May 17th, 2024



IN THIS ISSUE:

• Mental Health Month
• Ulta & Nordstrom Rack Campaign
• Board Spotlight

“Regardless of our titles or years of experience, we can learn from each other. Through mentoring and by being open to learn where we can reach our ultimate potential.” –Lily Benjamin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona is seeking to recruit 100 male volunteers within the next 100 days to mentor boys in our community!

The current NEED for male volunteers is urgent as the waiting list for children seeking to be matched to a Big has ballooned to over 150. Close to 90% of those waiting are boys, and many have been waiting over 6 months, some more than 12 months, to be matched to their Big.

It takes little to Be Big because being Big is really just being yourself, doing and enjoying the activities you already participate in and simply taking a new friend along to share the experience with! Mentoring positively impacts youth served, increasing aspirations for the future, self-confidence, self-esteem, and academic expectations. Mentoring benefits the volunteer too as YOU get to be part of positively impacting your community!

1. Sign up to be a Big Brother and/or Big Couple (wives are welcome!)
2. Share this need with your network!
3. Invite BBBSSA into your place of business, place of worship and affiliate groups to provide information about volunteer opportunities. We bring goodies, we can share at your next staff/organization meeting, and we can host lunch & learns or coffee breaks so people can drop in.



For more information and to invite us to share about volunteer opportunities with Big Brothers Big Sisters contact Veronica Saiz at Veronica@SoAzBigs.org | 520-365-2263

Did you know that mentorship can play a BIG role in promoting mental health and wellness?

When young people have a trusted adult to turn to for support and guidance, they are more likely to feel confident, capable, and resilient.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, consider becoming a Big. Together, we can create a culture of compassion, empathy, and open dialogue.

Exciting news! Big Brothers Big Sisters is thrilled to announce its partnership with Ulta Beauty to make a difference in the lives of young people in our community. Starting on May 19th when you shop in store you'll have the opportunity to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters while checking out in-store. Every dollar counts, and with your support, we'll be able to provide more mentorship opportunities for young people in need.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is excited to announce its partnership with Nordstrom Rack, allowing customers to make a positive impact in their community. By shopping in-store or online, customers can donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters at checkout, supporting the "Sponsor a Moment" initiative and helping to create a brighter future for young people in need.

“I love hearing the stories of littles and how their Bigs impact their lives. It is great to meet adults who were littles and talk about how they are still connected with their Big.”

-Shea-Lynn Hoisington, 2024 BBBSSA Board Member

Shea-Lynn Hoisington is a current member of the Executive Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona’s Board of Directors as well as Co-Chair for the 2024 Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraising campaign. Shea-Lynn is the Outreach Project Coordinator for Tucson Electric Power, Unisource Energy Services and has served on the Board of Directors since 2023.

Shea-Lynn grew up in Southern California before moving to Tucson, Arizona where she has lived for 22 years. She is a working towards a double Bachelor’s in Organizational Management and Human Resource Management the University of Arizona Global Campus. 

Shea-Lynn was first introduced to Big Brothers Big Sisters through Bowl for Kids’ Sake, participating as a fundraising bowler beginning in 2019. In recent years, Shea-Lynn’s niece was enrolled and matched to a Big Sister which prompted her desire to be further connected to the agency.

When asked how she would respond to someone interested in supporting and being more involved with the organization, Shea-Lynn replied, “Do it! Something drew you to the organization in the first place; follow that instinct, and let's see what amazing things you can do. I love the organization and what it offers to the youth in our community, and seeing the impact firsthand with my niece has been really cool.”

Shea-Lynn and her husband Jeff enjoy a blended family that includes two kitties and an Amazon parrot. Family is important to Shea-Lynn, and she is fortunate to have so many members living close like her mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and nieces. She and Jeff also enjoy spending time with his two adult daughters who have each given them a grandson.

In her free time, outside of spending time with family, Shea-Lynn enjoys watching sports, attending concerts, crafting, and being creative.

“My favorite thing about working with Big Brothers Big Sisters and what I enjoy most is the children and spreading the word about all the great things this organization does!”

-Gina Anderson, 2024 BBBSSA Board Member

Regina ‘Gina’ Anderson is a current member of the Executive Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona’s Board of Directors as well as Co-Chair for the 2024 Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraising campaign. Gina works for Raytheon, an RTX Company, as an Associate Director of Planning and has served on the Board of Directors since 2018.

Gina is a University of Arizona graduate with a Bachelor’s in Media Arts and Journalism and graduate of Webster University with a Master’s in Organization Development.

She was first introduced to Big Brothers Big Sisters through her spouse, Gloria, who served on the board from 2014 to 2018. Gina was immediately attracted to Bowl for Kids’ Sake, participating not only as a fundraising bowler but team recruiter for over 8 years.

When asked how she would respond to someone interested in supporting and being more involved with the organization, Gina replied, “Just a little time makes a big impact in unlocking all the potential of our future generation.”

Gina enjoys spending her downtime with her spouse of 26 years, Gloria, and their Border Collie, Wilson. Her family is very important to her and is fortune to have nieces and nephews close by and travels to visit with extended family out of state. She is an avid hiker and enjoys playing golf.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona

supportus@soazbigs.org www.soazbigs.org