2021 Impact Report - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga

2021 IMPACT REPORT

Building Relationships. Changing Lives.

Matched in May 2022, Chief Executive Officer Jessica Whatley and her family with their Little, Ocie.

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2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

JESSICA WHATLEY CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga 2021 brought its own set of challenges but despite that, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga had opportunities to continue to ignite the potential of our youth. In our work, we see firsthand the feelings of loneliness, fear, and uncertainty that are youth are facing today - but we also see independence, pride, and resilience. It is not a question that the last few years have brought on more stressors for all of us - our youth, their families, and our volunteers. Our youth and families need our support now more than ever and because of you, we are able to provide that support. Every day we partner with our volunteers and families to elevate the potential of our youth. You play a critical part in this story of bringing our mission to life all over the Greater Chattanooga area.

Despite many obstacles created by the pandemic, we continued to focus on longer, stronger matches and we no doubt saw that.

81% of our Community-Based matches were together for more than one year. In order to have longer, stronger matches - we focused on training opportunities for volunteers and engagement and support opportunities for our parents. Through bi-monthly parent engagement activities and a new BBBS family picnic for youth and their parents, we worked to build stronger relationships between our agency and our families.

We awarded more scholarships to former Littles throughout their college journey than ever before totaling over $47,000 in scholarships awarded.

Currently, we have 16 scholarship students through Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky.

Although the pandemic changed how we recruited volunteers, we didn't let that stop us. We spoke to over 75 groups during 2021 about the need for volunteers. I hope as you were driving around town you saw our yard signs that we placed among the many local campaign signs throughout the year.

2022 is here and we have BIG plans for the future of BBBS and our youth.

Join us to continue to be a part of the lifelong impact of mentoring. This may be the year for you to become a Big for the first time! When our youth thrive, our community thrives. Because of you, we are Bigger Together!

With gratitude,

Jessica Whatley

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For 65 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As a member agency of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, we make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 14, in Hamilton, Marion, Bradley, Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people in our community.

MISSION Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

VISION All youth achieve their full potential.

OUR TEAM

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Jessica Whatley

Chief Executive Offiicer

Tiawana Berry

Match Support Specialist

Shadrina Booker

Chief Development & Marketing Officer

Fritz Brown

Program Specialist

Shawnessey Cargile

Enrollment & Matching Specialist

Liane Cooper

Office Manager

Enrique Davey

Match Support Specialist

Laurel Desmarais

Match Support Specialist

Edward Ellis III

Diversity Partnerships Manager

Tina Franklin

Quality Assurance Manager

Carrie Henry

Program Manager

Amber Hoyle

Chief Program Officer

Jamie Kinsey

School-Based Specialist

Ansley Kuneman

Community Relations Manager

Deardra McGee

Workplace Mentoring Coordinator

Abigail Ortega

Enrollment & Matching Specialist

Eli Smith

Development & Marketing Coordinator

2022 Impact Report

2022 EDGE BEST PLACES TO WORK - CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS

OUR AGENCY

2022 Impact Report

$500,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS Since 1983

20,000 MATCHES SERVED Since 1957

30+ SCHOOLS SERVED During the 20-21 school year

RACE/ETHNICITY OF LITTLES

GENDER SERVED

44% MALE

56%

FEMALE

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OUR

PROGRAMS

Our programs foster positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people and their mentors.

COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING Mentoring that takes place in the community

SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING Mentors meet with their Little at a school or after school site

WORKPLACE MENTORING Mentors meet with their Little at their corporate office

E-MENTORING Technology-based mentoring focused on career and college preparation

BIGS IN BLUE Youth are mentored by law enforcement to build bridges of understanding

READING TO LEARN Youth (grades K-3) are mentored in a literacy-focused school-based program

Retired Officer Danna & Liittle Sister Kelis. Matched for 4 6

2022 Impact Report

years.

2022 Impact Report

REPORTED NO INVOLVEMENT OR DECREASED JUVENILE JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT AFTER BEING MATCHED

99% REPORTED IMPROVING OR STAYING ON TRACK IN THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

"

CREATING A BIG IMPACT I became a Big because my Mom was a Big Sister when she was my age and still plays a big role in her

90%

LS’ life to this day. My LS has taught me how to look at the little things in life, I love spending time with my her! One of the most memorable moments I had with her was at her birthday party, I felt like I was part of her family. I love being around

COMPLETE HIIGH SCHOOL & PURSUE POSTSECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES

them, they make me feel welcomed!

BIG SISTER RYLIE & LITTLE SISTER TAVRIHANA

90%

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2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

2021 FINANCIALS A little makes a BIG difference. It's your gifts that keep us going and enable us to create and support more mentoring relationships. So you have every right to know how it is used. Our annual financial report is based on our fiscal year, January 2021 to December 2021. Being good stewards of the gifts of our donors in supporting mentoring is our priority and our annual audit was completed by Johnson, Murphey, and Wright. A copy of our 990 and Audit are available on our website at www. bbbschatt.org. We hope you continue to join us in defending the potential of our youth through your gifts.

REVENUE SPECIAL EVENTS

$171,636

UNITED WAY

$135,279

IN-KIND

$1920

PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS

$112,978

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

$616,750

FOUNDATION GRANTS

$55,760

INDIVIDUAL/CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS

$123,202

ENDOWMENT TRANSFERS

$99,905

$1,317,429

TOTAL

EXPENSES PROGRAMS

$917,601

MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

$134,116

FUNDRAISING

$73,435

TOTAL

$1,125,152

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BIG

RELATIONSHIPS

Each time Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs a child with a role model, we start something incredible: a one-to-one relationship built on trust and friendship that can blossom into a future of unlimited potential.

REBECCA & AH'ZARIUH | MATCHED SINCE 9.27.20 Rebecca has always pursued a healthy lifestyle, prioritizing regular exercise and healthy eating. Rebecca not only wanted to be a positive, encouraging friend and mentor, but her heart’s desire was to model healthy eating and food choices for Zari.

“Whether it’s learning to bake or trying a new food- (Zari and I challenge each other to try something new each time we eat out), we’ve had so much fun growing and building our kitchen skills together!”

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2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

JAMES & ZY’SHUN | MATCHED SINCE 9.20.16 Zy’Shun and I always have fun taking part in activities around Chattanooga, but on one visit, our activity was about spending time together. When I picked up Zy’Shun, I saw that he was emotional. He started to open up, for the first time, because he was upset about having to repeat the 7th grade. He felt safe talking about what he was feeling in heart and what he was thinking in his head. Then I shared details about life experience as well as the hope I have for his future. As we talked, I felt a deep connection and commitment to Zy’Shun’s life, realizing that I could be a positive influence for him. That day was important because Zy’Shun made changes so he could complete the 7th grade and enter the 8th grade. He was also named “Student of the Month,” which makes me very proud.

TRACEY SMITH (BOARD MEMBER & BIG SISTER) Scott and I became a Bigs couples match to Tyler almost 5 years ago. We decided to become mentors because we wanted to make a difference in a child's life. We have been able to provide Tyler access to new opportunities and experiences that he might not otherwise have been exposed to. We believe that mentoring helps a child develop self-esteem and shows them that they matter. Being positive role models for Tyler, helping guide him and watch him grow has been so much fun and so rewarding. We believe we have gotten just as much from this relationship as Tyler has.

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BUILDING THE Future

TARA WIESE Board President & Big Sister, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga Strong believers in our mission offer their time and financial resources to our cause. A huge thanks to those believers who allow BBBS of Greater Chattanooga to continue defending the potential of youth in our area. Because of our thorough vetting and match process, as well as extensive volunteer resources, relationships built between Bigs and Littles often last a lifetime. As long as there are children being born, there will always be a special need for mentoring in the world, and a home for Big Brothers Big Sisters in our local community.

Heading towards 2023, we are proud to say that Big and Little matches and agency support have never been stronger. The Board is utilizing our 3 year strategic plan to take the mission to more children in more places. The new Warner Mentoring Hub groundbreaking in June marked history for the agency. It also symbolizes the vision we have for the continuing the BBBS mission for another 50 years and beyond. The dedication and experience of those who came before are what we continue to build upon. Littles age out of our traditional programs at age 18. We are kicking off a new Post-18 Program to serve those children into adulthood.

Over the years, we have expanded programming in creative ways to serve more children.

Through school-based, employer, and e-mentoring programs, the sky is the limit for the children we can reach. We hope you’ll join us to defend potential for years to come.

Tara Wiese 12

2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

NEW FACILITY Our goal is to serve an estimated 600 children per year by 2025, which is a 53% increase. Our current facility is already bursting at the seams with all of the activities it takes to deliver our high-quality mentoring programs. It is built for 12 and is currently housing 16 staff and 3 interns.

Our plans include remodeling the existing structure and building a 900 square feet addition. The cost of the building project is an estimated $1.9 MILLION, which consists of the building, furnishings and campaign costs.

SERVE YOUTH OLDER THAN 18 Y/O The window from ages 17-25 is a unique time to explore options and take steps toward what you want to do, and who you want to become. Yet too often, young adults - especially those with fewer resources - face this transitional period with more uncertainty than excitement. BBBSGC plans to launch Big Futures to address this critical age. Designed for young adults after "graduation" from the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters 1:1 match program, this initiative assists alumni Littles as they pursue education in college/university or trade school, enlistment in the military, and/or living wage employment.

GROWING OUR CURRENT PROGRAMS Innovation for growth is a strategic pillar of Big Brothers Big Sisters. As a team, we are always adapting to meet the needs of our youth, families, and volunteers. 2022 has allowed us to return to schools and focus on rebuilding our School and Workplace mentoring programs and officially launch our Reading to Learn mentoring program. Reading to Learn was launched with funding through the Weldon F. Osborne Foundation to focus on combating the learning loss coming out of the pandemic and partner with schools to ensure kids are reading on grade level. No volunteer or child is the same and so there is no one way to mentor! Join us in one of our many programs to reach kids where they are and ensure youth are able to access a mentoring relationship that fits them best.

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DEFEND

POTENTIAL

Become a Defender of Potential. Discover the many ways in which you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga, and empower Chattanooga's youth to realize their full potential. No gift is too Big or too Little.

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2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

FRIDA UWIMANA Former litte sister. Sholarship recipient. College graduate.

Thank you and BBBS for the support during my journey.

I would not have done it without the financial support.

My next steps are to work and down the line do an MBA. I would love to stay in touch as well.

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OUR BOARD Tara Wiese Kimberly Bowen Austin Cone Chip Allen Ricky Thomas Tory Johnston Jack Bowen Talley Carroll Mitch Collins Brandon Deering Malcolm Harris Dr. Gale Iles Sonya Jaffar Dr. Kirk Kelly Susan McGehee Erich Murray Jose Otero Rob Robinson Tracey Smith Claire Stout Rashaad Williams Kathi Willis

ADDRESS 2015 Bailey Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 PHONE 423.698.8016 WEBSITE bbbschatt.org