Below is the most recent Betty Story BFF has received. Enjoy reading a slightly abridged version from Susan Cuffari, and we look forward to your Betty Story too!

The summer of 2008 I began my work at Charter college as Director of Student Success. My role is to advocate for our student population, coaching, supporting and finding resources so thay may reach their goal of graduation.

I will never forget my first week on the job and the two young ladies that entered my office. One was a young mother whose husband had been laid off. With their struggle to stay afloat and without being able to afford the payment of her in-school loan, she would soon be dropped with just 3 months left before she graduated. I was determined to find her help. That’s when my previous employment skills of cold calling came in. I searched the yellow pages and the web. I soon found the Betty Ferguson Foundation. I called and a kind woman answered the phone, Marjanne Priest, co-founder of BFF. She was happy to meet with me. When we met, I told her Esther’s story and that is how our relationship began. The mission of BFF is to support and promote the personal and professional growth of women and teen girls. My mission is to support and promote the goals of Charter College students. Very similar missions.

Esther went on to graduate and gain employment locally with Facey medical Group.

Since that first meeting with Marjanne, and a few relocations for BFF, they have funded multiple students here at Charter College and therefore assisted them in moving forward towards their goals to graduate and gain meaningful careers here in our Santa Clarita Valley. The BFF has been a God send for me and the women they have supported.

I am so blessed to be the deliverer of good news and a partner with BFF in transforming women’s lives.

A beautiful story…..and yours?

Betty Ferguson Foundation’s (BFF) Youth With A Voice (YWAV) program has been hosting summer drop-in gatherings. The last two are scheduled for Wednesday July 21st and August 4th, 2010. They are from 1pm to 3pm. It is open to all girls and young ladies grades 5 through 12.

The most recent YWAV drop-in was quite successful. BFF Board Member Janine Jones, who has been a resident of Santa Clarita Valley since 1972, was the facilitator of the day. Janine received her B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz , and continued her graduate work at California State University Northridge. Janine returned to the SCV to teach grammar school in the Sulphur Springs School District. She taught 4th grade until she got married. (more bio info on Janine can be found at www.bettyferguson.org) Following is her recap of that Summer Drop-In.

“When I arrived I wrote a question on the board for the girls to contemplate, then I asked for their opinion. The topic was Non-Verbal Communication focusing on ones’ unconscious body language. I brought my daughter, Bailey (age 14), and my other daughter’s best friend, Madeline (age 16), to help demonstrate positive and negative body language. The purpose of the seminar was to educate the girls on what non-verbal communication/body language is, and the messages they send to the people around them. I believe I was successful in teaching the girls, with photos, demonstrations, and information, why they should be aware of the messages they are sending, i.e. folding their arms in front of their chests, slumping their shoulders and looking down while they walk into a room, hiding their eyes or face behind their hair when they speak, etc… when they are in public, especially in a new environment, such as a new school, or social gathering. The goal that was mutually agreed upon by the girls was to adopt a positive body stance to appear more friendly and approachable in public, therefore enabling the possibility of meeting new people, and making new friends in any situation they find themselves in. We closed the seminar with dividing the girls into two groups which Bailey and Madeline led. My purpose was for the groups to be small and intimate to allow for a comfortable atmosphere to ask Bailey and Madeline any questions they might have about going into Junior High or High School for the first time.”

YWAV is a wonderful place for young girls to learn more about themselves and growing up in today’s society. If you would like to attend the next YWAV Drop-In, or have questions, please call the office @ (661) 702-8712.

RALPH’S GROCERY STORE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM SUPPORTS BETTY FERGUSON TO HELP WOMEN & YOUTH IN OUR SOCIETY!

Dear Friends,

Betty Ferguson Foundation has an exciting opportunity to participate in Ralph’s Grocery Company’s Community Contribution Program!

Friends of Betty Ferguson Foundation (BFF) can support us simply by registering their Ralph’s Rewards Card online at www.ralphs.com.

Ralph’s will donate a percentage of purchases made with Ralph’s Rewards Card back to us. This offer is only good on cards registered to Betty Ferguson Foundation.

Here’s how to help BFF and register:
1. Go to www.ralphs.com
2. Click “Create Account”.
3. Select your preferred store, enter your email and create a password.
4. Next page: Enter your Ralph’s Rewards Card number, personal information, agree to terms and conditions, and then “complete registration”.
5. An email will come to your email inbox (the email you used to register). Check this and then click on the link within the email.
6. Click on “My Account” and enter your email address and the password you just created.
7. Click on “Edit Community Contribution” information and type in the BFF 5 digit NPO #92066. Click “search.” Select Betty Ferguson Foundation. Click “Save Changes.”
8. Now, just shop at Ralph’s and be sure to swipe your rewards card when you do!

It’s as easy as that!
Thank you for your support!

Marcie Gorham, Mes Amies member for 9 years now, delightfully tells us her Betty story…

“When I moved to Santa Clarita from the Silicon Valley, 9 years ago, I was new to the community and seeking to make new friends and contacts. The Mes Amies group at the Betty Ferguson Foundation was the perfect resource and social place to go, and certainly became that for me.

Such an open and extremely flexible group, you can easily become part of the Mes Amies family of friends and you can always count on having an extremely fun and enjoyable time at their various events and meetings.

I am always extremely thankful for the warm welcome that was given to me and certainly grateful to have accumulated such a wonderful group of friends through this unique organization. I look forward to making future friends at Mes Amies, but most importantly keeping the many friends I have met and cherish.”

Marcie tells a wonderful tale….we’d love to hear yours too. E-mail your Betty Story to lauren@bettyferguson.com, we’d happily post it as well.

Mes Amies, My Friends, bestows an award to the person we consider to be the volunteer of the month. In June, Patricia Bosdet was named! Patricia was a great help at our Vine 2 Wine event this year! She has also helped teach the YWAV girls how to knit in the past…and has generously knitted blankets and afghans which she donates to our silent auctions at events. Patricia is always at Mes Amies and DIVA. But, most of all, we love Patricia for how she lifts us up here at BFF. She calls us, writes us nice notes and even drops in – all of which makes the office staff and leadership team feel so appreciated! Thank you Patricia! We love you!