Our Little Sisters headed back to school this month, and we're sharing our gratitude for all the school and community partners who help us serve them.
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SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE
From the President & CEO
Dear friends,
September is a joyous and busy time for us at Big Sister Boston as we reconnect our Site-Based Mentoring Little Sisters with their Big Sisters, and create new relationships. Nearly half of our Little Sisters are served in the public schools of Boston, Cambridge, and Quincy through our Site-Based Mentoring program. These school partners are a critical component to providing positive, one-to-one mentoring relationships to Greater Boston’s girls.
As we work together to make and support these relationships, as well as increase access and opportunity, we know that it takes a community of champions and advocates. Part of that community is Big Sister Maggie who, according to her Little Sister Gaelle, makes Gaelle feel listened to and valued, by taking the time to build a trusting relationship with her. It is also our corporate partners, like Encore Boston Harbor, who invests their staff time and resources so that Greater Boston’s girls know that Encore is committed to their success. It is AT&T, who provides expansive opportunities for our Little Sisters to explore their passions. It is Workplace Mentoring partner, Allen & Gerritsen, whose CEO Andrew Graff always says that he “can never be a Big Sister,” but he can show our City’s girls that he, and his staff, believe in them.
We are grateful for all the partnerships—within school walls and beyond them—that are catalysts for girls to dream big, achieve their goals, and be heard.
In gratitude,
Encore volunteers lend a helping hand at our Summer Sister Picnic in August.
Elevating Everett, Elevating Girls and Women
“The City of Boston is fortunate to be rich in corporate resources that can help support the community,” said Windy Pham, Specialist – Community Relations at Encore Boston Harbor, “but cities outside of Boston, like Everett [where Encore is based] don’t necessarily have those large companies to provide resources and create vibrant communities.” Encore opened in Everett with a commitment to investing in its host community. When they learned that Big Sister Boston’s service area includes Everett and the surrounding towns and that we have a significant impact in that footprint annually, they knew that a partnership with us would be a winning bet.
“We focus on improving the communities where we live and work and being a responsible corporate citizen. We want to make a difference in the lives of others by investing in local charitable organizations that improve the quality of life for community residents," said Windy.
Site-Based Mentoring Matches Head Back to School
We serve nearly 800 girls annually through our Site-Based Mentoring program in which we partner with schools and after-school programs to provide one-to-one mentoring relationships to girls on-site.
This month, we're welcoming back our Big and Little Sisters at the following schools and community centers:
Boston Public Schools
Blackstone Innovation School (K-5)
Boston Latin Academy
Eliot Innovation School (K-8)
Gardner Pilot Academy (K-8)
Harvard Kent Elementary School
Jackson Mann School (K-8)
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Josiah Quincy Elementary School
Josiah Quincy Upper School
Maurice J. Tobin School
Paul A. Dever School
Hurley K-8 Elementary School
Thomas Edison K-8 School
Trotter Innovation School
Other Boston Site Partners
Ellis Memorial After-School
Gardner Pilot Academy After-school
Mildred Ave Community Center
Red Oak After-School
Sacred Heart Elementary School
Sumner Elementary Boys & Girls Club
St. Patrick School
West End House Boys & Girls Club
Cambridge Public Schools
King Open School
Martin Luther King, Jr. School
Peabody School
Putnam Avenue Upper School
Quincy Public Schools
Atlantic Middle School
Workplace Mentoring matches who meet with their Big Sisters during the school day at the Big Sister's workplace:
Alexion
Allen & Gerritsen
Fidelity Investments
Little Sister Arleth wraps up a day of production at the Fresh Films Lab in Los Angeles with Big Sister Ann Marie.
Finding Her Voice Through Film
Growing up in Hyde Park, Little Sister Arleth often did not feel heard or understood. Her mother worked long hours and her father had a new family dividing his attention. Arleth spent much of her time with her grandmother, who spoke mostly in Spanish, which was not Arleth’s first language. As a child, Arleth would escape into drawing. She loved cartoons and animated movies. She learned to draw the characters from tutorials on the DVDs she watched. Art was where Arleth felt confident and comfortable.
In the News & On Our Minds
What headlines have our attention this month?
The Boston Globe takes a hard look at the status of women and girls in the current cultural narrative.
The Huffington Post explores if we're ready for a woman president and if we think other Americans are ready for it, too.
BBJ Honors A&G, Big Sister Boston Partnership
On September 5, the Boston Business Journal recognized Allen & Gerritsen and Big Sister Boston with their Corporate Citizenship award. The award recognizes the robust partnership we have built together, specifically around our Workplace Mentoring program. Click the button to read more (you will need a Boston Business Journal subscription to access the article).
Want to Work for a Winning Team?
Do you have a passion for programs that support girls' healthy development? Are you fluent in Spanish and want to work with girls and families who are Spanish-speaking? Are you connected to the community and the resources it offers youth for post-secondary success? We're hiring for exciting careers--apply today or share with your network!
Mark Your Calendar
November 15
Last day to donate to Team Big Sister
in the Rodman Ride for Kids
The Ride may be over, but the opportunity to give continues toward the finish line! BONUS: For every $50 you donate between now and November 1, you will be entered in a mini-raffle to win to two tickets to our gala, Big in Boston: The Remix.
November 16
Big in Boston: The Remix
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Join us at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as we put a new spin on the classic event. New this year: lower ticket price, bigger dance party, surprise guest DJs!
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