2023IMPACTREPORT
ITTAKESLITTLETOBEBIG
CEOJessicaWhatleyatthegrandopening oftheWarnerMentoringHub
JESSICA WHATLEY
CEO,BigBrothersBigSistersofGreaterChattanooga
DearfriendsandsupportersofBigBrothersBigSisters,
WearethrilledtosharewithyouthemanyhighlightsofourpastyearatBigBrothersBigSistersofGreater Chattanooga!Thisyearhasbeenmarkedbyexcitingachievementsandnewinitiatives,allaimedat improvingthelivesofyoungpeopleinourcommunity.
Wecelebratedourone-yearanniversaryintheWarnerMentoringHub,astate-of-the-artfacilitythathas becomeourcentralhubforprovidingtop-qualitymentoringservicestoourcommunity.TheWarner MentoringHubhashelpedusenhancecommunicationandcollaborationamongourstaff,volunteers,and familiesaswellashostmanyevents.
BigsandLittlesspentover18,000hourstogetherthroughouttheyear,forgingstrongbondsthatwill positivelyimpactourcommunityforyearstocome.Weareincrediblyproudofourmentorsandthe differencetheymakeinthelivesofourLittles.
Thisyear,welaunchedourexcitingnewprogram,BigFutures,whichforthefirsttimeeverallowsBig BrothersBigSisterstoserveyouthandyoungadultsbeyondtheageof18.TheBigFuturesprogramis designedtoprovideyoungadultswiththenecessarysupport,coaching,andresourcestonavigatethe school-to-workforcepipeline.Theresponsefromthecommunityhasbeenfantastic,andwelookforwardto seeingthepositiveimpactofthisprogram.
WiththelaunchofournewStrategicPlan,weareaimingtoincreasetheimpactandoperational effectivenessofourorganization.Ourplanincludesincreasingthenumberofvolunteerinquiriesthatget matched,targetedrecruitmentoutreachtopotentialmalementorsandthosenewtotown,andutilizing technologytoimproveourenrollmentprocessestoensureaseamless,efficient,andengagingprocess.We areconfidentthattheseinitiativeswillhelpuscontinuetoimprovethelivesoftheyoungpeopleweserve.
Finally,wecelebratedour2ndannualCityofPotentialAwardsevent,wherewerecognizedandcelebrated thechampionsofmentoringinourcommunity.Thiseventisanopportunitytocometogetherandcelebrate thepositiveimpactthatmentoringcanhaveonouryouth.Thisyear’seventisslatedforOctober23rd,and wehopeyoucanjoinus!
ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportofBigBrothersBigSistersofGreaterChattanooga.Your contributionmakesitpossibleforustoprovideouryouthwiththesupporttheyneedtoachievetheirfull potential.Welookforwardtoanotheryearofexcitingprogressandachievements.
Sincerely,
Jessica Whatley
WHOWEARE
AtBigBrothersBigSistersofGreaterChattanooga,weseeafuturewhereallyoungpeopleare empoweredwithaplanfortheirfutureandamentorwhoseimpactlastsalifetime.Asamember agencyoftheoldestandlargestyouthmentoringorganizationintheUnitedStates,wemake meaningful,monitoredmatchesbetweenadultvolunteers(“Bigs”)andchildren(“Littles”),ages6 through18andbeyond,inHamilton,Marion,Bradley,Walker,CatoosaandDadecounties. Wefoster andsupportmentoringrelationshipsthatareempoweringyoungpeopleacrossourcommunity.
OURMISSION
Createandsupportone-to-onementoringrelationshipsthatignitethepowerandpromiseofyouth.
OURVISION
Allyouthachievetheirfullpotential.
OURTEAM
LeahBales
SummerColeman
LianeCooper
SarahCutner
EnriqueDavey
ShariDriscoll
EdwardEllis,III
TinaFranklin
AmberHoyle
RussellMcBride
HaileNottage
CariPhillips
EliSmith
JessicaWhatley
KimWeiss
PhyllisWilbanks
MatchSupportSpecialist
ActivitiesCoordinator
ChiefOperationsOfficer
Enrollment&MatchingSpecialist
ProgramManager
MatchSupportSpecialist
DiversityPartnershipsManager
Enrollment&CollegiatePartnershipsSpecialist
ChiefProgramOfficer
DirectorofSystemAdministration
BigFuturesManager
SchoolMentoringCoordinator
ChiefDevelopmentOfficer
ChiefExecutiveOfficer
MatchSupportSpecialist
BradleyCountyProgramManager
$600,000+INSCHOLARSHIPS
Since1983
21,000+MATCHESSERVED
Since1957
19SCHOOLSSERVED
In2023
OURPROGRAMS
Ourprogramshavestoodthetestoftime.Theyare responsiveandhaveadaptedtothechangingneedsof youngpeople,focusingonpositiveoutcomes:belonging andsocialconnections,positivebehaviorandchoices, socialandemotionalhealth,andeducationalsuccess.
COMMUNITY-BASEDMENTORING
Mentoringthattakesplaceinthecommunity.
SCHOOL-BASEDMENTORING
MentorsmeetwiththeirLittleataschoolorafter-schoolsite.
BEYONDSCHOOLWALLS
Workplacementoring—MentorsmeetwiththeirLittle attheircorporateoffice.
E-MENTORING
Technology-basedmentoringfocusedoncareerand collegepreparation
BIGFUTURES
MentorsstaymatchedwiththeirLittlebeyondage18, empoweringyouthastheytransitionintoadulthood.
BIGSINBLUE
Youtharementoredbylawenforcementtobuildbridgesof understanding.
READINGTOLEARN
Youth(gradesK-3)arementoredinaliteracy-focused school-basedprogram.
98%
ERICH&TERRENCE
2023BigBrotherandLittleBrotheroftheYear MatchedsinceAugust2020 ofourLittleshavehadno involvementordecreased juvenilejusticeinvolvement afterbeingmatched.
ofourLittlesseetheir Bigasaveryimportant adultintheirlife. 96%
90%
86% ofourLittleshave developednewinterests sincebeingmatched.
ofourLittlesare stayingontrackwith, orimproving,their academicperformance.
DespitebeingmatchedduringtheCOVID-19 pandemic,ErichandTerrencewereabletofind creativewaystobuildtheirrelationship.Thestrength oftheirbondbecameobviouswhenErichwas deployedwiththeNationalGuardfor8months,and thetwowereabletostayconnectedvirtuallyasErich continuedtosupportTerrencefromafar.Whenthey reunited,TerrenceranupandgaveErichabighug, andtheytalkedandcaughtupforhours.
Terrencehasalwayshadaspecialbondwithhis motherandtheyhavelivedintheWestside communityallhislife.Terrenceandhismother wantedamentorthatcouldteachTerrenceabout manhood,encouragehissuccessatschool,andguide himawayfrominvolvementingangsordrugs.Since havingErichinhislife,Terrencehasconsistently broughthisgradesupandsoughthelpforanysubjects inwhichhewasstruggling.AsErich,Terrence,andhis motherhavebecomecloser,Terrencehasgottento knowErich’sfamilyaswellandhasbecomelikeabig brothertoErich’schildren.
TerrenceandErichhavehadchallengesasamatchbut havemanagedtoadaptandcultivateadeepand meaningfulbond.Afteralltheirtimetogether, Terrence,hismother,andErichthinkofoneanother asfamily.Throughapandemic,adeployment,and multiplechildrenofhisown,Erichhasbeenaconstant friendtoTerrenceandisdedicatedtomaintainingthis friendshipforalifetime.
2023FINANCIALS
IttakesLittletobeBig. ThissimplemantradescribesthesmallbutpowerfulmomentsofimpactthatourBigshavewiththeir Littles—butitalsoappliestothewaywestewardthegiftsthatourgenerousdonorsmaketosupportmentorship.Everydollar makesadifference,andasapartnerinourmission,youhaveeveryrighttoknowhowyourgiftisbeingusedtocreateand supportlife-changingmentoringmatches.Ourannualfinancialreportisbasedonourfiscalyear,January2023toDecember 2023.OurannualauditwascompletedbyWaycaster,CPALLC,andacopyofour990andauditareavailableonourwebsiteat bbbschatt.org.Wehopeyouwillcontinuetojoinusindefendingthepotentialofouryouththroughyourfinancialsupport.
*IncludesCapitalCampaignDonations
BIGRELATIONSHIPS
EachtimeBigBrothersBigSistersmatchesachildwithamentor,bothBigandLittlereceiveagiftthey’llbenefitfrom throughouttheirlife.Mentorshiphasbeenproventobeoneofthemostpowerfulwaystoimprovetheoddsforayoungperson andtransformtheirlifetrajectory.Thepowerofmentorshipliesinthemomentsthatsparkcuriosity,encourageaspiration,and inspirepotential.Butitallstartswitharelationship.
WILL,ARIANNA,
&RASHAD | MATCHEDSINCEJULY2021
WhenRashad’smotherenrolledhersontobematchedwithaBigBrother,herhopewasforalongfriendshipandagenuine connection.RashadluckedoutwhenhewasmatchedwithAriannaandWill—notone,buttwoBigs!Heenjoysgettingtolearn andtrynewthingswithAriannaandWill,andhegetstoexperienceanotherhealthyfamilystructure.Rashadlovestospendtime withhisBigsontheirfarm,andRashad’smotherlovesthatWillandAriannahaveincorporatedRashadintotheirfamily. SometimesRashadwillcallWillduringtheweek,andtheywillwatchmoviestogetheratWillandArianna’shouse.Willand AriannalovespendingtimewiththeirLittleBrother;theycelebratehiswinsandcareforhimdeeply.Rashad’sfavoritething abouthisBigsishowfunnytheyare,whichisperfectbecausehe’sprettysillyhimself.Rashadwantstocontinuetogrowasa studentandanathlete.WithWillandArianna’scareandsupport,heiswellonhisway!
2023BigCouplesMatchoftheYear
EMILY&KEILY | MATCHEDSINCEFEBRUARY2020
2023BigSisterandLittleSisteroftheYear
“ “ “
I’veseenKeilyovercomesignificantacademichurdlesoutofherownmotivationandperseverance.She’ssuchahardworker andalwaysstrivestodoherbest,whichisaqualityIadmire.I’mthrilledtocontinuetoseehowshegrows.Ourconversations arealwaysatwo-waystreet.Mostofthetime,ifyou’reanadultconversingwithanadolescent,you’redoingmostofthe talking.WithKeily,shealwaysasksmehowIamandgenuinelywantstoknowwhat’sgoingoninmylife,andIknowthat’s howsheiswitheveryoneinherlife.It’sclearthatshederivesalotofjoyfromsmallthings.Isovaluethattrait,andit’sa reallyhumblingandwonderfulreminder.SomethingelsesheteachesmeishowtomaketraditionalGuatemalanmeals!My favoriterecipeshehasshowedmewashowtomakepupusas.What’sbetterthanfreshlymadetortillasstuffedwithmelted cheeseandbeans?Webothenjoycookingandbaking,sowespendalotofourtimetogetherdoingjustthat.Havinglotsof interestsincommonhasbeenarealtreat.Everyoneneedssomeonetolistentothemandtogivethegiftoftimetothem,and thosethingscanbereallytransformative.Givinghermylisteningear,advicewhensheasks,andbeingvulnerablemyselfso shefeelssafeindoingso—allofthesethingsandmorearehowIstrivetosupportandenjoyourfriendship.
— BIGSISTEREMILY
WhatmakesmyBigspecialishowamazing,fun,andcreative sheis.She’ssomeoneIcanreallycounton.I’vebeensohappy tohavesuchanamazingopportunity,andbeingpartofthis programhasbeensomuchfun.IlovethatI’vebeenableto teachherdifferentthingsaboutmyculture,andothercool thingsaboutme!
— LITTLESISTERKEILY
Thankstothisprogram,Keilyhasbeenabletodevelopa meaningfulanddeeprelationshipwithEmilyandhasreceived supportfromherBig.EmilyhasalsoexposedKeilytonew experiences,andKeilyhasbeenabletoreachherpotential throughbeingexposedtonewanddiverseactivitiesand opportunities.
— KEILY’SMOTHER
MENTORING WITH excellence
KIMBERLYBOWEN
BoardPresident,BigBrothersBigSistersofGreaterChattanooga
DearFriendsofBigBrothersBigSisters,
AsBoardPresidentofBigBrothersBigSistersofGreaterChattanooga,Iwantedto takeamomenttoreflectonthepastyearandshareourorganization's accomplishmentsandexcitingupdateswithyou.
Lastyearwasaremarkableyearforourorganizationaswecontinuedtofocuson deliveringtop-qualitymentoringservicestoyouthinourcommunity.We continuedtobuildonourmissionofhelpingyoungpeopleachievetheirfull potentialbymatchingthemwithcaring,volunteermentors.
Oursuccessthisyearwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheincrediblesupport ofourcommunity.Theindividuals,foundations,andcompanieswhosegenerous contributionshaveproventobeacriticaltoolinsupportingourmatches.
Inadditiontoourtraditionalone-to-onementoringprograms,welaunchedour BigFuturesprogramthisyear,whichfocusesonprovidingyoungadultswiththe necessarysupport,coaching,andresourcestonavigatetheschool-to-workforce pipeline.Thisnewprogramhasbeenatremendoussuccess,andweareexcitedto seeitspositiveimpactonourmentees.
Wecontinuedtoservemorechildreninourcommunity,andourLittlesandBigs spentover18,000hourstogetherthroughouttheyear,forgingstrongbondsthat willpositivelyimpactourcommunityforyearstocome.
Lookingahead,weareexcitedtocontinueexpandingourwork.OurnewStrategic Plan,designedtoincreaseimpactandoperationaleffectiveness,includesseveral initiativestoservemorechildreninourcommunity,enhancesupportforyoung adults,andincreaseournumberofvolunteersandthusservemoreyouth.We remaincommittedtobuildingstrongerrelationshipsbetweenouryouthand volunteersandsupportingtheminachievingtheirfullpotential.
ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportofBigBrothersBigSistersofGreater Chattanoogaandyourbeliefinthepowerofmentoring.Together,wecancontinue toinspireandimprovethelivesofyoungpeopleinourcommunity.
Sincerely, Kimberly
Bowen
ANEW STRATEGIC PLAN
In2023,ourteamunderwentastrategicplanningprocesstodetermineourstrategythrough2026.Aspartofthisprocess,wehave defined4keystrategicinitiativestoguideusaswestrivetowardourvisionofallyouthreachingtheirpotential.
SERVEMOREKIDS
How?EngageMoreMaleMentors.Theproblemissimple:therearemoreboysthangirlsonourwaitlist, andmorewomensigninguptovolunteerthanmen.Inordertoservemorekids,wearemakingita prioritytoshareourstorywiththemeninourcommunitytorecruitmoreBigBrothersandtakemore kidsoffthewaitlist.
SERVEKIDSQUICKER
How?EnhancetheVolunteerEnrollmentProcess.Safetyisapriorityineverythingwedo,andasa result,ourvolunteerprocesstakestime—butthatdoesn’tmeanithastobecomplicated.We’restriving tocreateaseamless,engaging,andefficientvolunteerprocessthatwillultimatelyleadtoLittlesbeing matchedwithBigsfaster.
SERVEKIDSLONGER
How?BigFuturesProgram.Supportingyouthastheytransitionintoadulthoodiscrucialfortheirlongtermsuccessandthebettermentofourcommunities.WiththelaunchofournewBigFuturesProgram, BBBSisnowsupportingyouthandyoungadultsthroughmentoringpastage18.
SERVEKIDSBETTER
How?StrengthenCoreProcesses.Increasingoperationaleffectivenesswillallowustoprovidehigher qualityservicetoourcommunity.ThisincludesmeasurestosupportthementalhealthofBigsand Littles,engagelocalchurchesinourmission,andstrengthencommunicationwithourcommunityof supporters.
INBUILDING ASTRONG COMMUNITY
WhenyousupportBigBrothersBigSisters,you’reinvestinginthemost powerfulandbeneficialwaytotransformayoungperson’slifetrajectory— mentorship.You’remakingsuremoreyoungpeoplehaveapositiverole modelbytheirsideduringacrucialperiodoflife—someonetohelpguide theminfacingadversity,avoidingriskybehaviors,performingbetterin school,developingstrongsocialconnections,andincreasingtheirselfconfidence.Weallbenefitbecausewhenyoungpeoplerealizetheir potential,theychangeoursocietyforthebetter.
