“Dough” Raised for Our Kids!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County (BBBSEC) received a grant of $37,950 from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to upgrade the organization’s outdated technology. Professional case management is critical to creating safe and long-lasting mentoring relationships. This technology upgrade strongly enhances the ability for BBBSEC’s professional case management to support and accurately document these relationships. “We were so very pleased to have the support of the foundation for a request that is very unique for an agency like ours,” shared Thomas Guagliardo, CEO of BBBSEC. “Our organization provides relationship support to hundreds of mentoring matches. To properly track these relationships and record outcomes, it’s very important we have a technology system that is up to date and efficient. Unfortunately, these are not the types…

With the generous support of our community, the lives of over 400 children were impacted by a Big Brother or Big Sister in 2016. It is our pleasure to share with you our Annual Report that includes: A Special Story about a 10-Year Friendship Update on our expanding High School Bigs Mentoring Program Recap of our Special Events 2016 Financial Statement January 2016 – December 2016 Program Outcomes Click now to read the above stories and more in our Annual Report. As always, a BIG thank you for joining us in making a BIG difference in the lives of children!

Over 150 guests, including Bigs & Littles, staff & the Board of Directors joined us for our Annual Welcome Summer Picnic at the Harlem Road Community Center.  Guests enjoyed a barbecue dinner, crafts and summer picnic favorites like tug of war and sack races.  In addition to celebrating the start of summer, we recognized our 5 Little Brothers & Sisters who graduated from high school this year and their Bigs who supported them along the way. During this presentation, we also announced some exciting news…The Big Brothers Big Sisters Daemen College Scholarship!  Our very own Big Sister Sandra Looker, a Daemen staff member in financial aid, shared that any Little graduating from high school, that attends Daemen College, will receive a $500.00 scholarship per year…

A group of matches enjoyed a beautiful summer day aboard the Grand Lady docked at the Holiday Inn in Grand Island! The 2-hour cruise included points of interest on the Buffalo shoreline and interesting facts about Buffalo’s waterways. For many of the kids this was their first time on a boat. A special thanks to the Holiday Inn-Grand Island for generously donating the delicious lunch served while we were aboard!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County is honored to celebrate Jody Galvin as this week’s Women Who Move the City Wednesday (WWMTC) Honoree!  Jody’s community efforts focus on providing opportunity to underrepresented people in education and law.  She is on the board of Buffalo Prep which expands access to college preparatory education.  She volunteers with University at Buffalo Law School on its Discover Law program which promotes entry into the legal profession for talented people of color and first generation college students.  She is a Discover Law mentor and has coordinated the mentoring matches between students and practicing attorneys.  Jody also assists unrepresented people with civil legal matters in United States District Court and recruits volunteer attorneys for its Pro Se Assistance Program.  Jody…

A group of Little Brothers and Littles Sisters were surprised with new bikes from Invitrogen Life Technologies located on Grand Island. The donation was part of Global Volunteer Week. During this week, Life Technologies companies in all regions select projects in an effort to impact the community. We were delighted to be one of the many projects completed during the week by local Life Technologies employees. In advance, the height of each child was sent to the company so they could purchase bike-building kits and employee teams assembled each bike! Our Littles, along with their Bigs, visited Life Technologies to receive their new set of wheels. For several of the children, this was their first bike! Following the bike presentation, the group received a behind…