The BIGUpdate

October 2012

Message from the CEOGreetings!The month of October highlights an important and increasingly relevant issue among our children: bullying. In recent months, bullying has become a hot topic across our country and, unfortunately, more prevalent in our schools. It’s an epidemic that affects everyone no matter one’s age, ethnicity or social status. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, we pride ourselves in creating a community of friendship and kindness. Our Bigs are screened and trained to provide quality and healthy mentor relationships that are mutually beneficial. Littles enrolled in our program reported to be one-third less likely to hit someone and 90 percent of former Littles said their Big made him or her feel better about themselves. Bullying has no place in our program or in our society and we remain committed to the safety of our Littles and Bigs. This month is a great time to have a discussion with your Little, or any child in your life, about the devastating effects of bullying and what do if he or she is in that situation or a witness. Do not hesitate to ask your Little questions about school, friends and or other social activities; these are opportunities to stay in tune with what is happening in your Little’s life. Never underestimate the power of a strong role model and mentor in a child’s life. It’s caring and supportive adults, like Bigs, who can steer children down a positive path and make a difference. Let’s take a stance against bullying, together!

Interim President & CEORobin Hanna

Donate Today: The Arizona Working Poor Tax CreditThe State of Arizona offers a tax credit to organizations providing assistance to the work-ing poor. This provision allows individuals to take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

Taxpayers filing as “sin-gle” and “head of house-hold” status may claim a maximum credit of $200. Taxpayers who file as “married filing joint” may claim a maximum credit of $400. In order to claim your tax credit you must itemize your deductions and complete Arizona tax form 321.

For more information about the tax credit and filing instructions, please visit the Arizona De-partment of Revenue. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona does not offer legal or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified, licensed professional regarding all legal or tax-related issues.

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BIGthanks!

BBBSAZ thanks ProCopy for their generous $1,000 donation to our agency as part of their

“Copy Drop” event which asked participants to submit a

letter as to why his or her copier should be dropped from

a 750 foot crane! The event was a great success

and we thank everyone for their continued support of our Bigs

and Littles!

Kudos to ProCopy

Steve LeVine Entertainment supports BBBSAZ!Steve LeVine Entertainment

hosted the third annual Sound Wave music festival in Sept. 29 and announced BBBSAZ as a beneficiary of a portion of the

proceeds! With more than 10,000 in attendance our agency is over-

whelmed with appreciation for this generous support. Thanks to Steve LeVine Entertainment and

all who attended!

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Welcome backNative American site-base programs back in action for new school yearBBBSAZ is proud to have four site-based programs this year as part of our Na-tive American Mentoring Initiative: The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation site-based program — High School mentors attending Fountain Hills High School are matched to 4th and 5th graders attending Fountain Hills Middle School and meet every Tuesday, all participants are from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) site-based pro-gram — Mesa Community College Inter-tribal Student Organization members are matched with youth 6 to 12 years old from SRPMIC at the Lehi Boys & Girls Club and meet every other Wednesday. Gila River Indian Community site-based program — High School mentors attending Vechij Himdag Alternative High School are matched with youth 6 to 12 years old from Gila River at the Saca-ton Boys & Girls Club and meet every other Wednesday. Westwood-Emerson site-based program — High School mentors attending Westwood High School are matched with 4th, 5th and 6th graders from Emerson Elementary and meet every other Monday. This is our fourth year partnering with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, second year partnering with Salt River Maricopa Indian Community and our first year partnering with Gila River Indian Community, Westwood High School, Emerson Elementary and Mesa Public School’s Native American Education Program.

HappyMentoring!

Staff Spotlight

Recipe of the month ... bake me!

Meet Jazminda Ryan Program SpecialistDate started at BBBSAZ: June 18thHometown: Phoenix, AZDescribe yourself in one word: DeterminedFavorite quote: “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.” -William Arthur WardFavorite historical figure: Shirley ChisholmFavorite childhood cartoon: GargoylesLeast favorite food: SquashFavorite school subject: EnglishFavorite place in Phoenix: Any shoe storeBest advice you have received:It does not matter where you come from, what matters is where you are going.What do you like best about your job?Talking to Bigs and Littles and hearing how their great experiences.

1 cup pumpkin puree1/3 cup vegetable oil2 large eggs1 1/4 cup sugar1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Directions *Remember to always supervise children while cooking*1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin, or line with paper.2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, oil , eggs and sugar until well blended.3. In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. Add to the pumpkin mixture and whisk until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin, filling each about 2/3 full. Sprinkle a few more chips on top of the muffins.5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick, inserted in the middle of the muffin comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a rack.

1 teaspoon baking powder2 teaspoons pumpkin-pie spice1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling on top

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

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CBS 5 news films Paul’s Car Wash promo with LittlesFive lucky Littles made their television debut with the help of KPHO CBS 5 meteorologist Paul Horton and crew on Sept. 20. BBBSAZ and CBS 5 collaborated to film a new promo commercial for the upcoming Paul’s Car Wash. Our Littles did an excellent job smiling big for the cam-era and gave enthusiastic waves. Each Little is currently matched in one of our site-based programs, which will benefit from proceeds re-ceived from the car wash fundraiser. The promo is currently running on KPHO CBS 5 and will continue until the start of the car wash on Oct. 22. Great job everyone!

Special thanks to Principal Leslie Beauchamp of Longview Elementary School who graciously of-fered her beautiful campus for the video shoot.

Paul’sCar Wash

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By the numbers . . .Current

Active MatchesTotal

Youth served

Community-based

Average Match Length: Site-based

1,154 1,34627 Months

12 Months

Big Tip of the Month First, remember your primary relationship in our program is with your Little and role is to be a friend, mentor and positive role model. At the same time it is also impor-tant you have good communication with the child’s family to ensure outings are ap-proved by the parent/guardian. To make things a little easier, try to recognize your differences in culture and communication styles. This can help identify better ways to approach the parent/guardian to discuss the Match. For example: If your child’s par-ent has a hard time scheduling or keeping outings, pick up a calendar at the dollar store so you can work together to put something down on paper. Working together to overcome differences can only improve your relationship with your Little.

Save the Date: Big BreakfastOn April 18, 2013, BBBSAZ will host our first annual ‘Big Breakfast’ fund-raising event that will surely be lots of fun. Please be sure to mark your calendars and join us at 7:30 a.m. at the Arizona Biltmore for an hour-long program that will make you laugh, smile and walk away with more insight into our awesome pro-grams and the inspiring children we serve. We hope to see you there!

Q:A:

I have a difficult time communicating with my little’s parent/guardian. How do I handle this?

Never say Never ...BBBSAZ essay contest winners, Big Brother Ricky and Little Brother Charlie, attended the Sept. 29 Justin Bieber concert thanks to KPHO CBS 5!

Click here to read

the essay

Walk in the Fiesta Bowl Parade!Join BestIT and BBBSAZ and walk in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl Parade! United States gold medalist Missy Franklin will serve as grand marshall and all participants will receive a free shirt. Click HERE to access the Think Big page and sign up to have BBBSAZ some fun!

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D-backs hit a homerun!“Little Big Leauge” participants graduate from community service programThe 2012 “Little Big League” came to a con-clusion on Oct. 2 with a graduation ceremony filled with surprises and a job well done to our Bigs and Littles for their work in the communi-ty. Ten matches spent four months volunteering their time helping out the community through various projects and activities. Their efforts were rewarded with a graduation ceremony, backstage tour of Chase Field, access to batting practice, Arizona Diamondbacks gear and tick-ets to that night’s game. We want to thank the Diamondbacks for providing our matches with the opportunity to positively impact our com-munity! Great work to everyone!

ThankYou!

Scare up some BBBSAZ supportMonsterland Bar and Grill will donate $1 from every ticket sold to their haunted house on between 5 and 6 p.m. Oct. 31 to our agency! Come out and have some ghoulish fun. Also, be sure you wear your best costume and participate in the cos-tume contest with judges from KOOL fm!

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Native American Recognition Days — Get Involved!

Join us as we walk in the parade! Details on the Think Big website

Pool sharks come out to playCongratulations to the winners of our pool tourna-ment, Little Brother Temi and Big Brother Nick, held in August. Several matches enjoyed some friendly pool competition, lunch and arcade games. Thanks to the members of the Society of BBBSAZ for their help in coordinating this great event.

Walk in the parade!

It’s coming ... !Be sure to watch our

Paul’s Car Wash Telethon on Friday, Oct. 19 from

5 to 7 p.m. on CBS 5!

Oct. 22 to Oct. 26www.bbbsaz.org/paulscarwash

Every dollar counts!