Lynne Carroll is the 2nd recipient of the jessie Binford advocate for youth award. Announced earlier this month by the marshalltown federation of women's clubs in collaboration with marshalltown chamber of commerce and the historical society of marshall county, lynne Carroll is the 2nd recipient of the jessie Binford advocate for youth award. Carroll spent the last nearly two decades working for Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters and working with youth. As the director, many times Carroll would be doing administration work and making sure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed but she would always make time for youth. Carroll will receive her award officially tonight with a dinner at the Binford House. Carroll retired from Big Brothers Big Sisters at the end of July last year and has since enjoyed spending more time at home and caring for her family.

How WTW DreamBig programme empowers young people. When opportunity meets purpose, transformation happens. For Dorothy, partnering with Urban Synergy through WTW 's DreamBig programme was a chance to give back and to help young people see what's possible. The DreamBig programme empowers young people by blending life skills, professional training, and mentorship into a 2 year engagement. Dorothy and her team are empowering underrepresented students to step confidently into their futures and redefine what success looks like. How did you first connect with Urban Synergy? Probably around 2023. WTW, the company I work for, and one of my colleagues were part of a Women's Development Group and had proposed the idea of creating a pipeline for students to enter the insurance industry, specifically targeting minority and underprivileged groups. They developed the idea with cohorts in London and the US. Urban Synergy partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the US, and when the concept was pitched to its London leadership team, they loved it and wanted something similar here. That's how I met Urban Synergy. What was your role in working with Urban Synergy? I was involved with the DreamBig programme, mainly on the programmatic side. Urban Synergy did a lot of coaching and training with the students. I wrote most of the academic material for the programme and led several of the training sessions myself. What were your goals when designing the programme? Urban Synergy wanted to teach everything from basic office skills to life skills. My goal was for the students to develop more holistically as people. Coming from an underprivileged background myself, I know those lessons aren't always taught at home and they certainly weren't in mine. I took part in a programme similar to DreamBig when I was growing up, and it helped fill a lot of those gaps; professionalism, soft skills, and life lessons that shape how you move through the world as an adult. Urban Synergy wanted to do the same, give them exposure, guidance, and a sense of what's possible. I remember I didn't meet a pharmacist of colour until my senior year of high school, and it made a huge difference. When you see someone like you in a role you've never imagined before, it opens your eyes. Representation really matters. How long did the programme run? Urban Synergy ran it for two years, supporting students to move into the WTW apprenticeship programme. The first cohort actually started their apprenticeships this year, which was amazing to see. Because both programme leads, myself and a colleague from California, are US-based, Urban Synergy were also trying to secure UK-based support to manage it locally. Running it "across the pond," as they say, came with its challenges! What feedback did you receive from the students and their schools? The feedback was fantastic, from the students, parents, and teachers. Teachers told Urban Synergy the programme really helped students come out of their shells and gave them new perspectives on their career options. Three students from that cohort are now in the apprenticeship programme at WTW. Some of them hadn't known much about the insurance or finance industries before, so it opened their eyes to new opportunities. Urban Synergy also focused a lot on teamwork and public speaking. Teachers mentioned that those sessions helped build the students' confidence and communication skills, which was great to hear. What advice would you give to someone considering mentoring with Urban Synergy? Know why you want to do it and then go for it and stick with it, no matter the challenges. Young people don't know what they don't know, but they also know more than Urban Synergy give them credit for. You'll bring something valuable to the table, but you should also expect to learn something in return. Mentoring is a two-way street. Stay humble and open because both the mentor and mentee should grow from the experience. * Why Cynthia became the mentor she always wished she had In this interview, Cynthia, a journalist, talks about why she became the mentor she always wished she had... * Empowering Youth: CEO Ben Goss's Mentoring Journey Every young person deserves a chance to flourish. For Ben Goss, CEO of Dynamic Planner, empowering youth became a passion... * How this barrister is promoting social mobility Garry Green KC shares how he is promoting social mobility, how visibility can empower young people to believe in their... * Want to be a great mentor? Start by being a great listener Want to be a great mentor? Start by being a great listener. That's the advice from Patrick Clarke, Executive Director...

Honored to support Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Topgolf charity event. Last week, its team at MSD Inc. had the privilege of participating in an evening fundraising event at Topgolf benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was an inspiring mix of sport, community spirit, and meaningful connections, and a reminder of how much good happens when people rally behind youth mentorship. Bringing together fun and purpose. The event drew participants from across the region, including local leaders, businesses, and supporters of youth development. The energy was contagious, filled with friendly competition and a shared commitment to supporting the next generation. A special guest: Chase Brown of the Bengals. Adding extra excitement to the evening was Cincinnati Bengals player Chase Brown, who has been actively involved in recent celebrity charity events at Topgolf. His presence brought enthusiasm, drew attention to the cause, and highlighted how athletes can use their platforms to uplift local communities. It was inspiring to see someone Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. cheer for on Sundays showing up in person to support youth mentorship. Why Big Brothers Big Sisters matters. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati continues to make a meaningful impact through one-to-one mentoring relationships that help young people reach their full potential. Their mission aligns with its values at MSD Inc., focusing on connection, encouragement, and long-term growth. Local roots, Big impact. With teams across Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus, Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. take great pride in being part of the communities Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. serve. Many of Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. are Bengals fans, but beyond football, Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. share a deep commitment to giving back. Attending this event was a reflection of its belief that businesses thrive best when their communities do too. Supporting local youth programs is one of the many ways Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. invest in the future of its region. Looking ahead. The Topgolf event reminded Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. why community involvement is at the heart of who Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. is. Its team left feeling energized, inspired, and ready to keep building on this momentum. Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. look forward to finding even more ways to support mentorship, volunteer initiatives, and local partnerships that make a lasting difference. Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. is proud to have been part of such a wonderful evening with Big Brothers Big Sisters and are grateful to everyone who made it possible. At MSD Inc., its commitment to community doesn't stop here, it's part of everything Mechanical Systems of Dayton, Inc. do.