04-11-08
#21
Terrie Williams honored by Big Brothers/Big
Sisters of Family Services of Westchester
Mount
Vernon's Terrie Williams continues to be honored
by one group after the other. Born, raised and
educated in Mount Vernon, Williams is a
published author of several best selling books,
a sought-after lecturer, a dealmaker, a mentor,
an executive coach, a community activist and
much more.
Williams is a success story—one built on the foundation
of the countless friends, contacts, mentors and
business associates that have helped her rise to
the pinnacle of her profession. "I have been
blessed," Williams says. "And I know that the
best way to say thank you to all those who have
done so much for me is to give something back
and pass it on to those who will follow us."
Williams' success story has been featured in numerous
publications, including The Washington Post, The
Boston Globe, Crain's New York Business, The New
York Daily News, and People, ESSENCE and Adweek
magazines. Awards and honors she has received
include: The New York Women in Communications
Matrix Award in Public Relations (she is the
first and only woman of color to be so honored
in the 31-year history of the award); the PRSA
New York Chapter's Phillip Dorf Mentoring Award;
and The Citizen's Committee for the New York
Marietta Tree Award for Public Service.
Terrie is also one of the country's most highly
sought-after speakers, and has shared her own
brand of success and personal development
strategies with numerous Fortune 500 companies,
and organizations such as New York University's
Continuing Education Program, the New School for
Social Research, and The National Hockey League,
The National Basketball Association and The
National Football League.
Recognizing Williams' many accomplishments and the
important role she plays as a community
activist,
Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of Family Services of
Westchester honored her at their First Annual
"The Big Breakfast" event, which took
place on Thursday, April 10. The breakfast and awards
presentation took place at the sprawling campus of New
York Life in Sleepy Hollows.
The list of honorees was an impressive one and
included:
-
Janet DiFiore, Westchester County
District Attorney
-
Scott Nelson, Headmaster, Rye
Country Day School
-
Jamal Crawford, New York Knicks
-
Terrie
Williams
-
Ebonette
Bates
-
Joe
Chiocchi
-
Doris
Floyd
-
New York
Life Insurance Mentors
-
Peekskill City School District
Family Services of Westchester's Big Brothers/Big
Sisters Program (BBBS), an affiliate of BBBS of
America, makes a positive difference in the
lives of young people aged 7 to 15 by placing
them in a professionally supported, one-to-one
mentoring relationship with a caring adult.
Research has shown that mentoring works: A
national study found that kids who participate
in the BBBS program are 52% less likely to skip
a day of school and 46% less likely to start
using drugs than peers who are not in the
program. BBBS helps young people achieve their
highest potential by providing committed
volunteers, guided by standards of excellence,
to help children grow to become confident,
competent and caring individuals.
When Williams was introduced
by Thomas Mitchell, Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters
of Family Services of Westchester she received a standing
ovation and many were awed by her mere presence.
She was next presented with an award by Mitchell.
"There are no other peoples' children, and it is
really incumbent upon each one of us to do what
we can to make a difference. And the amazing
thing is that when you do something for somebody
else, you are the one that gets the gift. We have a tendency to just show our victories to young
people, but I think we need to show our
victories and our challenges, so they can
understand what it takes to be a real man and a
real woman," she said.
Those in attendance were disappointed when Mitchell
informed them that Jamal Crawford was unable to attend
the ceremony due to a last minute appointment with his
physical therapist. Crawford suffered a minor injury
during a game the night before.
Near the end of the program, Mitchell informed the
attendees that
Westchester corporations are
partnering with Big Brother/Big Sisters and local school
districts to create
site-based mentoring programs.
In addition to corporate mentors, area high schools
students are also paired with elementary students in
school and site-based programs.
Before ending the ceremony, Mitchell unveiled a large
replica of a newly design postcard. The postcard will be
used in a campaign alerting the public on how to make a
big impact by becoming a big brother to a kid, along
with a list of ways one can help
Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester.
Those interested in getting involved with Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester
can contact:
Thomas
Mitchell, Program Director (914) 937-2320
Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00
p.m.
Email BBBS@fsw.org
(l
to r) Thomas Mitchell and Janet DiFiore
Newly design postcard
Terrie Williams addressing the attendees
