Donate | Volunteer | Programs December 2008 NBC Hosts Reception to Welcome Michael A. Corriero Over 150 BBBS of NYC friends and supporters gathered in the NBC Executive Dining Room on November 19th to welcome the agency’s new Executive Director Judge Michael A. Corriero. The event was organized by BBBS of NYC Board Member Anna Carbonell, vice president of Press and Public Affairs for NBC4 and Telemundo 47. It served as an opportunity for the BBBS of NYC community to meet Judge Corriero, and hear about his plans to lead the organization in the coming years. Click here to read more. Drawing Workshop Brings Out the Superheroes in Littles and Bigs The BBBS of NYC 2008 annual report will feature the theme, “Everyone Needs A Hero.” To generate illustrations for the report, the agency organized a Superhero Drawing Workshop for Littles and their Bigs. To teach the workshop, BBBS of NYC recruited Phil Jimenez, a pre-eminent drawing instructor from the School of Visual Art (SVA) in New York City, and a noted artist/cartoonist for Marvel Comics, DC Comics and Sony, among others. The workshop, held on a rainy Saturday this Fall at BBBS of NYC’s headquarters, drew close to 35 matches who were eager to learn about the art of cartoon illustration and how to draw superheroes. Find our more Gridiron Games Score Big for BBBS of NYC On Saturday, November 22, BBBS of NYC took over Giants Stadium for the 14th annual Gridiron Games, an exciting two-pronged event for youth and adults alike. Special thanks to BBBS of NYC Trustee Jared Landaw, along with Volunteers James Rapp and Jay Kline, who co-chaired this year’s event, which helped to raise over $175,000 to support the agency’s programs for the city’s youth-in-need. More about the Games. Race For The Kids Raises Spirits and Over Half a Million Dollars More than 3,000 youth and adults participated in this year’s fourth Annual Race for the Kids sponsored by RBC — part of Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play. The 4K Run/Walk and Picnic helped to raise more than $560,000. In addition to raising awareness of the importance of mentoring in the lives of the city’s underprivileged youth, the event focused on the importance of exercise, health and play. Click here to learn more about this great event. Match story (Malik and Anthony) Anthony and Malik feel like brothers, even though they are not related. They have so much in common and their bond is so strong after only one year of being matched, that they are confident they will be brothers forever. Anthony is a bi-racial 24-year old who, himself, was a Little Brother from the ages of six through twelve in a BBBS program back in Columbus, OH where he grew up. Read more about their match. Save these Dates! Take a look at these exciting upcoming events, mark your calendar and click here for more details and contact information. • 12th Annual “Teen Holiday Jam” — Saturday, December 13th • Recruitment team at NYC Boat Show — Saturday through the following Sunday, December 13th-21st • Blank Canvas project — Saturday, December 20th from 12-2pm • Ping Pong Tournament, Grand Central Terminal — Monday, January 26th • Film Screening: “Say it Loud” about truancy prevention — Saturday, February 7th • YPC “Big Night Out” — Saturday, February 21st The BIG Picture NBC Hosts Reception to Welcome Michael A. Corriero Over 150 BBBS of NYC friends and supporters gathered in the NBC Executive Dining Room on November 19th to welcome the agency’s new Executive Director Judge Michael A. Corriero. The event was organized by BBBS of NYC Board Member Anna Carbonell, vice president of Press and Public Affairs for NBC4 and Telemundo 47. It served as an opportunity for the BBBS of NYC community to meet Judge Corriero, and hear about his plans to lead the organization in the coming years. Kitty Linder introduces Michael Corriero WNBC-TV’s Vice President for News and Content, Vickie Burns, welcomed the attendees and made a champagne toast in honor of Judge Corriero. BBBS of NYC Board Trustee, Jim Rosenfeld and News Channel 4 meteorologist Janice Huff at the welcoming event BBBS of NYC’s President and Trustee, Kitty Linder, introduced Corriero by reading excerpts from a letter from Judge Judith Kaye, the Chief Judge of New York State, praising his work as a judge in the state’s juvenile court system and his commitment to children, giving them a second chance to change their lives. Michael Corriero then spoke very candidly about his background in juvenile justice and how his career as a judge working with youth helped form his decision to take on this new role to head up BBBS of NYC. He focused on the need for more mentors, and the importance of continued financial support during these challenging financial times. Michael Corriero inspired all in attendance when he noted that keeping a disadvantaged youth off the street and changing his/her life through mentoring can ultimately change the world. The evening was capped off with a moving presentation delivered by a match, Big Brother Anthony and Little Brother Malik, who described the positive effect of their relationship on both of their lives. To read more about this compelling match, see the separate profile piece in this newsletter. Back to top Michael Corriero (right) with Anthony (left) and his Little Malik. Drawing Workshop Brings Out the Superheroes in Littles and Bigs The BBBS of NYC 2008 annual report will feature the theme, “Everyone Needs A Hero.” To generate illustrations for the report, the agency organized a Superhero Drawing Workshop for Littles and their Bigs. To teach the workshop, BBBS of NYC recruited Phil Jimenez, a pre-eminent drawing instructor from the School of Visual Art (SVA) in New York City, and a noted artist/cartoonist for Marvel Comics, DC Comics and Sony, among others. The workshop, held on a rainy Saturday this Fall at BBBS of NYC’s headquarters, drew close to 35 matches who were eager to learn about the art of cartoon illustration and how to draw superheroes. BBBS of NYC Executive Director Michael A. Corriero greeted all who attended, and then Jimenez conducted a brief seminar with drawing tips and ideas for the creation of a hero, including how to design a costume and a symbol based on the hero’s attributes. Littles then got to work creating their drawings of their Bigs seen as superheroes. Simultaneously, many Bigs illustrated their own Littles as heroes. Both Bigs and Littles each enjoyed seeing themselves depicted as a superhero! While all participants enjoyed the experience of learning about how to draw from a professional, several Littles in particular appreciated the opportunity to learn more about illustration as a career path. Mr. Jimenez, along with several of his art students from SVA, who also attended the workshop as assistants, spent additional time talking to interested Littles about art school and careers in illustration. Everyone left the workshop encouraged to know that his or her love of drawing could in fact be parlayed into a career. Many of the drawings created at the workshop will be highlighted in the agency’s 2008 annual report. Supplies for the workshop were donated by FaberCastell USA (GRIP colored pencils), Newell Rubbermaid’s Sharpie (permanent markers) and Ancraft Press (drawing paper). Back to top Gridiron Games Score Big for BBBS of NYC On Saturday, November 22, BBBS of NYC took over Giants Stadium for the 14th annual Gridiron Games, an exciting two-pronged event for youth and adults alike. Special thanks to BBBS of NYC Trustee Jared Landaw, along with Volunteers James Rapp and Jay Kline, who cochaired this year’s event, which helped to raise over $175,000 to support the agency’s programs for the city’s youth-in-need. The morning event provided the opportunity for over 100 Littles and their Bigs to participate in child-friendly drills, instruction and football games on the stadium field. The afternoon featured a rare non-courtroom show-down between top New York City law firms. The morning’s activites were kicked off by Boulevard Magazine’s best new artist for 2008, Angela Severiano, who sang the national anthem, followed by an appearance by several NY Giants cheerleaders, who conducted warmups prior to the drills. The games were followed by a tour of the Giants locker room and a luncheon catered in the press box located high above the stadium field. NY Giants’ Sean Landeta coached the youth on the field and also delivered a motivational speech to them at the luncheon. In the afternoon, Jazz musician Jessica Elbert also sang the national anthem, Sean Landeta gave a welcome address, and 14 law firms teamed up for friendly 5 on 5 touch football competitions held on the Giants stadium field. Participating law firms included: Kramer Levin; Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft; Latham & Watkins; Dickstein Shapiro LLP; Paul, Hastings; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Skadden, Arps; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; Weil Gotshal; Morrison & Foerster; Greenberg Trauig; and Connolly Bove. Congratulations to Skadden Arps, who won this year’s tournament. Back to top Race For The Kids Raises Spirits and Over Half a Million Dollars More than 3,000 youth and adults participated in this year’s fourth Annual Race for the Kids, sponsored by RBC – part of Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play – on September 27th in Riverside Park. The event helped to raise more than $560,000. In addition to raising awareness of the importance of mentoring in the lives of the city’s underprivileged youth, the event focused on importance of exercise, health and play. Race for the Kids founder Rob Kelly kicked off the race with an address to the crowd, followed by Race Chairman Rich Franchella of RBC Wealth Management and Jean Margaret Smith from Nickelodeon. BBBS of NYC Executive Director Michael A. Corriero also addressed the attendees. Following the race, all participants were invited for fun and food at a family picnic in the park featuring entertainment provided by the Nickelodeon “Slime Across America” truck, and Nickelodeon characters Dora, Patrick and SpongeBob. Other entertainment included a musical performance by Menudo and games and activities provided by the NFL and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. This year’s top fundraising teams were employees of JPMorgan Chase & Co., Willis, Verizon, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and RBC. The teams with the most participants were “Emily Jackson’s Sweet Feet” with 110 participants and Nickelodeon, with 108 team members. Funds raised at the Race for the Kids event are crucial to underwriting the cost of operating BBBS of NYC’s mentoring programs, and at the same time, serves to promote mentoring which often leads to the recruitment of volunteers. Back to top Anthony and Malik — A Match in So Many Ways Anthony and Malik feel like brothers, even though they are not related. They have so much in common and their bond is so strong after only one year of being matched, that they are confident they will be brothers forever. Anthony is a bi-racial 24-year old who, himself, was a Little Brother from the ages of six through twelve in a BBBS program back in Columbus, OH where he grew up. His Big Brother, John, was a tremendous source of support and inspiration to him, and they remain in touch today even though Anthony moved to New York City, where he currently works as the Assistant Vice President for Business Banking at Chase. Anthony decided to contact BBBS of NYC to volunteer, as a way of giving back for the good fortune he had to have such a wonderful Big in his life. Anthony was matched last September with Malik, a 10-year-old bi-racial boy from the South Bronx who wanted a Big Brother in his life because his father is incarcerated. His mother, Jessica, supported the idea of having a consistent, positive male role model in her son’s life, who seemed to have “the weight of the world” on his shoulders. She felt that the agency’s Juvenile Justice Program’s “Children of Incarcerated Parents” program would be a perfect fit. After their first meeting, Malik knew he had found his lifelong brother – the connection was instant. Maybe it was the fact that they were both bi-racial, or maybe it was the Making a presentation at Executive Director fact that their birthdays are only days apart, or Michael Corriero’s “Welcome” event maybe it was fate. Their first outing together turned out to be the 2008 Race for the Kids, which they both enjoyed tremendously. They went on to participate in many more agency events, including the Bikes for Kids event. Anthony attended Malik’s birthday party this year, and Malik and his mother were invited to a surprise birthday party arranged for Anthony. They like to visit museums and see shows, and Malik also appreciates coming to Anthony’s music jam sessions. He is teaching himself to learn guitar so he can join a jam session some day. “People are always saying they don’t have time to volunteer. My reply is ‘Just try it.’ There are so many benefits from mentoring -- for the Big as well as the Little. My own Big was so amazing that I set high standards for myself. In order to reach them, I just keep trying. Every time I do, I’m better for it,” comments Anthony, who adds that he is so proud of Malik and the amazing goals he has set for himself, which include going to college and becoming an architect. Back to top Save These Dates! Exciting Upcoming Events 12th Annual “Teen Holiday Jam” — Saturday, December 13th The 1st floor conference room at BBBS of NYC turns into a jam-packed party for Littles 13 years and over. Music, entertainment, food and refreshments, raffles, prizes and more! At 223 East 30th St, from 7:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Limited space. Registration required. Recruitment team at NYC Boat Show — From Saturday, December 13th through Sunday, December 21st, BBBS of NYC will host a booth at Jacob Javits Center to raise awareness and recruit more male volunteers. For details, contact Michael Coughlin at [email protected] Blank Canvas Project — Saturday, December 20th from noon-2pm. Teaching about the possibilities of art. Now accepting donations of new and “gently used” art supplies to create art kits for Littles. To learn more about this project please contact Kathy Kunath at 212-986-2042, ext. 228 or email [email protected]. Ping Pong Tournament, Grand Central Terminal — Monday, January 26th From 12:30 pm-5:30 pm BBBS of NYC is hosting “Ping Pong, a Tournament of Champions” at Grand Central Terminal 16 doubles teams will compete for the “ToC Pong” championship to raise funds and awareness for BBBS of NYC. A professional ping-pong table will be centered within the all-glass squash show court in Vanderbilt Hall and a Master of Ceremonies and an expert referee will oversee the tournament. Event sponsorship opportunities are available. Each doubles slot costs $2,500. For more information, contact Sharon Kessler at BBBS of NYC at 212-288-0642. Film Screening: “Say it Loud” — Saturday, February 7th, at St. Rita’s Church A film about having young men stay in school, focusing on truancy prevention. It features Kobe Bryant, Mayor Corey Booker, Ludacris and other prominent men of color. For more information, contact Beverly Houston at 718-235-9166. Big Night Out — Saturday, February 21st The Young Professionals Committee hosts “Big Night Out”, their largest fundraiser of the year. This YPC event is headed downtown with a new venue — Cipriani Wall Street. Guests will enjoy top shelf open bar, gourmet food stations, a silent auction, casino games, and a live Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament. DJ Mode of Level V and Guesthouse returns as the event’s house deejay. Last year approximately 1,000 guests bet their luck at this black tie casino night. Ticket prices range from $150-$200. Tickets are available via the BBBS of NYC website or by calling 212-686-2042. Back to top Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City | 223 East 30th Street | New York, New York 10016 | 212.686.2042 | [email protected]
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