Security Service Charitable Foundation has presented Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas with a $10,000 donation that will be used to help build the South Texas Mentoring Resource Center. Currently, the mentoring organization serves close to 3,000 youth a year, providing support and guidance that at-risk youth lack at home, in school and in their community. With the new center, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be able to grow the program from serving 9,000 youth, parents and volunteers to nearly 100,000 individuals by the year 2030.
(from left) Stephen Oakes, partnership development manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas; Denise Barkhurst, president & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas; Michelle Scott, vice president of consumer lending at Security Service Federal Credit Union; and Julio Manso, chairman of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas.
“The Big Brothers Big Sisters program has been shown to improve self confidence, self esteem, academic performance and attitude,” says Jim Laffoon, president & CEO of Security Service Federal Credit Union. “Youth in the program show strong relationships with their families, are prepared to make positive decisions and possess a strong sense of their future. It’s an honor to be a part of that.”
The Security Service Charitable Foundation helps further SSFCU’s corporate goal of community service by contributing to deserving organizations and causes in the credit union’s market areas. Learn more at www.ssfcu.org or call 1-800-52-SSFCU.
Media Contacts
Clarissa Rodriguez, 210-476-4490, crodriguez@ssfcu.org
Debi Pfitzenmaier, 210-669-6911, debi@pfitzpr.com (Agency)
At the October 22, 2013, team meeting, Jon McDowell, Managing Partner of BKD, LLP, CPAs and Advisors introduced Makayla Matheson, Manager, and San Antonio BKD Foundation member who presented Navarra Williams, President & CEO, SAMMinistries with the San Antonio Board for the BKD Foundation’s annual Community PRIDE award.
Matheson had this to say, “Each year we ask our employees to nominate a charity they believe should be the recipient of our $10,000 award and to provide the committee with an example of how the charity helps and how they exhibit our PRIDE values. Our PRIDE values encompass Passion, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Excellence.” After the nominees were identified, each charity’s representative visited with BKD personnel so that they could learn firsthand about each organization’s mission. Afterwards, the employees voted and SAMMinistries was selected based on the nomination which identified SAMMinistries passion that each person it serves has the power to transform their lives and live independently. They show respect for others by treating each person with dignity and giving them equal opportunity to succeed. SAMMinistries maintains integrity by striving to be true to its values in both word and deed. They are disciplined in their approach to fundraising and in their approach with clients whose lives they are helping to re-build. SAMMinistries believes that a ministry to people in need demands their very best. In striving for excellence, SAMMinistries honors the trust that donors place in them and they give their best to clients every day.
Williams accepted a custom-made glass art work (Glen Andrews Studio: Caliente Hot Glass) award and a check for $10,000. Williams stated that, “We are honored to be chosen by BKD, and grateful for their contribution to SAMMinistries. As a Ministry, we strive to work with integrity as we help San Antonio families overcome homelessness. I am proud to lead a team that is recognized by fellow community members for this work.”