New BISSness Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success Update

by administrator Comment Closed
Welcome back to the kickoff of another exciting year! We are so grateful for your participation in the BISS program, formerly Bigs in Schools and Sites, which is now called Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success! All of our Littles are looking forward to spending time with you again and all of the new opportunities you will make available to them. We can’t wait to hear about all the fun activities and accomplishments you and your little ones make together at your monthly Match Support! Thank you to all of our Bigs who respond each month promptly, as these match support are required by the Department of Education, and your promptness is necessary to help us meet their expectations. For those Bigs returning from previous years, we have a new program available to you; we have added an enhanced school-based opportunity which will allow you greater flexibility in contracting and arranging activities with your Little outside of the school environment and beyond the usual allowances...
Read More

Match Spotlight: Patrick & Andrew

by administrator Comment Closed
Every day we meet new people having no idea the role they will play in our lives. This is much like what happens when a Big is matched with a Little, you never really know the end outcome. Patrick and Andrew were reached about four years ago. Their match has technically closed due to Patrick relocating for Grad school, but that has done little to halt their friendship. “Andrew and I plan on staying friends for life. “ Patrick says he initially wanted to become a Big because of his own experience as a child of divorce, “I was fortunate that my mother met a wonderful man, who became an amazing step-father and friend to me. So many children, however, aren’t presented with opportunities and advantages that I had myself.” Though Patrick and Andrew have done many activities together, “the most memorable times have been talking to him mano a mano, about life, and the world, and people, and trying to...
Read More

Attn. Parents: National Mentoring Month

by administrator Comment Closed
As part of our recruiting efforts for National Mentoring Month, we are trying to attract as many volunteers as possible to match with the children on our waiting list.  To help increase efforts of pairing matches, we would like to personalize our campaign by featuring pictures of potential Littles on our waiting list onto the website and newsletter. Presently, we do not have enough mentors to meet the needs of all of our children effectively. Our vision is to provide mentors to all the children in our program that wants one.  Therefore, we are requesting from all parents of the children on our waiting list, photo submissions of their child or children in order to captivate the interest of potential volunteers and elicit their readiness in becoming mentors.  By publishing this promotion, viewers can place a face of a child benefiting from having a Big Brother or Big Sister.  It is our intention to get as many applicants as possible so...
Read More

Community Leader: Jeremy Staun

by administrator Comment Closed
Here at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Nationwide is “on our side” as we are proud to recognize board member, Jeremy Staun, AVP/Nationwide. Staun moved from Iowa to Gainesville with his wife and two young daughters 18 months ago. He states that Gainesville has been very welcoming and the transition has been quite easy on both him and his family. They love the small town atmosphere, warm weather, the proximity to beautiful beaches and Disney World, and of course all the excitement from sporting events that come from living in the Gator Nation! After moving to Gainesville, Staun claims that many people talked with him about the importance of getting involved with the Gainesville community. After spending some time looking at different charities, he came across an opening in Big Brothers Big Sisters and his heart was set. He remembers being involved with his local Big Brother Big Sisters in high school and how rewarding it was to be involved in such...
Read More

November Community Leader: Daniel Walkup D.M.D. PA

by administrator Comment Closed
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida has much to be thankful for, not only during the Thanksgiving season, but year-round.  Our community is full of generous people who give freely to our Littles and their families. This November, we would like to focus our spotlight on one story in particular. When one of our Bigs told dental assistant Jessica Davis that his Little’s teeth needed some attention, she went straight to Dr. Daniel Walkup. Dr. Walkup and his staff – Jessica, Karen, Sandy, Michelle and Erika – gladly agreed to perform a number of extractions and cavity fillings at no charge to the Little’s family. Dr. Walkup expressed only kind words in regards to the Little, stating that he was a “nice, well-mannered young man and it was a privilege to meet him.”  The dentist called BBBS a blessing to children and the community. While Dr. Walkup was blessed with guidance from both his parents growing up, he expressed his concern...
Read More

October Community Leader: Dr. Stephanie Evans

by administrator Comment Closed
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ambassador Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans emphatically stated that the mentoring organization is vital. “As is the case all over the nation,” she said, “kids need help.” “You can tell the level of a civilization by how you treat your children.” She further explained how programs such as the ones that BBBS provides are important to democracy: “To have hungry kids or undereducated kids or children with no mentors is a contradiction to all the things we claim we are.” Dr. Evans left her desk to read pieces of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s last will and testament, which is framed on her wall. She spoke the words with meaning. “We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.” These ideas influence Dr. Evans work. She is the Director of African American Studies and an Associate Professor of African...
Read More

Community Spotlight: Barzella Papa

by administrator Comment Closed
Community Leader: Barzella Papa This month’s spotlight turns to Barzella Papa, president and CEO of the Gainesville Community Foundation. She is also a wife and mother-of-two, who has lived in Gainesville for 12 years. Ms. Papa graduated from the University of Alabama with a BA in Communications where she won several local and national awards for her writings and worked for several years at Southern Living and Time Life Books. Papa is also board member for the Ronald McDonald House, University of Florida Performing Arts, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare and Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is also the past president of the Junior League of Gainesville. GCF, founded in 1998, exists to promote and facilitate philanthropy, and to strengthen relationships between charitable organizations and donors. The foundation raises funds and acts as stewards of money reserved in endowments. Papa believes that community foundations are the fastest growing facet of philanthropy. She said to think of them as saving accounts. At a time of need,...
Read More

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

by administrator Comment Closed
Privacy Policy Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida is committed to safeguarding the online privacy of our users, and recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information collected.We use the information you provide about yourself when placing an order only to complete that order. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete that order through shipment and delivery of the product. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete that order. We use return email addresses to answer the email we receive. Such addresses are not shared with outside parties. Finally, we never use, sell or share the personally identifiable information provided to us online in ways unrelated to the ones described above. Our Commitment To Data Security: To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard...
Read More