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Big Brothers Big Sisters gets new logo

Big Brothers Big Sisters revamped their image in hopes to spark recruitment rates. The new campaign launched on Oct. 1, said Glenn Griswold, program director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge of Lycoming County.

The organization is “a one-to-one mentoring program where we match adults and children,” said Wala Tillman, case worker of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge of Lycoming County.

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge of Lycoming County currently has 28 matches and aims to improves its numbers yearly, Griswold said. Despite this though, nationally there was a decline in numbers which sparked the change, Tillman added.

Through research and focus groups with Bigs, Littles, staff, potential Bigs and leaders, the organization discovered they weren’t connecting with young adults, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge. The organization’s mission remains the same and is looking to get increase its volunteer numbers by getting in new and young mentors.

“Change can create bigger things,” Tillman said.

The new motto for the program is “Empowering Potential,” and through this mentors can help “broaden the horizons of the Littles,” Tillman said.

To promote the change, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge of Lycoming County plans on promoting the brand more through flyers, billboards and social media, Griswold and Tillman said.

One young mentor in Tioga County, Kaitlin Strykowski, 25, of Wellsboro, joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Twin Tiers two months before the launch. But after the organization announced its new logo, Strykowski was even more excited about the program and its message.

Strykowski is a self-employed photographer for Euphoric Shutterbug Photographer. She was paired with her little Penna quickly and they share many similarities, she said. One of their outings was on an adventure to take photographs. For future plans, they hope to make crafts, hike and decorate cakes.

“Mentoring young girls is a passion of mine. I have a mentor program through my photography business, but I wanted to separate my mentoring from my business and expand my range. Big Brothers Big Sister was the most perfect thing for me to pursue that,” Strykowski said.

Since seeing the organization come out with a modernized logo and other marketing materials, Strykowski has started noticing and paying more attention to its social media which draws in new and different followers, she said. The rebranding gets Strykowski excited to go out and plan different activities with her little and believes it will get more volunteers excited to sign up.

“The rebranding definitely gives the program a younger feel, which will attract a whole new age range of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Not only does the program always need more Big Brothers and Sisters, but I think it is important to get a younger crowd in there,” Strykowski said.

A big concern volunteers run into before signing up is they worry about the time commitment, a similar concern Strykowski had before volunteering. The program recommends one outing weekly or bi-weekly with your Little, she said. Strykowski looks forward to her outings with her Penna because they are fun and relaxing.

By volunteering her time to this organization, Strykowski feels fulfilled by taking time to make an impact in her Little’s life by forming a bond, she said. But personally, she is able to set aside time to slow down and enjoy the little things in life by embracing her inner child.

“When these children envision their futures they envision themselves at our age. In their college years, or just starting out in their desired career fields. It is so important for them to have mentors at this age to see in person what their futures could be like if they work for it. They will see us young adults and start envisioning themselves as we are. Young, driven, goal-oriented, hard working and passionate twenty-something year olds,” Strykowski said.

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