Dear Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Family,
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) wants to take the time to acknowledge all our volunteers and families for their resilience and unity during these times of healthcare uncertainty and societal unrest. Big Brothers Big Sisters wants you as well as the world to know that we as an organization denounce all racism, inequality, and police brutality.
At this historic moment, when change can be felt, what actions can Big Brothers Big Sisters take to strengthen and elevate our work with youth?
First, we must take every opportunity to continue to denounce racism, bigotry, inequality and prejudice. Defending potential means we openly and consistently address the systemic barriers children face. Racism is part of the trauma in many young lives. We must name it and act upon it every single day.
Second, we will create trainings for our volunteer Bigs and our BBBS staff members across the country so that they can be best equipped to talk to their Littles about this prevalence of violence and racism. We don’t want to compound trauma in our youth by being ill-equipped or misinformed on how to best support our Littles.
Third, this is an opportunity to examine and improve upon our Bigs with Badges program. This program is designed to develop strong one-to-one relationships between police officers and our Littles. The vision of the program is to provide a structure within our mission to help disarm bigotry, racism, and preconceived stereotypes at all levels. It is connecting police officers to the young people they serve, for a better appreciation of communities, families, and the adverse conditions many live with every day. In turn the Littles and their families have the opportunity to interact with a law enforcement officer outside of their duties and realize that they are normal, caring people who want to spread some good in the world. We are working on ways this important program can be improved and towards that end, we will examine how we can be advocates for change in our local communities and how this program can better serve young people.
Fourth, we will engage in a dialogue with each of our funding partners to ensure that our respective values on racial justice and equity are aligned. We are an inclusive and equitable organization that values everyone from our staff to board members, donors and especially volunteers, and Littles. Our partners must embrace the differences and the uniqueness of all people who will help support our organization in building bridges and igniting, empowering, and defending the potential of the youth we serve. All of us as human beings are works in progress; learning, evolving, and changing. We must leverage this moment in our nation’s history to make progress together.
This is just the beginning of what Big Brothers Big Sisters can accomplish. The list will expand as all of you, individually and collectively, add to the ideas that can be implemented. “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
As always, it is an honor to work with all of you. We have all been given this opportunity to lead and defend the potential of all youth, and to stand against racism, bigotry and prejudice to help make our country a place where there truly is liberty and justice for all.
Onward,
Dimitrius Stone
Chief Executive Officer – Big Brother to Hyland since 2013
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area (BBBS) knows that right now is a hard time for our community in the Sacramento, Yolo, and Placer counties. Many individuals and organizations aren’t able to give and those who are, are giving to COVID-19 and disaster relief efforts. Smaller non-profits, like BBBS, rely on the donations we receive from individuals and organizations throughout the year or through events that we’ve had to be cancel to ensure the safety of our Littles, Bigs, their families, and our staff. Due to this, BBBS wants to provide you with information on how to support organizations such as ours during these hard times.
Work Place Giving
Workplace giving is a great and easy way to donate to BBBS! Whether you pledge $1 or $50 per paycheck, your donation is unrestricted funding that helps us support meaningful one to one mentorships in your community. As an added bonus, it is tax deductible and many organizations offer a matching gift! To learn more about workplace giving, check with your HR department to learn if your employer has this option through United Way, Benevity, or other organizations.
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is the easiest way to give at no cost to the donor! When you buy anything on Amazon or Amazon Prime, use Amazon Smile, and .5% of your purchase goes to the charity of your choice. Follow the instructions below to learn more:
Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
Order items as usual, and .5% of your purchase goes to that charity.
Smilematic is a free plug-in that automatically turn your everyday Amazon purchases into Amazon Smile donations. This extension supports Edge, Safari, Firefox, & Chrome. Click here for more information.
Big Day of Giving
Last year, we raised over $15,000 on Sacramento’s Big Day of Giving (BDOG)! This year BDOG is on May 7th. Given the current situation, we are hoping to bring in $10,000. And every bit helps! Please consider donating $5 -$50 to help BBBSGreaterSac keep their doors open to support and create meaningful mentorships that help the youth in your community reach their full potential! You can create a scheduled payment or pledge in our BDOG profile!
Give Directly
If you have the means, please consider donating directly to BBBS. You can give a donation through our website: Donate Here. Or mail a check to our location: 3001 J Street, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95816
Host a BBBS Fundraiser
If your organization is willing and able to organize a fundraiser or an event for our matches with BBBS, please reach out to us through at info@bbbs-sac.org or 916-646-9300.
Conclusion
Our thoughts go out to our community and all those who are struggling. We will get through this together. We are so grateful for your continued commitment and support of our vision that all youth achieve their full potential and help build interpersonal skills, avoid risky behaviors, and reach educational success!
I am in awe of the supportive messages we’ve received from national affiliates of BBBS and friends of BBBS-Greater Sacramento. It further illustrates what I’ve known all along, volunteer Big Brothers & Big Sisters are a special collection of some of the most good hearted and generous people on earth. These are difficult times for all of us and unfortunately it looks to just be the beginning.
We hope to provide match support and special offerings for outings as soon as it is safe for our community. Until then, we are in survival mode.
As much as possible, through email and social media posts we have provided ways for Big Brothers and Big Sisters to stay in touch with their Littles and families during this time of social distancing. We will continue to do so. I also want to be as transparent as possible about our financial stability. On Wednesday of last week, I had to lay off 50% of our staff. This is never an easy thing to do. Unfortunately, we are a nonprofit. As such, we are not sitting on a ton of liquid assets nor cash reserves in the event of a crisis or substantial decline in donations. If county, state and nationwide shelter in place directives stay in force for even a few more weeks than predicted it would continue to prevent us from being able to hold fundraisers and negatively impact the ability for even the most giving and generous amongst us to donate or pledge money to support our mission. The unfortunate consequence would have a huge impact on our ability to make payroll and keep our support staff.
Hours and hours were spent pouring over potential scenarios. Cutting payroll was the obvious answer that kept staring us in the face and is the only way to buy us time and give Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento a fighting chance to regroup, restructure and rebound stronger than ever once we all get through this crisis together. Thanks to recent Executive Orders regarding unemployment benefits as they related to businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19, our staff will be able to obtain the financial assistance they need much more quickly.
BBBS Sacramento will be prepared and ready to bounce back providing match support more than ever as soon as we can. We hope that you and your families are safe and healthy during these times. If you are in a position to donate and allow us to continue with our small staff working from home, please do so by visiting our website: www.bbbs-sac.org.
In Service,
Dimtrius Stone
CEO
Sacramento County health officials yesterday afternoon called on all residents, not just the elderly, to stay home effective immediately unless they have essential chores to do, such as grocery shopping, banking, food pickups, or health appointments. As such, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area asks all Big Brothers/Sisters, families, and volunteers at this time to please cancel/postpone any scheduled outings with your Littles until further notice. We will reassess proper next steps during the first week of April and send another update out to everyone on how best to proceed with outings or if we will continue to ask that they be postponed. In the meantime, we encourage all Bigs to be creative in staying connected to your Little in whatever way you feel most comfortable, are able to, and can do. Whether that be calling your Little, Facetiming with them, etc. There are lots of creative ways to stay connected so we encourage you to do so.
We are heeding the advice of public health officials, who believe this is what we as a community need to do to limit the number of community members who could be exposed to the illness and prevent our health care system from the real possibility of being overwhelmed. At the advice of the same public health officials, we encourage everyone in the BBBS Sacramento family to get outdoors for fresh air and exercise, when possible, as long as it’s a safe distance from others.
We appreciate your support and understanding during this unprecedented time. Please contact us at 916-646-9300 or info@bbbs-sac.org with any questions you may have.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento area is committed to keeping our Bigs, Littles, families, employees and supporters healthy and safe. We are currently taking steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
As families, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and volunteers of our program, we want to communicate openly with you about our procedures, plans and general tips for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
In effect now:
Be sure to review and follow the California Department of Health COVID-19 updates and recommendations here: Link
Thank you for your continued support of the BBBSGreaterSac mission and all you do to defend potential in our community.
Sincerely,
Dimtrius Stone
CEO
Big Brother Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento has over 150 children that are patiently waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Some children in our program have waited upwards to two years for a trusted adult mentor. Next Tuesday, join us on our quest to end the mentorship wait for Sacramento’s youth by helping us reach our Giving Season goal of $15,000!
According to Kids Data, 27.2% of children, in Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo counties, are living with a single parent (24%), a relative (2.5%) or have no parents are relatives present (.8%). Although our local agency is proud of our accomplishment of garnering 207 active matches this year, the data reveals we’re merely scratching the surface of need, as our program is only serving .04% of these critical populations.
Our mission in 2020 is to work together with our peer networks, local community, and volunteers to defend the power and promise of our youth.
In 2019, we increased enrolled volunteer mentors by 53%, matching 72 children with mentors, generating a total of 207 matches. Our agency has yielded tremendous growth in 2019 and in 2020 we plan to set our sights even higher, as we work to grow our volunteer base and work to increase the number of families we serve in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties.
Funds received next Tuesday will power our growing workforce, allow us to engage with community partners in new, unprecedented ways, and most importantly, widen our reach as we focus on attracting volunteer mentors.
December 3rd is your day to put Sacramento’s youth first by supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Here are a few ways you can support our critical mission on #GivingTuesday:
We hope that you will partner alongside our agency as we work to make a sizable impact on the power and promise of Sacramento’s youth. Learn more about Big Brother Big Sister of the Greater Sacramento Area, how we bring value to our local community, and how easy it is become a volunteer mentor!
On Friday, October 25, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento celebrated 55 years of service in the Greater Sacramento community. The 55th Anniversary Celebration, presented by Hughey Phillips LLP, welcomed over 400 supporters, partners and friends to the Elks Tower Event Center in downtown Sacramento to celebrate our profound impact in the Sacramento region.
The evening started with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and a live band – Music City Legends – serenading the room. Former Big Brothers Big Sisters Board President and longtime advocate Monica Woods, of ABC 10, guided our guests, as emcee, through the evening and Kelly Brothers, of Genovese Burford & Brothers, lead our live auction.
From left-to-right, top-to-bottom: Monica Woods; Kelly Brothers; Reese Scherber, BBBS CEO; and Sean Filippini, BBBS Board Chairman.
Reese, Scherber, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area, welcomed guests and paid tribute to Hughey Phillips LLP as our presenting sponsor, honorees, past board members in attendance, and the current Board of Directors. Former Big Brother of the Year and current Board Chairman, Sean Filippini of Downey Brand LLP, shared insight on recent success with the agency and goals for 2020.
One of our long-standing and most inspirational matches, Little Brother, Imari and Big Brother, James took to the stage to reveal how the organization has aided in their match development, sharing some heartfelt details about their relationship and how it’s grown over the years. Imari also revealed to guests how his Big Brother, James was with him when he learned of his mother’s passing. James’ presence and support proved invaluable as Imari grieved his mother’s loss.
From left-to-right, from top-to-bottom: Little Brother, Imari and Big Brother, James; Keynote speaker, Sabin Lomac; Melissa (mother of Alivia) and Little Sister, Alivia.
Our keynote speaker, Sabin Lomac, Co-Founder of Maine Cousins Lobster food trucks, took to the stage and shared his story of overcoming adversity as a troubled child to now operating over 20 Cousins Maine Lobster food trucks nationwide – crediting Big Brothers Big Sisters as the organization that changed the trajectory of his life and career. Towards the end of the program Little Sister, Alivia and Big Sister, Jennifer also took to the podium and shared their experiences being matched. Alivia made it very clear this was her first time doing any public speaking, and she loved it!
We would be remiss if the evening didn’t pay homage to Larrie and Diane Grenz and Pacific Coast Building Products, Inc. Larrie and Diane Grenz have been involved with our agency for over 50 years and have helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to advance our mission. Larrie was Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1971 to 1972 and from 1977 to 1978. Both Larrie and Diane have worked tirelessly over the years in support of BBBS and have helped the organization bloom beautifully, so it was fitting to recognize their extraordinary commitment for our 55th Anniversary Celebration.
Over the years, Pacific Coast Building Products, Inc., has proven themselves to be one of our most committed of supporters and our local agency wouldn’t be celebrating 55 years of service without their involvement! It was our pleasure to honor the leadership of David Lucchetti, Pacific Coast Building Products CEO, and their phenomenal employees unwavering commitment to BBBS!
From left-to-right, top-to-bottom: Larrie and Diane Grenz; David Luchetti; John Whitfield, BBBS Board Member; Scott Myers; Stephanie Madsen, BBBS Board Member; Reese Scherber, BBBS CEO; Todd Aquilina; Phil Cunningham; Charles Trainor; and Robert Rivinius.
During the dinner portion of the evening, our guests were treated with a first look at our new “BBBS Impact Commitment” video! A warm thank you to KJ2 Productions for capturing how we inspire hope for our youth in the Greater Sacramento region!
Thanks to generous supporters, sponsors and friends, the 55th Anniversary Celebration raised nearly $247,000! Our critical mission would not be possible without the help of our generous community.
The funds raised help ignite the potential of our youth, including the 150 Little’s waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister!
The 55th Anniversary Celebration was made possible only with the support of our community. A warm thank you to our sponsors Hughey Phillips LLP; Wells Fargo Bank; KJ2 Productions; Quest Technology Management; Downey Brand LLP ; SAFE Credit Union; US Bank; Western Health Advantage; and Allstate Insurance.
View the BBBS 55th Annual Celebration photo gallery.
Through Nov. 17, join Macy’s Sacramento Downtown Commons and Broadway On Tour’s presentation of A Christmas Story, The Musical in supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area this holiday season by donating gently used clothes or new, unwrapped toys.
The songwriting team behind the smash hit Tony Award®-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the Academy Award®-winning film “La La Land” brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.”
Broadway On Tour’s presentation will run from Nov. 8 to Nov. 17 with an on-site donation box for toy and clothing donations. Items can also be dropped off at Macy’s Sacramento Downtown Commons, on the 2nd floor at the My Stylist @Macy’s Office.
