Collins Aerospace
Who is Collins Aerospace?
Collins Aerospace specializes in aerostructures, avionics, interiors, mechanical systems, mission systems, and power and control systems which serve people across the commercial, regional, business aviation and military sectors. They say, “we’re working side-by-side with customers to unleash the exciting possibilities we see before us. With a comprehensive portfolio, extensive capabilities, and broad expertise, we’re crafting intelligent solutions to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market – all representing the best in innovation and technology for the industries we serve.” Collins Aerospace was acquired by United Technologies Corporation in 2018 and now is a part of parent company Raytheon Technologies which operates a variety of businesses all aerospace aligned.
What does Collins Aerospace do?
The work Collins Aerospace does can be broken down into two segments Aircraft Systems & Power, and Control & Sensing systems. Within the segment Aircraft Systems & Power, is Power distribution systems. These systems can be placed throughout the aircraft to reduce wiring which lowers the weight of the aircraft. The fuel efficiency created through introducing these devices saves the airline money. The systems also have fault detection capabilities which has the potential to save the airline money if the system were to have any mechanical issues they could be resolved quickly and early. Within the Control & Sensing systems are Engine System Sensors. These sensors provide measurements of temperature, speed, and pressure for flight and engine control systems.
How is Collins Aerospace involved in the Miami Valley?
Collins Aerospace is changing the way they approach corporate social responsibility. They not only want to look at what they can do through their products but also how they can impact future generations around the world. The company aligns their community involvement around three pillars, stem education, workforce development, and Collins community vitality. Grant funding differs between organizations as different projects will require different financial support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley received a grant of $20,000 from Collins Aerospace in 2021. Funds awarded by Collins Aerospace will be used to support the continuation of our existing mentoring matches and the creation of approximately 60 new matches expected throughout 2021-22. This support includes funding for our Enrollment and Match Support staff, as well as producing the various resources needed to recruit, screen, match, orient, train, and monitor the adult volunteers required to expand our mentoring services. Funding will also assist in providing materials, kits, and the technology needed to conduct our series of quarterly STEM workshops.
We believe this grant makes a BIG difference for our agency and community.
Mentorship empowers youth to overcome adversity and transform their lives for the better. We specialize in creating and supporting relationships that help Littles facing adversity develop the characteristics needed for academic, social, and economic success. Research indicates that even one high-quality mentoring relationship, outside of the youth’s family, can make a positive difference in a range of developmental outcomes. Mentoring better positions youth to thrive in their overall development and navigate the challenges or difficulties that they face daily. Long-term outcomes for mentored youth include an increased likelihood of post-secondary education or training, avoidance of justice system involvement, and future workforce participation.
For the Littles in our program, mentorship distracts them from the limited vision that they have for themselves. It disputes the story they have believed to be true for themselves and their future – the story given to them through life, their experiences, environment, circumstances, and the people around them. Through mentorship, Littles become inspired and open their eyes to greater possibilities, their energy and spirit is ignited, their previous belief system is dismantled, and everything becomes possible.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley
Since 1958, the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters operates under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. We make meaningful, monitored mentoring matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and local youth (Littles), ages 7 through 18, across Montgomery, Miami, Greene, and Preble counties. As the leading evidence-based mentoring organization in the Miami Valley, currently serving 344 local youth, we help children realize their full potential and build strong futures.
In addition to one-to-one mentoring, we provide group match activities focused on STEM to build confidence and self-efficacy around science, technology, engineering and math subjects and to expose them to various related career paths to help break the cycle of generational poverty. We also provide family care packages which include nonperishable food, personal care items and cleaning supplies to the youth who are in most need.
How Can You Get Involved in the Miami Valley?
We are always looking for volunteer mentors to match with youth in the Miami Valley. If you think you would make a great mentor to a child, sign up today!