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>View discussions about this entry Country: United States
Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
Year the initative began (yyyy) 2007
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Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
Describe your program or new idea in one sentence.
We will revolutionize traditional recruitment methods by utilizing innovative, online and offline social networking markets to recruit male mentors for boys on a waiting list. What makes your initiative uniquely positioned to create change in your community?
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBS) is uniquely positioned to create change in our community by making 11,155 new matches in the metro Atlanta area over the next three years; increasing the commitment of male mentors for children currently on our waiting list; and, establishing long term male mentee/mentor match relationships which encourage male youth to develop and lead positive, prosperous lifestyles. BBBS currently has 1,354 children on a waiting list (79% or 1,047 African American males and 9% or 120 Hispanic males). BBBS’ average wait time for a child to be matched is two years or more where a lifetime of either positive or negative changes can occur for young impressionable men. Our web-based Minority Male Mentoring (MMM) Initiative focuses on utilizing innovative social networking recruitment methods to recruit male mentors, making successful matches in a timely manner, and harvesting new mentors by transferring online communities into offline communities of social purpose and engagement promoting lifelong positive changes. Describe how you organize and carry out your work?
We can’t help young men reach their highest potential while on a waiting list. Our approach utilizes technology to broaden outreach, engaging in non-traditional marketing to recruit and train male mentors as follows: 1. Creating non-traditional recruitment methods using technology such as Facebook and YouTube to recruit male mentors, primarily age 25 – 35. 2. Organizing and training this pool of mentors to address youth social challenges 3. Creating new matches, eliminating waiting list; and 4. Leveraging this support for future recruitment What is your plan to scale and expand your innovation into your community and beyond?
Our MMM Initiative, focusing on innovative marketing and targeted recruitment creates opportunities to systematically transform the current/future situations young men encounter by pairing them with a caring mentor. Our plan includes: 1. Utilizing YouTube and Facebook to recruit volumes of male volunteers 2. Launching a male-focused multi-media campaign of online and offline to address the critical need for male mentors 3. Creating a seamless process from: 1) online point of interest; 2) online/offline enrollment and training; 3) offline match processes; and 4) offline activities. 4. Documenting our procedures, creating a replicable model to be utilized by any mentoring based agency This convergence of online connectivity and offline activities revolutionalizes recruitment locally and beyond for short/long term gains. Our current online recruitment efforts have us waiting for mentors to come to us, wherein we average 9,000 hits a month. Our expanded innovation is proactive, creating direct approaches engaging potential mentors in their comfort zones of YouTube and Facebook who average 1 million hits a day. What other resources, institutional, or policy needs would be necessary to help sustain and scale up your idea?
To scale up our traditional marketing recruitment efforts making 11,155 new matches by 2010 (2,418 matches in 2008, 3,777 matches in 2009 and 4,960 matches in 2010), clearing our waiting list, and developing a replicable social marketing recruitment portal, there are several resources and steps needed, as follows: • Engage in aggressive online and offline blitz marketing campaigns to increase awareness of the need for male volunteers • Expand the creative development and operation of our web-based recruitment and mentor support platform • Expand our internal internet server capacity and design creating a unique Plug and Play mentor recruitment and support service feature to attract, recruit, train and support mentors • Create quality digital streaming video advertising and educational information for online advertising • Expand our central contact management system to recruit, track and interact with online mentors in various counties simultaneously • Strengthen our internal evaluation/monitoring systems, so as we build online networks we can track and quantify the impact of actions and activities of mentors/mentees Describe your impact in one sentence, commenting on both the individual and community levels.
Our MMM initiative can recruit 11,000 male mentors to match with youth, formalizing a replicable revolutionary social marketing tool to support young males. What impact has your work achieved to date?
BBBS mentoring programs have served thousands of children being the catalyst for change in their lives supporting and encouraging their growth. We have served children and families in Atlanta for over 47 years via community-based and site-based programs in 12 counties. An example of some of these programs include Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCOP), the Hispanic Mentoring Program (HMP), Mentoring through Corporate Partnerships, Mentoring Towards College (MTC) and more. Data indicates children in the BBBS mentoring programs show the following improvements: Our approach has impacted the lives of thousands of children since 1960 in Atlanta but has hit a roadblock with our need to enhance recruitment efforts and expand academic mentoring. This initiative ensures the sustainability and growth of BBBS, supporting the local community and developing methods which can be replicated by mentoring programs worldwide.
What measure do you use to gauge your impact and why? It has been shown many of our mentors remain in the lives of mentees a minimum of two years or well into adulthood, which promotes stability and cycles of change. The length of the match validates our success, as well as positive outcomes which occur during the match.
Examples of social and academic behaviors we monitor and witness during the match include: How is your initiative currently being financed and how would you finance further expansion and/or replication?
The MMM Initiative has a strategic plan with a proposed budget of $3.23 million over the course of three years. We recently secured a capacity building grant for year one funding of $750,000 from the Whitehead Foundation to develop infrastructures increasing targeted minority male marketing, client intake, enrollment and match support. Financing for future expansion and replication efforts are outlined in our comprehensive fundraising plan available for review by Ashoka. The key components of this plan include a sustained annual individual giving program, increased special events agenda, an aggressive government grants initiative and a focused corporate relations plan called the ‘175 Plan,’ which leverages our board contacts with a group of 175 leading companies in the Atlanta area. Provide information on your current finances and organization:
The current finances of BBBS are created and monitored by the Resource Development Committee who create an annual resource development plan which is updated and monitored monthly by the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors. Our 2007-2008 operating budget is $3,925,000, with no annual revenue. We strive to diversify our funding which is currently supported by the following: special events 28%, United Way 25%, foundations 18%, corporations 10%, individuals 9%, government agencies 5%, and other revenue 5%. Our organizational structure supported by board, staff and volunteers is crucial to our success as BBBS currently has 33 full time equivalent staff of which six have a Master’s in Social Work and two have a Master’s in Counseling. In addition, we have over 2,600 active mentors and 26 volunteer board members. Who are your potential partners and allies?
Potential partners and allies include 15 corporations; 36 colleges, universities and school sites; 5 non-profit organizations and 5 religious organizations. In addition, the Latin American Association (LAA) is a primary partner proven to be crucial in assisting us with the growing need for Hispanic volunteers. Our partnership with neighboring schools allows us to offer site-based mentoring programs to students in safe, supportive environments. Alliances with community organizations and corporations provide support of our community and site-based programs offering activities and financial support. Who are your potential investors?
Historically, the community has proven to be our most vital investors via financial and volunteer support. Our current top organizational/corporate financial investors include: • the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation, a new investor; Additional anticipated potential investors include volunteer/mentors attracted from YouTube and Facebook. What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story.
Having over 80% of males waiting for two years is a critical need to address which prompted us to seek a solution. BBBS recently completed a feasibility study identifying we have a 1% conversion rate, where for every 100 inquiries received, only 1 is recruited. This encouraged us to seek alternative methods to identify and recruit large numbers of mentors. After noticing an increase in our website traffic, we realized social networking methods could provide a substantial pool of mentors to increase low conversion rates. Approximately 85% of our mentors are between 25 – 35. There are over 303 million people in the US, 20 million are between 25 – 35 and 20 million access websites such as YouTube monthly. Research indicates the statistical profile of people that utilize YouTube and Facebook are 30 and under. Because of this, the scalability of the MMM Initiative as a recruitment tool has the capacity to yield an unprecedented pool of men. An initiative of this proportion has rarely, if ever, been used before by mentoring agencies. Yet, it follows a successful industry trend of using the internet to speak to the world. The number of people visiting online social networking sites has increased by 109%, presenting a unique opportunity to reach millions who visit these sites. Ultimately, this approach not only recruits new mentors, but also provides a safe environment for current male mentors to share their mentoring experiences, encourage one another, share personal best practices, and dispel myths which hinder others from Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material.
There is a crisis in our community where young children are falling through the cracks, dropping out of school and out of society. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBS) is committed to providing a solution to this problem. Under the leadership of Janice McKenzie-Crayton, the President and Chief Executive Officer of BBBS, Janice has led BBBS through strategic growth and has expanded the reach of Big Brothers Big Sisters to twelve metro Atlanta counties currently serving over 2,600 children. Contact Information:
DePriest Waddy
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (Non-profit Mentoring Program) Discussions about this entry |
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What a great video. This video does a great job of demonstrating the great work BBBSMA does as an organization. I really enjoyed seeing how the Big in the video allowed the little to become a part of his family. This illustrates that mentoring is an affective way to reach our youth. Great Job!!! Keep up the good work!
This video is absolutely amazing! I've seen first hand what can happen when a person steps up to be a 'Big' to a child who needs a positive role model in his/her life. I was a 'Big' back in college and this video brought back some great memories. Keep up the great work BBBS of Metro Atlanta. I pray that you continue to bless the children in our community. I will continue to support your efforts!
I enjoyed the video and its amazing what BBBS of Atlanta is doing to POSITIVELY change the lives of young people in our city.
Great Job Janice and everyone else at BBBS of Atlanta.
Loved it. Great job BBBS of Metro Atlanta! Loved Jarvis's shades from back in the day mid-video. Anyone know artist of the song in the background?
I'm glad you liked the background music. It was developed by one of our Big Brothers, Dave Parker (AKA: Mercury Storm) who is an Atlanta rap artist and he donated his time and talent to develop this unique beat as the video was being completed. Check out other samples of Dave's work at his site on You Tube. Search Mercury Storm. He's great!
Congrats to BBBS of Metro Atlanta and to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who, along with Bob, help us achieve our mission. This video is moving, inspiring, and motivates us all to continue working hard to help more amazing youth like Jarvis!
Thank you for all the great work you do on behalf of children accross the nation.
This is a great program. Keep up the good work. Video was very inspiring.
Hello Mr. Waddy!
This is GREAT work that you are doing in Atlanta with BBBS. I am curious to know about any training/orientation provided to BBBS Mentors once they have been matched to a little brother. Do you already have a curriculum, training/orientation system in place for your Mentors?
Keep up the GREAT work!
Peace
Mary Brown
Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc.
Mary:
Your question is a good one. We require a 1 hour training that can be taken in-person or self study. Following the test, volunteers take a short post test which is then graded during the interview for accuracy. If he/she does not pass the test, he/she must be coached by by one of our specialists until he/she passes.
Following this mandatory training, we offer supplemental refreshers on various topics including "How a mentor can tutor"; "Dealing with difficult parents"; "Working with children of incarcerated parents" etc. Soon we will be offering supplemenal training vignettes over the web where volunteers and parents can better understand what the child needs in order to be a successful high school graduate.
Recently we hired a retired elementary school principal who is Ph.D certified and oversees the development of all success oriented curricula.
KEEP TRYING
KEEP FIGHTING
LOVE IT
KEEP IT UP
live long this video
BRAVO
The proposal by BBBS Metro Atlanta is forward thinking. There is an urgent need to recruit capable and caring big brothers and big sisters, and the old ways of recruiting are too expensive, inefficient, and--simply put--out of date. It's time for agencies like BBBS Metro Atlanta to harness the power of technology to achieve their goals. The Atlanta group seems to be ahead of other BBBS agencies, who have not yet undertaken similar technology initiatives, but continue to rely on the old recruitment methods. If BBBS Metro Atlanta can successfully complete this project, the methods they discover can not only be used to help eliminate the waiting list in Atlanta, but can be adopted by other BBBS agencies throughout the country--thereby multiplying the good that will come from the effort! This is an exciting and groundbreaking initiative--well deserving of support.
i do not have words to appreciate it. its amazing. wish those COPY CATS LEARN SOMETHING
hey u are a source of inspiration to others.Anyone seeing this video and the deep and meaningful relationship between Bob and Jarvis has to be moved to do something! BBBS absolutely needs this form of technology to communicate the need to as many people as possible.
Congratulations to everyone involved with the production of this most powerful tool. We need it to communicate the message of BBBS and the needs of our children on the waiting list for Bigs. This video says it best. Each and everyone of us can get involved
hey outstanding
well done. its amazing video
good work
The response to our proposal is overwhelming. Thank you for the comments, the testimonials and the endorsements. We are grateful and are hopeful that this is an important first step in a process that will bring us closer to our vision of better serving the thousands of children in metro Atlanta who need what BBBS has to offer.
Janice
This video is indicative of the significance of an agency such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (BBBS). As a previous, long-time employee of BBBS, I know all too well the impact of having someone who cares to come into your life to fill a void that circumstances created. Young people are so volatile and impressionable. Single parents who find out about Big Brothers Big Sisters are to be commended because they recognize that they can use a helping hand for their children. They want their children to be impressed by good influence, magical experiences, the idea to dream big, etc. The fact that Big Brothers Big Sisters is always extending that helping hand to countless single parents of boys (although they serve any young person that is in need of a mentor) like Jarvis, and the fact that there are volunteers like Bob, gives the proof needed that mentoring works! There are numerous stories and memories to create like Jarvis and Bob by the many, many boys awaiting this great opportunity, but there not just not enough men. They are out there but BBBS needs the funds to go out and recruit them. This video is remarkable because it tells a real story of a mother who reached out, a little boy who took a chance on trusting by opening up his heart and an amazing volunteer--Big Brother who dared to care enough to share his life no matter the cost. I am judging by this video that the cost was minimal when you look at the outcome. I am convinced that in reaching out to help a child, Bob's life was impacted greatly and he, too, is better because of Jarvis in his life all of these years. Please help BBBS go out and find A Few Good Men with big hearts like Bob. It is fact that BBBS improves the lives of children and the volunteers, too. WOW!!
Christine Mayfield
I can't help but agree on the priceless impact made on the life of a person with a mentor. Jarvis' and Bob's story resembles that of my daughter's. Around age 10 or so, she was becoming more self-centered and inclined to bad choices. Having seen the results of the program as an employee, my husband and I decided that a Big Sister might help her to "see beyond herself." From that moment on, I saw an increase in her self-esteem, her grades, her relationships with her peers as well as other adults, and, more importantly, her ability and desire to "give" rather than receive. I believe that the same process occurs, regardless of the sex of the child and mentor. Having been a product of mentoring myself, I know the importance of having someone to believe in you and want to see you reach your full potential. It is essential that programs like Big Brothers receive the funding necessary to continue such important work. There is currently a crisis of fatherless children who can pass little to nothing on as a legacy, not because of desire, but because of ignorance. And no, every male volunteer is not expected to be a father, but as a role model, even Big brothers can offer a glimpse into the true traits of manhood - character, strength, discipline, compassion for others, etc. Big Brothers Big Sisters has, by far, shown the most structured, most professional, and the most realistic approach to mentoring. I should know, I have mentored in other programs prior to and after my tenure with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Whether socially-conscious, or church-based, those programs pale in comparision to Big Brothers Big Sisters. As the saying would go, I was not only an employee, but a client as well.
Entry mistakenly entered twice. See cmaytwo comments from Christine Mayfield
This kind of leading edge thinking is helping to transform an already powerful, proven, 100 year old methodology and propel it into the 21st century. As a former Little Brother myself, I know how powerful this program is...it certainly changed my life. As a young man surrounded by women, I needed a man in my life - someone I could model myself after, and I was fortunate enough to be "matched" with a terrific mentor - someone who has turned into a lifelong friend. Our relationship, which dates back to 1965 when I was 11 years old and my Big Brother was 24 is still going strong. This is truly a life-changing program that saves kids lives and has the power to change whole neighborhoods and communities. Kids turn into the people around them, and for many of our young people today, the only "role models" they see are drug dealers and gang members. Big Brothers Big Sisters is the lifeline that provides a positive, caring adult in a kid's life.
This story has left me teary eyed and speechless! The story of Bob and Jarvis is wonderful and demonstrates that value of the BBBS program. Every life changed makes a difference. Thanks for all your organization does.
How inspiring for others to see how the actions of those people involved in mentoring with BBBS change lives. Not only is Jarvis's life changed, but through him others will see that life can be fulfilling and that people do care. Mentoring has ripple effects that go on to change many people- some we see and other we do not. Thanks for what you are doing to make our community and these people's lives better.
The Jarvis & Bob Video only serves to highlight the continued commitment to excellence that this agency has. The passion and dedication of your leadership and staff to make the "magic" match is to be saluted. I applaud the men and women who commit themselves and their families to others through BBBS of metro-Atlanta. I know the harvest is plenty and the labors are few. But get your message out to every corner of the community because it must be told. I hope everyone who reads your proposal and views the video will be compelled to action. I hope everyone ask him or herself what can I do to make the "magic" extend to more boys and girls. If you can't be a mentor yourself then you can help spread the word by forwarding this link and video to all those in your database. Thank you for compelling me into action on this day.
Rita Love Owens
As a former employee I have seen the positive impact that Bigs have on their littles such as improved self-esteem, social skills, and career development. I wish Big Brother Big Sister much success as they continue to strive and make a difference in not only the children but adults lives also.
BBBS is a great organization dedicated to improving the lives of boys and girls through mentoring. Jarvis and Bob's relationship is so representative of the many successful matches between "Bigs and Littles". The Utube video is a great way to share the message and tell so many others about the need for more Bigs in the Atlanta community! Terrific job with developing this great piece....
A most moving video highlighting an outstanding program. Makes me wish I were closer to the target age group to be a mentor.Thanks for sharing it & thanks for the awesome impact your program is having on young lives.
Wow! What an awesome message this video delivers! BBBS has such a positive impact on the lives of so many "Littles" (and the "Bigs" as well). It is heartbreaking to think of how many children are on the waiting list for such a valuable service. The use of current technology for recruitment is imperative. The reality is that young people today, i.e. the target market for "Bigs", obtain information and communicate with their world an entirely different way than the previous generation. Those resources must be tapped!
As a volunteer and mentor with BBBS for the past 8 years, coming from a marketing background, and also as one who utilizes media such as YouTube and Facebook on a daily basis, I think the BBBS of Metro Atlanta's innovation in Recruitment is extremely smart and I have no doubt about its future effectiveness. Being able to use video and social networking to promote and educate potential "Bigs" about activities, case studies, training and the joys of mentorship, will inspire, motivate and ultimately create matches that mean so much. Great work and great idea.
It is really refreshing to see the use of the amazing web enabled technologies that have been available in business migrate to the social sector. It seems that while social enterprises are truly innovative in their approach to social issues and challenges, they have lagged in the use of technological platforms to run their systems and fulfill their programs. BBBS is leading the effort and will have a dramatic impact on not only on other BBBS affiliates but also on many other social enterprises that will benefit from this edgedwelling initiative. The impact will be very wide indeed. Congratulations to all at BBBS for supporting such changemaker solutions.
Thank you for your support, especially at a time when we cannot satisfy our demand for Big Brothers. We appreciate you "throwing that football"!!! Currently we have 70 women operating in cross-gender relationships to young boys.
This does help a great deal, because we all know that having a mentor to any positive degree is very important; but after the age of 10, boys especially need that male influence; thus making this initiatative all the more important.
You are terrific. Keep up the good work.
That's so inspiring that your Little Sister is going to college. I am so pleased to see our mentoring process yielding another college student. Like Jarvis, once a Little turns 18 (majority), we celebrate the success and the match is no longer supported formally by the BBBS program. This is when matches are officially closed from the BBBS standpoint.
Nevertheless, I have examples of matches who are still active friends after 20 years or more. Our board Chair and his Little Brother (who is now 35), are opening a restaurant soon.
Another Big and his little brother upon graduation this year will be buying the Little's first car.
DePriest
I wish that all of America, and countries abroad, would have the opportunity to view this video. It touched my heart in a way that further influences me to become more involved in initiatives that positively impact children's lives. Through Jarvis's and Bob's testimonies, I could see that the mentoring program was beneficial to them both. Not only did Bob teach Jarvis the things that fathers teach their sons in order to grow and live fruitful lives, but it is evident that Jarvis brought to Bob's life some level of fulfillment that one feels after having had the chance to mentor a child from an early age and watch them grow through your teachings and time spent together. I once had a Little Sister who has outgrown the program, and after having viewed this video, I WILL become a Big Sister again, soon! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, I am so grateful to you for this video. It caused an awakening for me. I promise to become more involved and to encourage others to do so as well. The children need us!
How inspiring. Thanks to the wonderful folks at Big Brothers Big Sisters for making a difference in the lives of Atlanta's youth.
What an amazing video presentation. I am a former BIG from the program and can truly attest to the importance of the work that BBBS does. My LITTLE is also preparing for college, Georgia Southern this fall. Even though our match was "closed" in the BBBS system, we are still family and she is still my sister, just not so little anymore. This video clearly shows the impact Bob had on Jarvis and vice-versa. But what this video clearly depicts is the need for more men to be mentors. My sister, has a mom at home. In addition she has me. Jarvis also has a mom at home, but how awesome to have that male influence and support from Bob. I'm sure Bob filled a critical void in Jarvis' life. I believe in the program and have moved from a volunteer to staff member. This online initiative is innovative and right on time and the video presentation tells an awesome story!
The power of mentoring is endless. The BBBS of Metro Atlanta has done marvelous working with changing the lives of at-risk youth. Jarvis and his mentor is a classic example. I am inspired to be a mentor.
There is no doubt in my mind that the BBBS program has provided the much needed support system for countless children, as well as being fulfilling for the adults who are able to bond with the young people they interact with. This video shows another layer of the BBBS program which can not be ignored, especially on Martin Luther King Jr's birthday; by bringing together young and old people of different backgrounds, the walls created by stereotypes and prejudice can be demolished allowing the adults to open their minds and the young men boys and girls to reach for their dreams, whatever they may be, and to believe that they can achieve those dreams. The world, and especially the United States, needs more programs like BBBS that bring communities together to raise our children in a better world.
Wow!! I am really impressed with this submission, but not surprised because I have seen firsthand how much it means to a young person to have a Big. I am a Big Sister currently and am matched with an 8-year-old boy because of the shortage of male Bigs. While I love hanging out with my Little, I know he would be thrilled to be matched with a male. These boys need male role models!! At least I can throw a football just as good as he can, at least for now. . .
Good luck
This story is an excellent example of success and hope for participants of BBBS. I am impressed with the opportunities that present themselves from mentoring. I wish Metro Atlanta continued success in their program and in raising money to do new and innovative things for BBBS.
What a great success story! The video sends a great message and proof of the hard work each of you provide to those in need of a positive influence in their lives.
Great video highlighting an outstanding program -- keep up the good work!
honorable endeavor and wish you much success!
You guys are doing great things!