#OneOfMANY: Thoughts On Youth Services From Brattleboro, VT
Pictured (Left to Right): Kimberley Diemond (Director of Mentoring at BBBS) and Gina Graciano (Program Coordinator at BBBS); Gina Graciano (Program Coordinator at BBBS) and Tracy Binet-Perrin (Counselor at the Green Street School)
As part of our #OneOfMANY series, MANY is traveling all across the country, meeting with member organizations, talking about their programs, and identifying trends and issues that are happening in the youth services field across the country. We had the privilege of sitting down with one of our member organizations and a partner in their community to talk more about what makes for a successful collaboration between two youth-focused organizations.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Windham County, a program of MANY member organization Youth Services, is dedicated to providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that can change their lives for the better, forever. Recently, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windham County partnered with the Green Street School in order to better serve the families and children in their community. The following conversation features Tracy Binet-Perrin (Counselor at the Green Street School), Kimberley Diemond (Director of Mentoring at BBBS), and Gina Graciano (Program Coordinator at BBBS):
Q: How do you know when a partnership is really working?
TRACY (Green Street School): Gina and I developed a great relationship because of our passion to support kids. I felt an immediate connection and felt she was a resource to support my kids. Our partnership works because we have the same goals and beliefs about BBBS. Our communication is open. We make plans of support for kids and we both play a role in the plan. The partnership works because it is truly about what is best for the kids.
KIM (BBBS of Windham County): A partnership is really working when both parties are communicating effectively. There is equal responsibility, a shared vision and goals and objectives are being met.
GINA (BBBS of Windham County): I, too, felt a connection when Tracy and I first met. She makes it unmistakable she had the best interest of the child in mind and has an understanding about how to connect with families in this community. We both have a respect for one another which then translates into trust. When families learn and see there is trust already established, you can see a change in their demeanor. They understand we are on the same team. When you’re getting interest from families in the community and their referral source is their neighbor, I think that’s a good sign that our partnership is working.
Q: What are challenges you face as partners, and what strategies are in place to minimize issues?
TRACY: I think time is tricky. Both our positions pull us in different directions but we are flexible and want to make this work and adapt to help the process be successful. We are both committed to BBBS and the role it has in our community.
KIM: The biggest challenge with a relationship is when one or more parties lack regular communication or does not fulfill their obligations under the partnership MOU. That’s not really the case in this situation. There is good communication surrounding this partnership.
GINA: Sometimes communication challenges surface with families that we are trying to build stronger relationships with. Tracy and Mo, Green St. School’s front office manager, will assist us by confirming the best way to reach families or brainstorm ideas around others modes of communication that are outside the box. Tracy and I also try to meet monthly to pull our thoughts together around the Green St. children who have Bigs or are on our waitlist.
Q: What motivated Big Brothers Big Sisters and Green Street School to partner? What are the clear benefits of the partnership? For youth? Families?
TRACY: We partnered because it was important to the children and families we serve. Working collaboratively helps the mentor matches be successful. It allows the kids to have life changing experiences. Working with kids has to be along a continuum of services, and partnerships with agencies like BBBS only serves to improve quality of life for the students in my school. When working with kids, we talk about systems of support and BBBS is part of that system. My role as a counselor is to help kids find people to develop healthy relationships with and BBBS is critical in supporting that goal. As a school, it is unrealistic to think we can provide all things to all kids and families. Partnering with agencies that support families augments what is happening for students outside of school and allows them to be more available for learning. Students need to feel loved, safe and secure to take emotional and academic risks. Working with a mentor helps build self-confidence and self-esteem so that kids can be more available to learn.
KIM: Our mission (the BBBS mission) is for all children to achieve success in life. We are motivated to be a partner with Green St School to best meet the student's needs in our program and to recruit new Littles. The benefits to this partnership serve the students, school and community. We work together to serve the students; youth have additional advocates; families have additional support; our communities become stronger.
Q: If you could provide two thoughts as to what folks need in place to develop and maintain community partnerships.
TRACY:
- Open communication and flexibility is key. I am so grateful that Gina is so supportive of our kids.
- Sharing a common goal and communicating that goal honestly.
KIM:
- In person and electronic communication with partners on a regular basis.
- Mutually agreed upon goals.
GINA:
- A respect and understanding for what each partner’s role and responsibility is.
- Collaboration and sharing of community resources.
To follow the rest of MANY’s road trip around the country, follow the hashtag on Twitter #MANYRoadTrip here and follow the hashtag on Facebook #MANYRoadTrip here.
