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Contents : Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri In this issue: - Message From The President/CEO - Agency Gets Ready for Move Into Woolworth Building - Increased Funding from United Way - Board and Staff Announcements - Featured Partner: Shimmy Gray-Miller and the SLU Women's Basketball Team - Donor Spotlight: Agency Feels 'Ripple' Effect From Washington University Gift - Upcoming Events - Get Involved - Tell Us What You Think Message from the President/CEO Dear Friends: 2007 was an incredible year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. With your help we served almost 2 300 children ended the year on sound financial footing and closed on our new headquarters the former Woolworth Building in Grand Center. We are now poised to have a truly BIG year in 2008. In fact we are billing 2008 as "A Big Year for Kids: Everyone's Invited". We will move into our new headquarters in June of this year which will allow us the space to employ more staff utilize more interns and volunteers and form new partnerships - all so that we can eventually reach our goal of providing mentors for 10 000 children each year. There is much more news and great events are occuring so please read on. Becky James-Hatter Agency Gets Ready for Move into Woolworth Building In June 2008 BBBSEMO is moving to its 25 000 square foot headquarters in the heart of St. Louis. The new headquarters the former Woolworth Building in Grand Center has historically been known for its 1960s lunch counter pickets that were held to protest Woolworth's segregated policies. Now the building is being transformed into a beautiful site that embraces people of all backgrounds. The building will establish stability strength and a permanent commitment to reaching children's needs. Becky James-Hatter President/CEO of BBBSEMO said that the "modern efficient work environment will empower staff to do their best work on behalf of the young people volunteers and families we serve". Here's what you can expect at the new building: "Hard Hat" Parties (Feb. 13 Mar. 5) - Sneak previews of the building's progress! Email Ali to attend. National Conference (June) - BBBS agencies from throughout the country meet in St. Louis. Grand Opening (Aug/Sep) - Festival to celebrate building opening. Email Ali for more info. Increased Funding from United Way The United Way is showing major support for BBBSEMO. The United Way of Greater St. Louis increased its 2008 allocation by $60 000 and the United Way of Southeast Missouri increased its 2008 funding by $12 000! The agency will use these funds toward operating costs and hiring additional employees to screen match train and support the increasing number of volunteers who come through the agency. BBBSEMO has long been funded by the United Way and is happy to once again be recognized and supported. The funding - especially the increase - shows that the United Way is recognizing the agency's commitment to providing excellent service in Eastern Missouri as well its efforts to recruit mentors in the African American community. BBBSEMO looks forward to continuing to strengthen its partnership with the United Way in 2008. Board and Staff Announcements STAFF PROMOTIONS: Ashley Barnett has been promoted to Senior Program Director in the Southern Region. Ashley has done a remarkable job serving the agency for five years and will now be the senior member of the BBBSEMO Senior Leadership Team. Gianna Shockley has been promoted to Director of School Based. Gianna is currently doing fantastic work as School Based Manager overseeing several school mentoring programs including Marian Middle and Dunbar and Columbia Elementary. Gianna will begin her new role on April 1. Featured Partner: Shimmy Gray-Miller and the SLU Women's Basketball Team The partnership with the Saint Louis University Women's Basketball Team started when John Suggs BBBS' Director of Mentor Recruitment approached Coach Shimmy Gray-Miller in the summer of 2007. John asked "Coach Shimmy" to serve as a champion for the organization and help with recruitment. Coach Shimmy agreed and became a true champion of the agency. Not only did she become a Big Sister herself but her entire team enrolled as Big Sisters too. The women's team at SLU is matched with Little Sisters from Marian Middle School. Despite their hectic travelling schedule the basketball players and their Little Sisters have already formed true friendships. Coach Shimmy and her team even hosted a "Big Brothers Big Sisters Night" during the team's home game vs. Canisius on December 19. SLU won the game but more importantly the girls from Marian Middle got to see their Big Sisters in action. This was a BIG moment for everyone involved. Donor Spotlight: Agency Feels 'Ripple' Effect from Washington University Gift On January 9 Washington University presented BBBSEMO seven checks totaling $28 549. The donation came as part of a challenge to get students to complete their online course e

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