their emotions are heightened. As adults, we can’t take the place of adolescent friends, but we can reach out and check in on the youth in our life. It can be as simple as sending a funny meme by text, sharing a story or calling to check-in. The method matters less than the action. Right now, in the
absence of physical contact, girls need this connection. Our Big Sisters are staying in touch with their Little Sisters in every and any way possible. They, too, don’t replace the friends in a girl’s life, but each is a caring adult friend who has taken an interest in a girl. They have, over time, developed a relationship that is consistent and enduring; girls share their feelings, their fears and their hopes, knowing that their Big Sister will listen. We all feel the isolation of not being with friends. Let girls know that you also feel the isolation, and that this, like other challenges, will come to an end. We are all giving up short-term rewards for the long-term health of our community. Let’s be sure girls know that they are not alone. In gratitude,
Suzanne Ogden, former Big Sister and winner of our 32nd Annual Car Raffle
Former Big Sister Wins Car RaffleThanks to the generosity of our Big Sister Boston community, this year’s Car Raffle sold a remarkable 1,740 tickets, including the two tickets purchased by our big winner, Suzanne Ogden. Suzanne, who opted for the cash prize, is a Cambridge resident, professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science at Northeastern University, and…a former Big Sister! She volunteered with us in the late 1970s and was a Big Sister to a “spunky, really terrific” 12 year-old girl in Arlington. Although she has purchased tickets in our Car Raffle for many years, to support our mission, Suzanne was surprised to hear that she won the raffle. “I am stunned! In all my many decades, I have never won anything, not so much as a pancake breakfast!” she said. Suzanne bought two tickets this year because she knew that Little Sisters and their families were in need of extra support during this difficult time. “Programs like yours really make a difference,” she said. “I know that from my first-hand experience.”
Ariel FitzHugh, Director of Our Big Futures
Program Notes:
The Future Is BrightIn March 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, we successfully launched our newest program: Our Big Futures (OBF), which provides Little Sisters ages 14-24 with individualized coaching and connects them to resources to achieve sustainable financial independence. A three-year investment from American Student Assistance enabled us to hire a Director of OBF to provide professional coaching to mentees and collaborate with area nonprofits and corporations to connect participants to programs, internships, and additional resources to achieve their goals. With over 300 Little Sisters in the age-range to be eligible for OBF, we can leverage our years of supporting their mentoring relationships and our holistic understanding of girls’ assets, interests, and challenges to
help mentees, mentors, and caregivers navigate the post-secondary landscape. Ariel FitzHugh, the Director of Our Big Futures, works with Little Sisters in this program to provide individualized coaching, connect Little Sisters with college- and career-focused enrichment programs and opportunities, and facilitate access to higher education scholarship support. Previous to her role at Big Sister Boston, Ariel worked as a youth center director. While there she was connected to a woman who ran Diversity & Equity trainings for children and teenagers, whom she considers a mentor. “I learned so much from her. The encouragement she offered over the past few years has really helped me build a stronger sense of self and in turn more confidence.” Ariel said what attracted her to the Director position was the mission to help Little Sisters achieve financial independence, which she describes as “a bold and powerful feat.” She said that so far the Little Sisters participating in OBF are most interested in job placement and career advancement opportunities, funding for post-secondary education, and financial literacy coaching. “Time and time again it is said that one's network is pivotal when navigating your career and seeking out opportunities for advancement. Every last one of our Little Sisters needs to know that they are part of Big Sister Boston’s robust
professional network and we are here to ensure that they get every accessible opportunity and resource it can afford,” said Ariel.
When asked about her vision for the future of the program, Ariel said: “Our hope is that Big Sister Boston is able to secure ongoing resources to provide one-on-one coaching, job placement, and career advancement opportunities to the girls and young women we serve. Our Big Futures was developed out of an identified need to provide them direct access to Big Sister Boston’s network and the tools to leverage that access to move them progressively toward financial independence. Little Sisters are tomorrow’s Big Sisters and we are 100% invested in their
futures.” If you have a paid internship opportunity for a Little Sister at your company or can connect our Little Sisters with scholarship resources, or if you simply want to learn more about Our Big Futures, please contact Ariel at afitzhugh@bigsister.org.
Former Big Sister and Diversity Board member, Nikki Harrison was matched with her Little Sister Carolyn 30 years ago.
Diversity Board Summer Series Was Hot!Our Diversity Board, whose mission is to engage more women of color in our work to better reflect the diversity of the girls we serve, has been (virtually) everywhere this summer! Over the past two months our Diversity Board held its Summer Series, that kicked off with members co-hosting a successful online info session for women interested in becoming Big Sisters. The session yielded 47 volunteer inquiries. The Board then held a virtual SOCA cardio-kickboxing class that raised heart rates and funds in support of our programs. The Diversity Board rounded out the Summer Series with a virtual activity for Big and Little Sisters where they learned
all the latest Tik Tok dances from choreographer Kiana Weary. The activity even produced a new informal mentoring relationship between Kiana and a Little Sister who is interested in a choreography career. “Representation matters,” said Big Sister Boston staffer and Diversity Board President, Courtney Leonard. “The Diversity Board’s initiatives are about the bigger picture of creating spaces and opportunities that are building a Big Sister community that is reflective of the young people we serve, and more deeply connecting the organization to the communities where our Little Sisters live.”
Representation and connection to community were also themes in the story shared by former Big Sister and Diversity Board member Nikki and her Little Sister Carolyn. The two were matched 30 years ago when both were living in Mattapan and their relationship continues on today as strong as ever. Hear more from them in their video message.
Mark Your CalendarAUGUST 25
Become a Big Sister Info Session
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Online // Click here to register Want to learn more about becoming a Big Sister or know a woman who does? Register today for our virtual info session and find out how you can be a part of something...even when we're apart. NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26
Join Team Big Sister in the Virtual Rodman Ride for Kids
Online // Click here to register This year's Rodman Ride for Kids has gone virtual and that means the possibilities are endless as a member of Team Big Sister! Walk, run, or ride around your neighborhood to raise funds or create your own activity. We're here to help you with fundraising tips and tricks that you need to succeed. Register to be a part of Team Big Sister today. SEPTEMBER
30
Big in Boston: Girls Take the Mic
Online // Registration opens on August 26--check your inbox for the e-vite! This year’s Big in Boston is a party-in-place virtual celebration that will include stories of impact and special surprises. You will gain a deeper understanding of the one-to-one mentoring relationships we make and support and how the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified inequities in our community and put a spotlight on the social isolation
of girls. You’ll know: why girls, why Big Sister Boston, why now. Join us as we amplify the voices of our Little Sisters and their families, Big Sisters, staff and partners. We may be apart from each other, but you can still be a part of something BIG.
|