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We are defenders of potential. We ignite the power and promise of youth. As partners to Bigs and Littles, parents and guardians, we walk side-by-side to defend potential. This work is more critical than ever before.
Our Black and Brown youth have faced injustice. They have been called racial slurs, been targets of microaggressions, and more at the hands of both youth and adults in our community. Others across this country and in our State have lost their lives. We have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to clear a path for the voices of Black and Brown people. Defending potential means that we will stand up for what is right and take action to support our Black and Brown Littles, their families, and all people of color. As we navigate this time, learn to be anti-racist and non-complacent, we will also continue to utilize the power of relationships to build connections, reduce barriers, and defend potential. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL NEBRASKA REMAINS COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR BIGS, LITTLES, FAMILIES, EMPLOYEES AND SUPPORTERS HEALTHY AND SAFE. WE ARE CONTINUE TO TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
As participants and/or supporters of our program, we want to communicate openly with you about our procedures and plans during this pandemic. THE PLAN BELOW REMAINS IN EFFECT DESPITE THE GOVERNOR'S CHANGES BEGINNING MAY 4. Our community remains high risk and our the health and safety of our matches, staff, and the entire community remains our number one priority. IN EFFECT NOW:
EVENTS:
Thank you to all of our Bigs, Littles and their families for your understanding and commitment to one another. Thank you for your continued support of the BBBSCN mission and all you do to defend potential in our community. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL NEBRASKA REMAINS COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR BIGS, LITTLES, FAMILIES, EMPLOYEES AND SUPPORTERS HEALTHY AND SAFE. WE ARE CONTINUE TO TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
As participants and/or supporters of our program, we want to communicate openly with you about our procedures and plans during this pandemic. IN EFFECT NOW:
EVENTS:
Thank you for your continued support of the BBBSCN mission and all you do to defend potential in our community. Dear Senators Fischer and Sasse, Representatives Bacon, Fortenberry and Smith,
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Nebraska urges you to consider the needs of nonprofits in any upcoming COVID-19 stimulus legislation. Specifically, we ask the bill expressly allocate and include $60 billion for charitable nonprofits. We ask you to support Senator James Lankford’s amendment to improve the above-the-line charitable deduction by raising the cap to $4,000 and allowing all taxpayers to immediately claim the deduction on 2019 taxes and afterwards. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Nebraska (BBBCN) creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. In this, we nurture children and strengthen community. BBBSCN serves Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick counties; we have counterparts that serve youth, mentors and families across Nebraska. Not only has the pandemic paralyzed our matches’ ability to meet and grow their relationship, it has significantly and negatively impacted our revenue and ability to run our program. We are doing our best to find innovative ways to accommodate this situation but some setbacks cannot be avoided. To do our part in slowing the spread of the virus, we cancelled major fundraising events and are expecting revenue losses over $30,000. Social distancing and isolation has impeded our ability to recruit and train new volunteer mentors. As we try to overcome these challenges, it means little to our waitlist of 30+ children seeking a mentor. Our ability to support youth and mentoring relationships relies on revenue. We are bracing for a large gap between our anticipated and actual revenue. A stimulus package with meaningful assistance to nonprofits will help cushion the blow and speed our recovery. The nonprofit sector is the 3rd largest employer in Nebraska, making up over 11% of all jobs. With significant cutbacks to government social welfare programs, we were already heavily relied upon to make up for the gap of services for our community’s most vulnerable. While the COVID-19 crisis has adversely affected all sectors of the economy, today, nonprofits have become the most vulnerable. I urge you to include the policy solutions proposed by the nonprofit community in any COVID-19 relief and stimulus legislation. Sincerely, Brenna Poindexter Executive Director BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL NEBRASKA IS COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR BIGS, LITTLES, FAMILIES, EMPLOYEES AND SUPPORTERS HEALTHY AND SAFE. WE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING STEPS TO PREVENT THE INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
As participants and/or supporters of our program, we want to communicate openly with you about our procedures, plans and general tips for preventing the spread of COVID-19. IN EFFECT NOW:
EVENTS:
Thank you for your continued support of the BBBSCN mission and all you do to defend potential in our community. |