Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence

January is #nationalmentoringmonth Despite the current COVID environment, we are STILL providing youth with mentors to help empower their potential. There’s just one problem ... we don’t have enough adult volunteers to match the number of kids in need. ... Volunteer today at https://www.independencebigs.org/be-a-big/ #biggertogether #defendersofpotential

What a fantastic way to end the year! Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Mu Lambda Chapter, visited our Norristown Office and donated $1200 to support our Littles in Montgomery and Chester Counties. Our volunteer recruitment guru, Garfield Jackson, was on hand to accept the large check. We humbly say THANK YOU and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

As 2020 comes to a close, we are grateful to supporters like you for sustaining our mission during one of the most challenging years in our agency's history. This year, we helped our Littles overcome technological hurdles to connect to their Bigs, and we shared weekly resources for staying connected remotely. We continued to make new mentoring matches, moving our entire interview and onboarding process virtual while keeping child safety our top priority. We helped our famil...ies in need by distributing over 550 Community #CarePackages with nearly 2500 meals, thanks to our generous corporate and community partners. We spoke loudly on #socialjustice issues, making sure our voices were heard on behalf of the families we serve. Through it all, YOU stood in our corner and supported us in so many ways. Whether you volunteered as a Big, attended one of our virtual events or socially distanced events like our 20th Anniversary Golf Outing, served on a Board or Committee, or supported us financially, we couldn't have done it without YOU. For that, we say a BIG #THANKYOU! Although 2020 is almost over, it's never too late to give: independencebigs.org/give Wishing you and yours a #HappyNewYear with brighter days ahead! #Goodbye2020 #Welcome2021 #BiggerTogether #mentoring #volunteer #mentor #getinvolved #donate

We're excited to introduce you to the new CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Artis Stevens. He is the first Black CEO in our national organization's 116-year history, and appeared on Good Morning America this week to talk about his perspective. We see exciting things in our future! https://www.goodmorningamerica.com//meet-big-brothers-big-

Seasons Greetings from our #BigBrothersBigSisters family to yours! Thank you for showing up for our Littles this year when they needed you most!

TODAY IS #ELECTIONDAY. Get out and vote to better our communities, the lives of our children, and our future. Every vote counts, every voice matters. The future of our country is depending on you. https://gettothepolls.org/

We were able to have a little holiday fun with our staff despite everyone working remotely. We are grateful for our resilient staff, who successfully managed through one of the toughest years on record. Thank you for all you do and Happy Holidays!

The event is November 20, but to purchase the ingredient box, you have to register by November 13. Don't miss this great cooking event for a great cause, supporting our youth in Southeastern PA!

Thank you Tito's Handmade Vodka for sponsoring Fashion Touchdown 2020 so that we can continue to #keepkidsconnected to their mentors. We are proud to have Tito's support of our event for the past 5 years. Please join us one week from today as #FashionTouchdown airs live on Facebook and YouTube at 7pm! Register: fashiontouchdown.org #LoveTitos

The ONLINE AUCTION for Fashion Touchdown is now live! Here's an exclusive item for the Eagles super fan in your life, which you don't want to missan autographed full-sized 2018 World Champion Philadelphia Eagles helmet, signed by Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, Jalen Mills, Malcolm Jenkins - NFL Defensive Back, Rodney McLeod, Jordan Hicks, Chris Maragos, and Brandon Graham. Check out over 50 Philadelphia Eagles items and more items coming soon on our Auction Homepage. Bidding is now open and closes November 11 at 11:59 p.m.! https://e.givesmart.com/events/iLR/i/_Auction/

#HappyHalloween! Big Sister Anna and Little Sister Kilynn, who were matched in 2019, decorated Monsters, Inc. themed pumpkins as Sully and Mike Wazowski virtually for #Halloween this year! Congrats to them on winning our Photo/Screenshot Contest! We hope you enjoy your spooky (but not too spooky) movie rental and movie snacks on us! #BiggerTogether #DefendPotential

Walter Wallace, Jr. should be alive today. Like so many others, he struggled with mental health a young Black man in crisis. Instead of providing the care and support he needed, he was shot by Philadelphia police officers in the street in front of his mother and neighbors who loved him. He was the victim of a broken system. This same story keeps repeating itself over and over again, in Philadelphia and across the country. It is infuriating and frustrating, particularly bec...Continue reading

Don't miss Big Brother Rodney McLeod and his Little Brother Isaiah at Fashion Touchdown 2020 talking about how special their relationship is! "I was nervous," NFL star McLeod admits about meeting his Little Bro, high school football and basketball athlete Isaiah, the first time in 2017. "And I think he was nervous as well." Hear from Isaiah about breaking the news to Rodney that he wasn't a Philadelphia Eagles fan (WHAT?!), having Rodney attend his graduation, and more, on M...onday, November 9th, when #FashionTouchdown airs live at 7PM! Register for a free ticket: fashiontouchdown.org

Several Little Brothers and Sisters in our youth mentoring programs, along with a few of their Bigs, participated in a virtual self-defense class last night. The program was taught by our VP of Marketing, Greg Burton, who is also a 3rd degree black belt with the Seido Karate Philadelphia organization. Participants learned specific strikes using their hands, elbows, knees and feet. Rumor has it the group was also taught how to do a tornado kick. During the Q&A, one participant asked what to do if someone attacks them with a chainsaw. The answer was, "Do you have a track and field program at your school?" Great time had by all!

Announcing a $20,000 Matching Gift Challenge! Every donation made toward Fashion Touchdown up to $20,000 will be DOUBLED thanks to the generosity of The Baxter Family Foundation! Gifts to #FashionTouchdown from now through midnight on #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, December 1st, or until our match goal is met, will be doubled dollar for dollar! We are calling on each and every one of you to give whatever amount you canbig or smallto #keepkidsconnected to their mentors at a tim...e when they need them most. Two ways to donate: 1. Text FT2020 to 76278 2. Visit: ft2020.givesmart.com

#Repost @thisiskatalyst In the midst of our current climate, we are grateful to partner with those who came back stronger than ever to make a positive impact on our city. During these difficult times, we believe it is more important now more than ever before to positively influence the future generation, and that is why we are so proud to partner with @IndependenceBigs and Joan and Ellen Shepp. We loved working with @JoanShepp for this year's Fashion Touchdown event.... Joan and her daughter Ellen have been recognized by fashion-legends worldwide... "With this new normal, it's time for us to put aside our sweatpants and pull out our old favorite pieces and mix in some new excitement. As women, we need to see each other back in looks that represent who we really are ! Fashion is happiness and can bring great energy to ourselves and those around us."- @ellen.shepp. These two women have a positive impact on the Philadelphia community and they are true Philadelphia legends. #PhillyStrong See more

One incredible story you'll see during Fashion Touchdown is Little Brother Ja'den and his Big Brother Ryan Glover, who is the only starting Black quarterback in the Ivy League, playing all four years for University of Pennsylvania. Ja'den also plays football and came prepared to their first meeting at his school, Science Leadership Academy, with a football in his backpack. Ryan is now a senior and a finance major / music minor who LOVES math. Perfect match... because Ja'den HATES math, and it's one of the ways Ryan hopes to rub off on Ja'den. Watch the rest of their inspiring story on November 9th, virtually, as it airs live. Register now for free or with a donation of any amount: fashiontouchdown.org

CLAP IT UP!!! Your Philadelphia Eagles players talking style tips at #FashionTouchdown are: Safety #23 Rodney McLeod, Defensive End #75 Vinny Curry, Running Back #26 Miles Sanders, Cornerback #34 Cre'Von LeBlanc, and Safety #28 Will Parks! Tune in Monday, November 9th at 7PM to watch your Eagles discuss their personal style, why Eagles comradery is so special, PLUS what mentors have impacted them the most and why investing in the next generation is so important... all in bespoke Damari Savile designs! Register for free or with a suggested donation today: fashiontouchdown.org

Take a sneak peek at Fashion Touchdown 2020! Register now, for free or with any suggested donation, to join us on November 9th at fashiontouchdown.org!

Fashion Touchdown is exactly TWO WEEKS away! Take a sneak peek and register now for free or with any suggested donation to join us on November 9th at fashiontouchdown.org! https://youtu.be/NzRg-6vBZ_s