I am so excited that my first full-length article has been posted on our official blog and in our March monthly e-newsletter!
“BBBSCM can offer a consistent and positive presence in these children’s lives,” Says Avidia Bank CFO Margaret Sullivan
When Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest (BBBS of CM/MW) was contacted in the Fall of 2013 by Avidia Bank, the agency was immediately excited about the opportunity to partner with them. Avidia Bank, a well-established, mutual community bank with offices all over Central Massachusetts and Metrowest, wanted to get involved but wasn’t quite sure how. After meeting with BBBS of CM/MW Chief Executive Officer Jeff Chin to hear more about the agency’s mission and various mentoring programs, Avidia Bank and BBBS of CM/MW began the new year with a partnership of six volunteer staff members from the bank to be matched with local at-risk children who would be their mentees (“Littles”).
Now several months in to this new partnership, Program Supervisor Amber Haskett continues to be blown away by Avidia Bank’s devotion to the partnership. “These volunteers not only show up each week with a snack for the kids, but they also bring something for them to do with their Littles,” she remarks. “We do not ask our volunteers to do this, but they do it anyway. …These volunteers have gone above and beyond…!”
Perhaps Avidia Bank’s dedication originates from their belief in the power of mentoring and their own personal connections to the cause.
The work of BBBS of CM/MW struck a chord with Tammy Robidas, Marketing Coordinator for Avidia Bank. She describes her own turbulent childhood…one all too familiar for many of our Littles:
“I enjoy being a Big Sister because as a child I did not have sisters and also no mother. This left me with a bit of feeling insecure and extremely shy as a child. …It was difficult at times.” So Tammy thought, “What better way to deal with it than to be a role model for a Little Sister. …I believe a positive role model in a child’s young life is extremely important for a good base to become a successful adult.”
Over the course of the partnership, Avidia Bank volunteers have consistently provided their Littles with fun, engaging activities. They’ve held a holiday party that included Santa Claus, desserts, and gifts, and they meet weekly with the Littles to play board games, do arts and crafts, share lunch, help with homework, and “chat about [their] lives.” Tina Ramsey, Commercial Relationship Officer, even mentions going to the movies and attending church with her Little. “I enjoy being a Big and look forward to spending time with my little. I feel mentoring is important because a mentor is a role model for a child and…I’ve learned that I can be a positive influence on my Little,” she says.
The partnership between Avidia Bank and BBBS of CM/MW exemplifies our mission which is “to enhance the quality of life of children through professionally supported mentoring relationships with responsible and caring volunteers.” We cannot wait to watch these matches continue to grow and develop, and hope that other community corporations may choose to follow in the footsteps of Avidia Bank!Speaking of positive influence, BBBS of CM/MW prides itself on the mutual positive effect it has on both Bigs and Littles alike, and the volunteers at Avidia Bank have experienced this first hand. Chief Financial Officer Margaret Sullivan says, “I’ve discovered that I like being involved in the molding of a child, i.e. being a friend and helping them discover themselves. …My involvement with BBBS of CM/MW has made me more appreciative of what I had, what I have and what is yet to come.” Sullivan also notices changes in her Little, who she says is now more social with others and more extroverted.
This didn’t copy/paste too well, but feel free to check out the article on the official blog of BBBSCM! I think the main thing that I learned in this article was that my interviewing skills from videography are actually very applicable to article writing. The strong points of this article are definitely: the fact that I was able to get powerful quotes from Avidia Bank staff, the fact that I was able to reiterate and tie in the mission of BBBSCM, and the inclusion of good photos to complement the article. I think this article is very strong in that it is great for Avidia to spread around and promote their volunteerism because it praises them very highly, but it also is great for BBBSCM, because it has the potential to incite more corporate partners to join us. One thing that BBBSCM always has to take into consideration is its multiple audiences and stakeholders (sponsors, donors, volunteers, Bigs, Littles, corporations, etc.) so the fact that this article played to both parties is something I’m really proud of.
I'M A MKTG INTERN! 