Points of Pride!
TRC Staffing Services Makes Inavero’s 2013 Best of Staffing™ Lists
TRC Staffing Services, Inc. was recently named to Inavero’s 2013 Best of Staffing™ lists of award winners for the fourth consecutive year, an honor extended to only 1 percent of staffing services nationwide. Big Sister Lydia Padilla owns the greater St. Louis branch of the award-winning staffing service.
The Best of Staffing lists provide the only statistically valid, objective, service quality benchmarks in the industry, revealing which staffing agencies are delivering exceptional service to their clients and the permanent and temporary employees for whom they find jobs. Less than one percent of all staffing agencies in North America receive the Best of Staffing award for service excellence.
St. Louis Public Schools Featured in Wall Street Journal
The St. Louis Public Schools and its Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams received national attention recently, appearing in the Nov. 27 edition of The Wall Street Journal. "Schools Head Finds a Formula, Data-Driven Approach Helps St. Louis Become Latest System to Improve Grades" discussed the progress the city schools have made over the last few years. "Since taking over here, Mr. Adams has lifted the high-school graduation rate by 18 percentage points and eliminated $25 million in debt. Attendance is up and misbehavior is down," the article stated.
To read the article in its entirety, click here.
Brinkmann New President at Trivers Associates
Trivers Associates recently named Joe Brinkmann president of the St. Louis-based architectural firm. Trivers and Brinkmann were the architects for the award-winning Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri offices at the corner of Grand and Olive.
Trivers Associates, founded in 1975, has designed some of St. Louis' largest historical rehab projects in recent years, including the Old Post Office and the Westin Hotel at Cupples Station, both located downtown.
St. Louis Public Schools Works Hard to Earn Provisional Accreditation
On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Missouri State Board of Education (SBOE) unanimously voted to restore accreditation for the St. Louis Public School District. Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Chris Nicastro made the recommendation to the SBOE after a thorough analysis of multiple years of data and indications of district-wide improvements over the past five years.
According to the district's website, Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams said he believed the vote by the SBOE was an affirmation of the dedication on the part of the District's students and staff. "I would like to thank every staff member, our students, families, AFT Saint Louis Local 420, and the community for their contributions to achieving accreditation,” said Adams. “I would also like to thank Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Chris Nicastro and the State Board of Education members for conducting the review and making this decision.”
Celebrating the hard work of the school district, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri staff members delivered goodies to its partner schools on Wednesday morning, Oct. 17. In the picture, Langston Middle School staff enjoy Eddie's Southtown donuts - a treat delivered by Ruby Jones, BBBSEMO Director of Team Support and former Director of Impact at Langston.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri Hosts First Annual College Fair
Littles, their parents and Bigs were invited to participate in the agency's first annual College Fair on Saturday, Oct. 6. The event was held at Big Brothers Big Sisters' St. Louis office and featured speakers and representatives from business, technical schools, college and the military. The focus of the event was to provide an opportunity for Little Brothers and Little Sisters to get information related to life after high school. Attending organizations included the Art Institute, College Bound, Fontbonne University, Lindenwood University, Ranken Technical College, St. Louis University, Southeast Missouri State University, St. Louis Community College, University of Missouri - St. Louis, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington University and Ginny Baldridge of Your Executive Image, LLC.
For more pictures from the event, click here.
To learn more about the event or to ask questions, contact Stephanie Godwin-Chu by email at sgodwin-chu@bbbsemo.org or call (314) 361-5900.
Twenty Littles and Alumni Prepare to be 'College Bound'
Twenty Littles and Alumni of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri were accepted into the College Bound program. Little Sister Kierra, on left, says her acceptance into the program ensures a better future. Kierra is a sophomore at Hancock Place High School.
To read more, click here.
Herbst Wins Cape Girardeau County Commission Race
Charlie Herbst will return to elected office after recently sweeping every precinct in Cape Girardeau's election for County District 2 Commissioner. Herbst is a former Cape Girardeau City Council member and police officer.
Herbst is a member of the BBBSEMO Board of Directors. He is also the Chairman of the BBBSEMO Southern Regional Development Board.
'Star Sister Team' Throws Out First Pitch at Cardinals Game
Getting a thrill of a lifetime, Little Sister Tashaira and Big Sister Aliya Reich threw out the first pitch at a recent St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. The pair will add this adventure to a host of fun things they have experienced in their almost two-year friendship. They love to go to dinner and talk all night. They also enjoy going to the movies, walking around the mall, trekking to Forest Park and to the art museum. Tashaira and Aliya admit that their favorite activity is to get frozen yogurt - which they manage to make part of almost every outing!
These friends have also tried to give back by working hard raising money at Bowl for Kids' Sake, the signature fundraiser at BBBSEMO. They dubbed themselves the "Star Sister Team." They also participated in the Take Steps for Kids event at Washington University and have volunteered for the Lemay Child and Family Center Carnival.
BJC Names Rhonda Brandon to HR Leadership Role
BJC Health Care named Rhonda Brandon as its Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Brandon serves on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri's Board of Directors.
Brandon joined BJC in 2006 and was promoted to BJC Vice President of Human Resources Operations in 2010.
Brandon has a master's degree in organizational development from American University and a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Hampton University. In addition to the BBBSEMO board, Brandon also serves on the board of the Metro St. Louis Chapter of the YWCA.
Vivian Gibson Named One of Top 13 Graduates at Washington University
Vivian Gibson, Senior Director of Volunteer Recruitment at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, was named one of 13 outstanding graduates at Washington University. Gibson earned her master's degree in nonprofit management through University College, the professional and continuing education division of Arts & Sciences, at Washington University in St. Louis. (The photo of Gibson is courtesy of Washington University's publication, the Record.)
Bigs, Littles and BBBS Staff Bowl with FOX2's Tim Ezell for Bowl For Kids' Sake
An enthusiastic group of Bigs, Littles and BBBS staff members recently packed the Moolah at 6 a.m. - all in an effort to promote Bowl For Kids' Sake. This very excited group welcomed FOX2's Tim Ezell who did three segments for the morning news. Click here to see Tim and our very own Bruce Fleming in action. Special thanks to Jack In The Box for providing breakfast and for the Moolah for opening its doors in the wee morning hours!
Big Brothers Big Sisters Travels To Capitol
The staff from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri joined other Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies from throughout the state at Jefferson City on Wednesday, March 7, to thank legislators for their continued support of the Amachi Missouri program. During this special day, Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri was recognized in both the House and Senate.
Dunbar Elementary Chess Club Tours Chess Club
Seventeen members of the Dunbar Elementary Chess Club recently toured the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Several Little Brothers and Little Sisters were among the enthusiastic group of young chess players, led by Chess Coach and Physical Education teacher, Mr. Kevin Hamilton. The kids received some valuable instruction from Alex Vergilesov, Scholastics Coordinator at the club. In addition, each student took a turn at challenging Vergilesov to a game of chess. Mr. Hamilton did a follow up lesson the day after the field trip and most of the students were able to remember the key points Vergilesov taught them!
The trip was sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. Chris Jones, Big Brothers Big Sisters Director of Impact at Dunbar, said the kids had a great time.
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Big Sister Daphne Williamson is now a published illustrator!
Check out her work in the new book - I Can Do It!
We're all so proud of you Daphne!
Book Drive
February, 2011
When our staff sees a need, they react. After a visit to Columbia Elementary our Director of Major Gifts, Melissa Bode, noticed that the library needed some new books. She and Gianna Farr, Director of Impact at Columbia dreamed up a book drive and launched it within a week.
The dedicated staff at Columbia worked closely with the Big Brothers Big Sisters team to coordinate an unveiling of the book drive results to a gym full of curious kids. In two months friends of the agency collected 1,000 books along with 3 DVD players, a new carpet and a new rocking chair. The school librarian, Karen, and the students are thrilled! View photos from this event.
Congratulations to our staff Gianna, Liz, April and Melissa on a job well done!
