From Little Sisters achieving big dreams to the winner of our 31st Annual Car Raffle...it's been a big summer so far!
JULY 2019 ISSUE
From the President & CEO
Dear friends,
I hope you are all enjoying your summer! I love the first step into the cold ocean on a hot summer day, the simple pleasure of eating an ice cream cone, and the look on my nieces’ and nephews’ faces while watching fireworks, catching a wave, or finding a piece of sea glass that sparkles in the light. I’ve also enjoyed riding my bike as I prepare to be a part of Team Big Sister in the Rodman Ride for Kids in September! We asked our staff about their summer favorites and compiled them below.
This summer is an exciting time at Big Sister. Having been at Big Sister Boston for nearly 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of our Big and Little Sister matches and see them grow, navigating life’s changes, challenges, and milestones. One of the first matches I met when I started at Big Sister was Little Sister Thelma and Big Sister Ellen. Thelma was just 13 years old, but had already been matched with Ellen for six years. As Thelma got older, she dreamed of a job in criminal justice and ultimately hoped to work her way onto on the Boston Police force. Now 26 years old, Thelma has realized her dream thanks to hard work and support from her Big Sister, and she graduated from the Boston Police Academy in June.
The sheer joy of Thelma's accomplishment could keep me energized well into the fall, but we've got even more to celebrate. Next week we’re looking forward to presenting a $40,000 check to the winner of this year’s annual Car Raffle, Harry Collings. Harry is a long-time supporter of Big Sister Boston, both as an individual—he’s been purchasing a ticket in our Car Raffle every year since 1998!—and in his role as executive director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority under Mayor Menino. And, on September 5, we will be celebrating our partnership with Allen & Gerritsen at the Boston Business Journal’s Corporate Citizenship Awards. A&G has been deeply invested in Big Sister since 2016 when CEO, Andrew Graff, joined our Board of Directors, and in 2017, when they became our first Workplace Mentoring partner.
Look for our next e-newsletter in September when Big Sister Boston heads back to school. In the meantime, be sure to make plenty of warm, sunny memories to take with you into the fall!
In gratitude,
BBJ Honors A&G + Big Sister Boston Partnership
On September 5, the Boston Business Journal will honor Allen & Gerritsen and Big Sister Boston with their Corporate Citizenship Award.
In January 2017, we launched our first Workplace Mentoring program at A&G, matching girls from Charlestown's Harvard-Kent Elementary School with the women who work at A&G. Every other week throughout the school year, the girls visit A&G's office in the Seaport, where they meet one-on-one with their Big Sisters and enjoy group activities facilitated by our on-site Match Support staff.
"When the Little Sisters come through our doors, a tough day really just goes out the window," said Jordana Connor, Manager of Agency Experience at A&G and a Big Sister.
The Workplace Mentoring program continues on at A&G today and has expanded to partnerships with Fidelity Investments and Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Want to learn more about how your company can get involved? Email Christine Berardino, Associate Director of Site-Based Mentoring.
Dream Comes True for Former Little Sister
When seven-year-old Little Sister Thelma first met Big Sister Ellen, she exclaimed: "Mama says you're going to be my new friend!" What she didn't realize was that Big Sister Ellen would become a friend, mentor, and champion for life.
Nearly 20 years after that first meeting, Big Sister Ellen stood proudly by Thelma's side as her Little Sister realized her dream of graduating from the Police Academy and becoming a Boston Police officer. It all started with a very special phone call...
Meet the Winner of our 31st Annual Car Raffle
Born and raised in Boston's South End and a 30 year veteran of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, some might say that Harry Collings is a Boston institution. On July 25, Harry was the winner of our 31st Annual Car Raffle! Even though Harry had been purchasing tickets in our raffle for more than 20 years, he still thought it was a joke when he got the call from drawing day emcee, Lisa Hughes, of WBZ-TV/CBS Boston.
"That first year, I saw something about the car raffle and went online to see what Big Sister was all about. I was really impressed with the work they were doing empowering and mentoring young girls, so I bought a ticket to support that work," said Harry.
He went on to purchase a ticket every year because "a contribution like this once a year makes a difference."Now he's even getting his family in on it. Harry convinced his nephew to purchase a ticket this year. After finding out about Harry's big win, his nephew joked that maybe next year it would be his turn.
Harry has decided to take the cash, though he said he's always wanted a convertible. He plans to continue purchasing tickets in the years to come.
Staff Picks for Summer
From watching HBO's Big Little Lies to reading Michelle Obama's Becoming, eating grilled corn to walking along the Charles River, here are some of our staff faves for summertime in the city.
Mark Your Calendar
September 21
Rodman Ride for Kids
Join Team Big Sister today!
November 16
Big in Boston: The Remix
Join us as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as we put a new spin on the classic event.
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