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Blog

Monthly Archive for: "March, 2022"
 Getting To Know Our New CEO. A Conversation with Dr. Leah Newkirk Meunier

Getting To Know Our New CEO. A Conversation with Dr. Leah Newkirk Meunier

March 25, 2022

It’s a been a whirlwind of a few months since Dr. Leah Newkirk Meunier assumed the CEO position at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. With 2022 well underway […]

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     Bowl For Kids 2022 – What’s New?!

    Bowl For Kids 2022 – What’s New?!

    March 11, 2022

    Surf’s up! And this year’s Bowl for Kids ‘Beach Bowl’ is generating waves of excitement! Set for April 22 & 23 at Highland Lanes, this two-day, themed bowling event helps […]

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       Lexi and Yahairra: The Art of Connection

      Lexi and Yahairra: The Art of Connection

      March 3, 2022

      Being connected is, of course, a huge part of being in a Big Brothers Big Sisters match. COVID has been a challenge to match relationships in general, and the pandemic […]

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        Categories

        • Amplify Austin (5)
        • Bennett-Rathgeber Mentoring Center (9)
        • Big Brothers Big Sisters profiles (80)
        • Big Couples (3)
        • Big Futures (12)
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        • From our CEO (15)
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        • Recruitment (5)
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        Participants and Supporters

        • “My Big Brother has taken me to visit several colleges and I’m excited to start applying.”

          Little Brother

        • “I can tell my Big Sister anything and she listens without judging me.”

          Little Sister

        • Sponsors

        • “My Big Brother appreciates me for who I am.”

          Little Brother

        • “If it weren’t for her, I know that I would have ended up in an environment that I should not have been in.”

          Little Sister

        • Sponsors

        • “I love reading with my Big Sister.”

          Little Sister

        • “Being a Big Brother has enriched my life.”

          Ben, Big Brother

        • “Thanks to my amazing Big Sister, I knew from early on how important my education would be.”

          Little Sister

        • “My son’s relationship with his Big Brother has had a big impact.”

          Family

        • “Children are our future. I like helping them realize their potential.”

          Donor

        • “My son has a stronger focus on his future as a result of his match.”

          Family

        • “Now, oh my gosh, how my daughter has changed. She just has a better outlook on life.”

          Family

        • “Becoming a Big is by far one of the best decisions I’ve made. My Little is constantly surprising me with her eagerness to try new things. Having the opportunity to mentor and see her grow has been not only rewarding, but also lots of fun!”

          Reyna, Big Sister

        • “As a Big, I can commit to a consistent volunteer opportunity where I feel like I’m giving back to my community, and I’m rewarded with a meaningful relationship with an awesome Little who has so much to offer as well.”

          John, Big Brother

        • “Ben’s mentorship changed my life! As a long-time supporter of your organization, it’s always inspiring to see the amazing work you’re doing to support the youth in our community. Your commitment to empowering the next generation is truly admirable, and I am proud to be a part of this mission. Keep up the great work, and continue making a positive impact!”

          Little Brother

        • “My son is consciously making the right choices now to set himself up for whatever he decides to do.”

          Family

        • Sponsors

        • “My Big makes me feel important.”

          Little Brother

        • “Whenever something is bothering me, I can talk with my Big about it.”

          Little Sister

        • “My Big Brother has helped me discover new things.”

          Little Brother

        • “With my Big Sister’s help I am doing better in school.”

          Little Sister

        • “My relationship with my Big Brother is very important to me.”

          Little Brother

        • Sponsors

        • “As a Big, I’m able to pay it forward by providing my Little with some of the opportunities that I’ve been lucky to have in my life – companionship, encouragement, confidence and trust. “

          Jeremy, Big Brother

        • “My husband is gone a lot on military assignments, and I wanted our daughters to have another responsible adult in their lives that they could have fun with and talk to if they didn’t feel comfortable talking to me.”

          Family

        • “I’m really proud of the empathetic and thriving adult my Little has become. We’re so thankful that BBBS connected and supported us throughout the years.”

          Big Brother Tom

        • “It’s a privilege to be able to help kids recognize the potential within themselves and illuminate the opportunities they have in their lives.”

          Jeremy, Big Brother

        • “My Big Sister is always there for me when I need her.”

          Little Sister

        • “As a Big, I get to spend time with my Little doing things I loved doing as a kid – exploring, going out to eat, cooking, visiting book stores, and being there as another ear and voice as she tries to navigate her world.”

          Audra, Big Sister

        • “Having a Big in our lives has helped my whole family.”

          Natasha, Mom of a Little

        • Sponsors

        Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas | 4800 Manor Rd, Bldg K, Austin, TX 78723 | Mail: PO Box 4555, Austin, TX 78757 | Phone: 512-472-5437
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        • Careers
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        Executive Board of Directors

        The Executive Board is a group of community-focused leaders invested in improving the lives of Austin youth. Their main responsibilities involve raising funds to support our agency, reviewing and approving agency policies, and generating awareness of, and support for, BBBS.

        Lara Burns Boyda
        Urbanspace
        Chief Operating Officer

        Zachary A. Carroll, Secretary/Treasurer 
        RSM US LLP
        Austin Audit Leader, Partner

        Brandon Christensen
        SHI International Corp
        Enterprise Sales Account Manager

        Jayna Duke
        O’Connell Robertson
        Principal: Interior Design Practice Leader

        Denver Dunlap
        Denver Dunlap Real Estate
        Owner/Broker

        Art Guerra
        Guerra Underground
        Owner

        Shellie Hayes-McMahon, Chair Elect
        Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
        Executive Director of Operations & Development

        Pamela Hurley
        Philanthropist

        Nicholas Johnson, PhD
        McKinley Technologies
        Founder & Principal

        Jason Jowers
        Tokyo Electron
        VP Support Services

        Lonnie Limon
        Dieste, Inc.
        Managing Director

        Albert Swantner, Chair
        SaveDay
        Chief Technology Officer

        Karen Vilches
        Kojo
        Executive Assistant

        Jason Vitanza
        Shadow IT Services
        Chief Technology Officer

        Foundation Board

        The Foundation Board’s purpose is to oversee all aspects of BBBS’s Scholarship Program, including managing the endowment and distributing scholarship funds to institutions.

        Carlos Barbosa
        Wells Fargo
        SVP/Loan Supervisor-Middle Market Commercial Banking

        Loraine Brown, Foundation Board Chair
        Vino Veritas Ventures
        Founder & Owner

        Kori Hattemer
        Foundation Communities
        Director of Prosper Programs

        J.R. Martin
        PNC Bank
        Investment Advisor

        Shellie Hayes-McMahon
        Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
        Deputy Exec. Director of Operations & Development

        Brandon Jones, PhD
        The University of Texas at Austin
        Director for Student Learning & Development

        Pamela Hurley
        Philanthropist

        Guillermo Martinez III, PhD
        Austin Community College
        Interim Vice President, Student Affairs

        Advisory Council

        Composed of high-visibility individuals and organizations, the Advisory Council provides BBBS with a lasting influence and cross-community reach. Convening at least twice per year, the group provides input on strategic issues as needed, influences others to support our mission and contribute resources, and recruits new members for our Executive Board.

        Blake Absher
        Broadway Bank
        Executive Vice President – Austin Market President

        Darrell Bazzell
        The University of Texas at Austin
        Senior Vice President and CFO

        Kyndel Bennett
        Cayetano Development, LLC
        Chief Executive Officer

        Ben Bufkin
        Endeavor Real Estate Group
        Principal

        Clayton Christopher
        Entrepreneur

        Hector De Leon
        De Leon Washburn & Ward, P.C.
        Founder

        Rachel Deaton
        Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
        Financial Advisor

        Greg Dettman
        Southwest Courts & Floors Inc. – Sport Court Southwest
        Owner

        Chris Ellis
        Endeavor Real Estate Group, Ltd.
        Managing Principal

        Gary Farmer
        Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc.
        President

        Elizabeth T. Gershoff, PhD
        The University of Texas at Austin
        Amy Johnson McLaughlin Centennial Professor

        Kristie Gonzales
        KVUE
        President & General Manager

        Kerry Hall
        Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
        Advisory Board Member

        Amy Jones
        O’Connell Robertson
        President

        Nyle Maxwell
        The Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships
        Dealer Principal

        Dick Rathgeber
        Rathgeber Investments
        President

        Dr. Richard Rhodes
        Austin Community College District
        Chancellor

        Lawrence Speck
        Page Southerland Page, Inc.
        Senior Principal

        Carl Stuart
        Registered Investment Advisor

        Tom Taylor
        Taylor Investments
        Principal

        Meet Your Little

        We’ll set up a Match Introduction meeting to get your match started!

        Training

        Join other prospective mentors to learn the essentials for being a great volunteer Big!

        Apply

        Complete our Volunteer Application, which includes references and a thorough background check.

        Talk With Us

        Learn more about the commitment and if it’s right for you. Call us at 512-442-4646 or email volunteer@bigmentoring.org.

        Talk With Us

        Learn more about the commitment and if it’s right for you and your child. Call us at 512-442-4646 or email info@bigmentoring.org.

        Big Impact Group

        The Big Impact Group (B.I.G.) is a diverse collective of dedicated Bigs and community members who volunteer their time, talents, and energy to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas’ mission, further its programs, and establish themselves as future leaders for BBBS CTX and in our community. Together, members volunteer, fundraise, and participate in events that support BBBS CTX’s 700+ matches.

        B.I.G. members enjoy many activities and benefits including:

        • Networking at quarterly happy hours and events with Big Impact Group members
        • Joining volunteer opportunities like the Ice Ball, Bowl for Kids, and Amplify Austin
        • Serving on the Big Impact Group Leadership Team to help direct the BIG strategy
        • Supporting efforts that raise awareness and recruit new Bigs, including volunteer info sessions
        • Providing opportunities for Bigs to engage with each other and the agency to strengthen matches and build community among our network of volunteers
        • Receiving exclusively priced tickets to BBBS CTX signature events

        Learn more about the Big Impact Group here.

        Match Development & Support

        We will be there to provide ongoing support for your match!

        Interview

        We’ll set up a time to get to know you so we can find the best match for you!

        Wait/Get Ready for a Match

        We’ll search carefully for a Big for your child. Try to be patient. It takes time to find a great match. Once a potential Big is found, you’ll learn about them and move forward if you approve the match.

        Apply

        Complete the online enrollment application.

        Preparing Parents

        Our top priority is the safety and well-being of your child. During our parent training, we will teach you how to keep your child safe within or outside of our program.

        Meet With Us

        We will visit with you in your home or in our office. Help us get to know your child so we can find the best match for him or her.

        Meet Your Child's Big

        We will introduce you and your child to your new Big. They will start spending time together and getting to know each other.