Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County, MD

The Latest BBBS News . . . July 16, 2010

We Need Your Assistance!

2010-2011 is going to be a critical year for our program in Frederick County due to lack of funds from the Frederick County Government and over 19% reduction in United Way allocation for our community and school based programs benefiting over 300 children. For these children, their relationship with a Big Brother or Big Sister is more friendship - it's a miracle.. Your gift will help us recruit volunteers, perform background checks, assess family needs, and most importantly support the child, the Big Brother or Big Sister, and the family on an ongoing basis to ensure that the child grows up strong and sound.

You can help us the following ways to serve children.

If you donate to the United Way of Frederick County, please suggest that your funds should be directed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County.
If you donate through the Maryland State Government’s Charity campaign, please direct your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County.
If you donate to the Federal Charities campaign please direct your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County.
Most businesses have a Charitable Giving program, please make a request to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County.
You may form a bowling team and particip at e in the Bowl for Kids' Sake event on May 1 & May 2, 2010 and help raise funds through pledged dollars.

If you have an idea or two or if you are grant writer, we would love to hear from you. Please call Sushil at 301-694-9455 or e-mail: bbbs@crosslink.net.

BBBS receives 2008 BBBS Gold and Pinnacle Award

A review and selection criteria for the annual awards was completed by a committee of peers. Recently Sushil Bhattacharjee (BBBS Executive Director) and John Schmehl (BBBS Board President) were interviewed to determine the finalists and winners of the Agency or Board of the Year Award. We are pleased that our agency is running for the Agency or Board of The Year selection at the national conference.

These awards are presented to motivate agencies to achieve improved performance as well as provide well deserved recognition for winners that embody the criteria for outstanding success. These Top Performers met the following criteria:

Minimum of 150 children served and $150,000 revenue, and
2008 Children Served growth of 7% higher than 2007, and
2008 Revenue growth of 9% or higher than 2007, and
Meets 2008 national average Closure Rate of 39% or lower, OR
If closure rate of up to 41%, must demonstrate Match Support of 90% done or better

Thirteen agencies met the criteria for Gold Standard Performers in 2008, and they are:

BBBS of San Luis Obispo County – San Luis Obispo, CA
BBBS of the North Bay – San Rafael, CA
BBBS of the Siouxland – Sioux City, IA
BBBS of Northeast Indiana – Fort Wayne, IN
BBBS of Southeast Indiana – Seymour, IN
BBBS of Frederick County, Inc. – Frederick, MD
BBBS of the North Country – Watertown, NY
BBBS of Oklahoma, Inc. – Tulsa, OK
BBBS of Columbia Northwest – Portland, OR
BBBS of Southeastern Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, PA
BBBS of Greater Columbia, Inc. – Columbia, SC
BBBS of Middle Tennessee – Nashville, TN
BBBS of Puget Sound – Seattle, WA

All 17 of these agencies are eligible for the Agency of the Year and Board of the Year Awards. The NLC Judging Panel will begin interviews with these agencies soon and determine the finalists and winners for the awards. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Frederick County is pleased with the selection.

Board Members Wanted

BBBS of Frederick County is looking for a few board members who are willing to help the program in setting up policies and procedures, organizing and assisting in fund raising and promotional activities. Currently the agency has eighteen members and we can certainly benefit from a few new ones. Please call Sushil or any of our current board members for an orientation.

BBBS Event Calendar

October 1, 2010
Golf Tournament

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is ranked in the top 1% of all charities in America in terms of fiscal responsibility and effective use of donations.

When you give a holiday gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters, you are giving to one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country!

Yet more importantly: your gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters gives a vulnerable child a new perspective on life and teaches them how to make good choices.

But there are many more children in your community that need your help.

Help us reach our end of year goal so we can begin 2009 strong – and reach more children in need of a caring adult role model.

Dear supporter, this holiday season you can give a child the gift of a brighter future. Please send a gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters today – simply click the button below. Thank you!

Look What We've Done in Frederick!

Improved academic and behavioral outcomes for children matched six months or more is measured through written response from children, volunteers, and some parents. A Performance Outcome Evaluation (POE) instrument, already being used by this BBBS agency will be used to measure outcome. The aim is to determine whether a one-to-one mentoring experience made a tangible difference (academic, social, and inter-personal) in the lives of children.

The following 2005 outcome result is based on a small number of data collected from parents, and Big Brothers Big Sisters in response to questionnaires.

»79.49% Have improved self confidence
»79.48% Are able to express feelings better
»74.36% Can make better decisions
»76.93% Have improved hobbies and interests
»51.38% Have better attitude toward school
»68% Have improved academic performance