October
November
December
2016
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County Newsletter
Mission:
W
E
L
C
O
M
E
F
A
L
L
Greetings from our
New Executive
Director
The BBBS mission is to provide
children facing adversity with strong
and enduring, professionally
supported 1-to-1 relationships that
change their lives for the better,
forever.
It is with extreme pride that I
Vision:
have accepted the position as the
BBBS vision is that all children
new Executive Director of Big
achieve success in life.
Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson
County, replacing the retiring Bruce Van Eyck. I am
Board of Directors:
honored to become the eighth person to serve in this
Sharon Rouse - President
capacity covering the forty-nine years that our non-profit Jerard Jarzynka - Vice-President
has provided service to the youth of our area. In my
Kathy Alexander - Secretary
Gary Swartzlander - Treasurer
short time I have been extremely impressed with the
William Baird - Trustee
dedication of our Board, Staff, Volunteers and Program
Jennifer Cronkhite - Trustee
supporters. Together we look forward to our golden
Garrett Dowell—Trustee
anniversary in 2017, marking 50 years of partnership
Daniel Hyliard -Trustee
with parents/guardians, volunteers, schools and other
Lynn
Kenworthy—Trustee
community members that are coordinating best practices
Faruk
Pilav—Trustee
to improve the lives of our youth.
Steve Sukta—Trustee
~Tony Hollow, Executive Director
Gary Swartzlander—Trustee
William White—Trustee
Contact Us:
Tony Hollow,
Executive Director
[email protected]
Diane Armeli,
Finance Director
[email protected]
Karen Smith,
Enrollment Support/Admin.
[email protected]
Melissa Laird,
Match Specialist
[email protected]
Andrea Parshall,
CB Match Specialist
[email protected]
Rose Kimble
Experience Works Volunteer
BBBSJACKSONMI
Big News
Page 2 of 8
Annual Picnic:
Our Annual Picnic was held Wednesday, August 3rd held at Cascades Park, Urban Fisheries Pond, and was
another nice success! Once again, we extend a “Big” thank you to Mr. Amanati’s Frosty Boy for such great tasting
ice cream. What an awesome donation!!! This year the games included a water balloon toss, three-legged race,
sack race, watermelon eating contest, but the favorite activity of the day was of course the infamous Tug-of-War
contest to see who were going to be the winners.. but of course, the “Littles” were the winners that day, and every
day, thanks to the generous support of our “Bigs”, Volunteers, Fundraisers, Board Members and staff. Finally, we
want to extend a “Big” thank you to the Kohls Cares Employees, Miss Jackson County Rose Queen, Myesha Jones
and select Rose Queen Candidates, as well as, the Executive Director for the Jackson County Rose Queen
Pageant, Lynda Waldron, that helped out at our picnic. All of these wonderful volunteers helped with games,
food preparation and clean up! Again, we thank each and every one of you!!
EARN & LEARN PLANNING CALENDAR
January 26, 2017
February 23, 2017
March 23, 2017
April 27, 2017
May 25, 2017
Earn & Learn
Earn & Learn
Earn & Learn
Earn & Learn
Earn & Learn
Theme:
Theme:
Theme:
Theme:
Theme:
Self Confidence
&
Self Defense
Physical Wellness
Skating &
Zumba
Reading Month
Environmental
Wellness
Drug Prevention
Month
Big News
When
Page 3 of 8
go riding, & black cats
seen, the moon laughs &
, ‘tis near
!
Spooktackular Party!
All witches, ghosts, ghouls and goblins are welcome
to celebrate this year’s Halloween with us! Come
dressed in your best costume for a fun time of
snacks, games, activities & costume contest!!!
Thursday, October 27th, 2016 5:30-7:00pm
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
309 S. Jackson St., Jackson, MI 49201
Please Join Us October 27th From
5:30—7pm For a Night of
Bewitching Fun!
We’ll get the bird, you bring the fixin’s and we’ll all give thanks together!
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
6:00-8:00pm
Jackson First Church of the Nazarene, 3905 Clinton Rd.
Breakfast with Santa
For years Santa has made a special visit to Jackson to visit
with our Bigs and Littles before Christmas… this year is no
exception! Join us for pancakes & sausage, activities, and
Santa’s recitation of
‘Twas the night before Christmas
Saturday, December 10, 2016
9:30am-11:00am
First United Methodist Church, 275 W. Michigan Ave.
Let us know if you’ll be joining us
Call the office at 517-784-7181 to RSVP!
Please RSVP if you will be joining us! 517-784-7181
Big News
Page 4 of 8
Community & Site Based Matches
October
Community Based
Dave Sauceda Jr. & Tim *6 yrs.*
Haley Lambright & Makayla*4 yrs.*
Faruk Pilav & Rocco *4 yrs.*
PJ Hoffman & Cameron*3 Yrs.*
Nathan Horton & Braeden* 2 Yrs.*
Arthur Turner & Gabriel* Yr.*
Robert Albertson & Corey *8 Yrs.*
Site Based
DV Rao & Tyler *6 Yrs.*
Vonna Halladay & Azaria *4 Yrs.*
Jennifer Cronkhite & Kiarra *3 Yrs.*
Matt Buckley & Gauge *1 Yr.*
Sydney Davis & Akaysha *1 Yr.*
Pam Maynard & Alejandra *1 Yr.*
Lindsey Grubb & Hannah *1 Yr.*
Mary Miller & Maya *1 Yr.*
November
Community Based
Anne Erven & Kaitlyn *8 Yrs.*
Kattie Donohue & Daysha *5 Yrs.*
Christina Martoia & Alexus *4 Yr.*
Therese Sherwood & Andrea *4 Yrs.*
Jessica Scott & Ti’Keshia *4 Yrs.*
Patrick Klavon & Jacob *2 Yrs.*
Allegra Ward & Brandy *1 yr.*
Gabrielle Hope Thelan & Jalaya *1 Yr.*
Thomas Burke & Jyrous *1 Yr.*
Orin Warner & Charles *1Yr.*
Gilbert Blanks & Jordan *1 Yr.*
Laura Messer & Alyssa *1 Yr.*
Bethany Schaefer & Analee *1 Yr.*
Site Based
Gerald Walmsley & Boyd *7 Yrs.*
Ken Jones & Michael *5 Yrs.*
Mary Miller *1 Yr.*
December
Community Based
Rhonda Rudolph & Madeline *4 Yrs.*
Jennifer Bates & Analisa *1 Yr.*
Site Based
Terry Wineland & Hunter *4 Yrs.*
Page 5 of 8
Big News
Community Based Match Spotlight
Autumn Community Based Match Spotlight
Mike & Ashton are celebrating their 1st year matched in September of
this year! Since being matched, they have both faced extreme personal
struggles and life changes, but have only built a stronger relationship through
addressing those things. Ashton lives with his Mom and sister with their
Grandmother right now.
Ashton is entering the 7th grade and achieving academic success
is going to require a holistic approach. Understanding that each
academic subject can require a different skill and having ideas
about how to achieve them can be empowering to a Littles long
term success. If one way of learning isn’t working, you can try
another! Ashton appreciates the fact that his Big Brother is willing
to help him whenever he asks, but shared that he really relies on him to be
someone who will listen.
Relationships with positive adult role models can impact not only the academic success of a young
person in school, but their health as well. Building healthy relationships, improving soft skills, forming
goals, avoiding delinquency and initiation of drug use, understanding
community investment, supporting self-sufficiency and promoting
self-esteem are all things that having a mentor can impact. These things
change the lives of our young people through friendship.
Friendship is a protective factor that can not be duplicated
through any other method. This is why Big Brothers Big
Sisters has achieved long term success since 1904!
Ashton and Mike have built their friendship through
spending time enjoying their similar interests. They spend
time playing together. They enjoy golf, fishing, drones, and
lots of outdoor activities. Ashton struggles with self-esteem,
establishing long term goals, and remaining positive; however
he and Ashton have established a trusting committed relationship which will be key to
making a difference long term in Ashton’s success.
Ashton has gotten to know Mike’s family and feels like he is important to Mike. Hope is
something that grows from a seed. Mike is helping Ashton to plant the
seeds that are just right for him!
Melissa Laird, Match Specialist
Page 6 of 8
Big News
Join us again this year for another great dinner and show.
Start Something!
Big News
Page 7 of 8
Christmas Party
Breakfast With Santa!
Don’t miss our annual Christmas Breakfast with Santa December 10th, 2016 at the
First United Methodist Church from 9:30am-11am. Pancakes and sausage served
by volunteers along with activities to do for the children. Bring the following
nomination form to vote for Big of the Year which will be awar ded at the
Mentor Appreciation Breakfast Jan. 28th 2017 or mail the application to our office.
Show appreciation to: your Big!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County
Big Of The Year 2016 Nomination Form
My name is ______________________________________________________ and I would like to nominate
_________________________________________ as Big Brother/Big Sister (circle one) of The Year
for Community Based / Site Based (circle one) because:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Please, if you are able, email this form back to Match Specialist Andrea Parshall ([email protected])
or Melissa Laird ([email protected]).
PLEASE BRING YOUR FORM TO THE CHRISTMAS PARTY ON DECEMBER 10th, or send to our office at:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County *Mark your calendar, Mentor Appreciation Breakfast, 1/28/2017*
536 N. Jackson St., Jackson, MI 49201
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Jackson County, Inc.
536 N. Jackson St.
P.O. Box 1802
Jackson, MI 49204
(517) 784-7181
www.bbbsjackson.org
START SOMETHING!
BBBSJACKSONMI
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Jackson, MI
Permit No. 84