Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington

Big Breakfast Recap!

2012-02-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

Listen up Big Brothers Big Sisters fans,

we have some amazing news to report from our 2012 Big Breakfast!

As many of you know, January 31, 2012 BBBS hosted a free breakfast to spread the word about the importance of mentoring in the community. What made this years' breakfast even more special was that we had MLB All-Star Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen Moyer there to speak about why mentoring is so important to them.

It was an inspirational morning to say the least!

Now, what I'm sure you've all been waiting for is that big news I mentioned, right? Well we had a lot of gracious people at the breakfast that day and Big Brothers Big Sisters was able to raise over $18,000!

"BBBS-NW is grateful for the support our community has provided to make it possible for more kids, who ace adversity, to receive the mentors they need to help start him or her on the right path," said Bliss Goldstein, CEO.

We would like to give a special thank you to all of our amazing sponsors that helped make this breakfast possible: Alcoa, Sanitary Service Company, Logos Bible Software, Comcast Business Class, and Nooksack River Casino. A BIG thank you as well to Jamie and Karen Moyer and the Moyer Foundation for their dedication to improving children's lives.

If you would like to be apart of our next event then we would love to have you! Bowl for kids' Sake is coming up April 21, 2012. To register just visit our website: www.bbbs-nw.org

40 Developmental Assets talked about at the BIG Breakfast

2012-02-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

40 Developmental Assets

Support

1. Family support

2. Positive Family Communication

3. Other Adult Relationships

4. Caring Neighborhood

5. Caring School Climate

6. Parent involvement in Schooling

Empowerment

7. Community Values Youth

8. Youth as Resources

9. Service to Others

10. Safety

Boundaries and Expectations

11. Family Boundaries

12. School Boundaries

13. Neighborhood Boundaries

14. Adult Role Models

15. Positive Peer Influence

16. High Expectations

Constructive Use of Time

17. Creative Activities

18. Youth Programs

19. Religious Community

20. Time at Home

Commitment to Learning

21. Achievement Motivation

22. School Engagement

23. Homework

24. Bonding to School

25. Reading for Pleasure

Positive Values

26. Caring

27. Equality and Social Justice

28. Integrity

29. Honesty

30. Responsibility

31. Restraint

Social Competence

32. Planning and Decision Making

33. Interpersonal Competence

34. Cultural Competence

35. Resistance Skills

36. Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Positive Identity

37. Personal Power

38. Self-Esteem

39. Sense of Purpose

40. Positive View of Personal Future

A message from CEO Bliss Goldstein!

2012-01-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! This week we have a letter from our very own CEO, Bliss Goldstein! Check it out:

Happy New Year everyone! At the beginning of the year the staff and I talked a lot about creating a magnetic community and attracting great people and great opportunities to BBBS. Sometimes you get what you envision. As it turns out, 2011 was an amazing year for Big Brothers Big Sisters. From receiving Non-Profit of the Year to exceeding our goal of 300 matches served to adding a new Business Manager and a new Events Co-ordinator who are both awesome, our magnet has been strong. We've been through a year of change, that's for sure. But we're not afraid of change at BBBS because change can be good. But the true success story is our Program Staff who shepard miracles weekly, big and small. Without their tireless dedication to making sure each match is happy, healthy, safe and fun, so much good "stuff" wouldn't be coming our way. When you do good work, the word gets out. So here's to 2012. We're starting from a place of strength and want to leverage the opportunities that have come our way for further success. Last year our word was "magnetic"; this year it's "strategic." We want to live up to our mission that every child who needs or wants a mentor is matched someone they can look up to. Considering that the number of children between 6 and 14-years-old living at or below the poverty line is 3,000 in Whatcom and 2,000 in Skagit, that will take lots of brain cells from many smart and caring people to make it so. We know this won't happen over night, but we take stock and rejoice in the fact that in 2011 we started down that path with a bang. For everyone who is a part of this journey, thank you. Now let's work together to make 2012 BIG

We cant do it without your help, Start something BIG in 2012!

Volunteer Recognition Event!

2012-01-17T20:59:00.000-08:00

As a thank you to all of our amazing volunteers, we hosted a fun evening at the Upfront theater in Bellingham! We had delicious food, hilarious comedy and great company!

The theater was obviously set up for a fun night with Big Brothers Big Sisters, every table was covered in paper and adorned with markers and play-dough for all the guests. Check out this fun dragon!

After we finished our food and creations, BBBS staff took to the stage to ... wait for it ... preform a song and dance! What better way to show our appreciation for all you do?!

As if that weren't enough fun for the evening, WWU's Dead Parrot Society came out to wow the crowd with their improv comedy skills. They were a hit! Be sure to check them out if you ever get the chance. Thank you Dead Parrot Society for preforming for us, you guys rock!

We have so many volunteers to be thankful for, what would we do without you all? Bigs, we are so grateful for the difference you make in the lives of children in the community that we would throw you a party every week if we could! And we want to be sure to thank WWU's BBBS club for helping out with the event, we love having your support.

Hope to see you all there next year- thanks again for all you do for us, the community and especially the kids :)

UPDATE: Village Books Event

2012-01-16T21:15:00.000-08:00

Due to bad weather conditions, we will be postponing our Village Books Coupon day.

But keep your coupons handy, and we will let everyone know when we reschedule. Stay safe out there!

Village Books Coupon!

2012-01-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Attention all Big Brothers Big Sisters Fans! Boy do we have a treat for you!

Village Books will be hosting an Non-Profit day, in which they will be donating 10% of each purchase made to BBBS. So if you are in the mood for something good to read, and to help out your community, you're in luck because on January 17th you can do those both at the same time!

Its all very simple! Heres what you do:

On January 17th, print out the Coupon on this post, and head on down to Village Books*

Pick out something from Village Books' amazing selection

Hand the coupon to the cashier when you pay, and 10% will be donated to BBBS!

In order for BBBS to get the 10% you MUST have this coupon with you, so be sure to print one out ASAP. In fact, print out as many as you like to hand out to friends and family, encourage anyone you know to go do some book shopping with them on January 17th!

If you need help picking out a good book or two, Village Books has got you covered. Check out their Staff Picks of 2011 and read up on some of their recommendations.

The money that BBBS receives from this will go to supporting mentoring in the community- It could be the start of something BIG

*Offer applies to Village Books in Bellis Fair, and Fairhaven

HoneycrispKringle Weekend Recap

2011-12-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

If you follow our Facebook and/or Twitter, you have most likely heard that we have a new Volunteer Recruiter, Katie Allison. We are SO lucky to her her at BBBS! Last weekend she attended the HoneyKrispKringle weekend, and then wrote this wonderful blog entry for you all to enjoy:

Bellewood Blog EntryOver the weekend, I had the pleasure of running BBBS-NW’s info table at Bellewood Acres’ “Honeycrisp Kringle” event, which doubled as a fundraiser. The folks at Bellewood generously donated 10% of all sales throughout the weekend to BBBS-NW, and we are so grateful for their support. Sporting an official, Bellewood-issued Santa hat, I watched all the work that goes into a real apple farm. And the most exciting part was seeing Jake, one of Bellewood’s managers, working alongside his Little Brother, whom I’ll call Andrew.
Andrew, adorned with festive elf ears, worked like an old hand, stocking cider, moving boxes of apples, and joking with the other workers. When I complimented him, telling him he seemed like a pro, he told me that he’d actually only been to the farm a few times. “I like working out here,” he told me. “I don’t like doing chores at home, but this is fun because nobody’s making me do it.”
Watching Andrew work, happy and relaxed, grinning as his Big Brother clapped him on the shoulder for a job well done, one thought kept running through my head: this is why we do what we do.

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!

HoneycrispKringle Weekend Dec. 17-18!

2011-11-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

Once again, one of our amazing community supporters has decided to donate to BBBS! We are so lucky to have Bellewood Acres dedicate their HoneycrispKringle weekend to supporting mentoring in the community. A special thanks to Bellewood Acres, and 'Big' mentor, Jake Fowler for making this all possible.

When you visit the gift store and market stand December 17-18, Bellewood Acres will donate 10% of your total sale to benefit BBBS!

During “HoneycrispKringle Weekend” you will also have the opportunity to take part in several fun activities.

· Make your own Apple Pie, learn the secrets of pie making from the staff
· Apple Bin Train rides with Jack Frost nipping at your nose (weather permitting)
· BBBS Information Table
· Be one of the first to have an exclusive look at the new facility on the Guide Meridian. Currently under construction, you will get a short tour through the facility to learn about plans for the craft distillery, market stand, bakery, and bistro. Building opening summer of 2012.
· Apple Cuisine Samples
· Cider Donuts and Hot Spiced Cider

This would be a great weekend for a fun outing- take your Little, your friends, your family, anyone! A great activity for all ages!

Check out their website:

http://bellewoodapples.com/

Happy Holidays! We hope to see you in December!

Crab Bash!

2011-09-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Last Friday some lucky volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters got to participate in the Barkley Haggen Crab Bash! Between the Face painting, coloring contest, and sidewalk chalk drawings all the children and volunteers had a blast!

The main attraction however was inside the store doors, where crew member Mike Fortner from the Deadliest Catch TV show was signing autographs and posing for pictures. He brought with him an autographed jacket that the crew wears on the show, which was auctioned off. Proceeds from the auction went to supporting BBBS!

Thank you Haggen for inviting us to help with your event, we had a great time!

Karibou Hair Salon gives BIGS a discount

2011-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

We are very lucky at Big Brothers Big Sisters to have such amazing supporters, like the Karibou hair salon! They have graciously decided to give a 10% discount to all BIGS, and if you bring in your Little then they get a free haircut! Thank you Karibou!

Visit the Karibou Salon website for more information

School Buddies Program!

2011-09-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Most people know about our community based mentoring program, where you donate your time to a child in need and become a big brother or sister to them. Its a great opportunity to change a child's life, and if you're interested we would love to hear from you! Just contact Colleen Haggerty at (360) 671-6400

But for those of you who would love to donate your time, but are to busy to commit to the program, you're in luck! We have a school-based program, or "School-Buddies" program in which you spend an hour a week with a child, at their school. Its a much smaller time commitment, but you make just as big a difference in a child's life.

The program is designed to improve youth’s social skills as well as foster academic performance. The volunteer meets with the student on the school campus, once a week during school hours, for a minimum of one school year. They play games, shoot hoops, just hang out or work on homework. We have found that programs that encourage activities with a socio-emotional focus are more likely to have greater academic impact, higher quality and longer duration compared to programs that focus on academic/tutoring activities.

Visit our website for more information!

The Golf Classic was a great success!

2011-09-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for so much support at our most recent fundraising event, the Golf Classic! For those of you who couldn't make it, here is a little about what the Golf Classic is all about.

The tournament was held at Avalon Golf Course in Burlington, WA and organized by board member Stan Chronister. It was the first event that saw dramatic gains under the watch of recent addition Bliss Goldstein CEO. “Every time I heard the clink of a golf ball being hit, I thought ‘there’s one more at-risk kid we can help,’” said Goldstein. “This amazing turn out says to me that the community wants Big Brothers Big Sisters to succeed and to help these children succeed by giving them their very own personal mentors.”

The Golf Classic is a board driven event, designed to put as little pressure as possible on the staff of BBBS, who are already running lean to stay viable during difficult economic times. The board has recently felt a resurgence of devotion and dedication to seeing BBBS succeed while other non-profits are struggling. All board members committed to seeking donations, teams, sponsors, and players which resulted in a net profit increasing 178% increase from last year’s efforts. “We had wonderful sponsor support from the local community this year, the best turnout we've ever had for golfers, and it made for a very successful day for BBBSNW,” said Stan Chronister, who organized the event.

To see more pictures from the event, visit our Facebook page!

BBBS serves 300 children throughout Whatcom county annually and matches children whose futures are at risk with the childhood they deserve. BBBS has the BIG goal of providing a mentor for every child in the community who wants or needs one. After all, every child needs someone to look up to.

BIG Breakfast

2011-07-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

Once again, Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to thank everyone who came out to our BIG Breakfast, and all of our volunteers who helped make it happen. In addition, a big thank you to our event sponsors BP Cherry Point Refinery, our table sponsors- Sanitary Service, and Unity Group for our center pieces.

“This year our theme is ‘Windows of Opportunity,’ because we know that the window to have a happy, healthy childhood is time limited,” said Bliss Goldstein, CEO at BBBS. “We are proud to say we provide children whose futures are at risk with the childhood they deserve—before that window closes.”

Tim and Becki Murphy of Innovative Industrial Contractors were awarded the Big Heart award for being outstanding volunteers. We dont know what we would do without them and all that their family has done to help BBBS throughout the year.

"On behalf of our Littles, thank you for sharing your big hearts"

[CEO Bliss Goldstein presenting the award to Becki Murphy]

The breakfast seemed to serve as reminder that being a mentor in someones life is an amazing opportunity. Children who are mentored are 85% more likely to graduate from high school and 97% less likely to get in trouble with juvenile authorities. In addition, we mentor the mentors. Many volunteer “Bigs” say the same thing: “I get more out of the relationship than my Little.

We were lucky to have such amazing Bigs at the breakfast who shared their stories about being a Big Brother or Sister. One Big and Little pair got up to share a heartwarming story about their special bond, and her Little was kind enough to read a poem she wrote about her Big Sister to all of us.

Another story that was featured at the breakfast was from Mike Murphy,

here is a bit about what he wrote about his experience:

“That eventful day when I first met Glenn and his mother at their modest home in south Bellingham is burned into my memory like few other memories in my life, and just recalling it now is making tears roll down my face. The door was opened by a shy little boy wearing his little league uniform and carrying a mitt and baseball (he knew by my bio that I liked baseball as well, and so he was prepared to make an impression!). I could tell he was just as excited as me at the prospect of meeting a new friend that was likely going to become very special."
If you would like to read more testimonials about being a Big, please visit our website and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

For information on how you can become a Big, please visit our website at www.bbbs-nw.org !

Ski to Sea!

2011-05-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

Alright everyone its finally here! Ski to Sea Grand Parade will be taking place this weekend, and BBBS will have a float. Come on out for some fun and to cheer us on! Here is a map to give everyone a general idea as to where we will be:

We will be float #87, judging is at noon. Hope to see you there!

School Buddies!

2011-04-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

With Big Brothers Big Sisters, there are multiple ways to get involved with the community- the School-Based Mentoring Program is an innovative approach created by Big Brothers Big Sisters to reach a more diverse population of children. The program is designed to improve youth’s social skills as well as foster academic performance. The volunteer meets with the student on the school campus, once a week during school hours, for a minimum of one school year. They play games, shoot hoops, just hang out or work on homework. We have found that programs that encourage activities with a socio-emotional focus are more likely to have greater academic impact, higher quality and longer duration compared to programs that focus on academic/tutoring activities.

Here is a message from one of our participating elementary school teachers:

The Big Sister program has had an instant and amazing impact on my two students. I have never seen them beam as much since they’ve had this opportunity to connect with an older ‘sister’ buddy. The attention they receive seems to fill up their emotional tank. Both seem so much less needy in the classroom. I am truly impressed.

-Happy Valley Elementary Teacher

For more information on the School Buddies Program contact Colleen Haggerty at (360) 671.6400 (102)

Story #6!

2011-04-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some great reasons to be involved with BBBS from our very own Linda Cundiff. For more information on being a BIG visit out webpage, and check it out! There are so many different opportunities for someone to help out with BBBS, you might be surprised!

Many things have impressed me at BBBS. Not being directly involved with program area I only hear snippets of stories:

· The relationships that continue between the big and little long after the match has ended.

· The reasons why volunteers become bigs especially the story of one big who appreciated the importance and support of his older brother after his father had passed away.

· The generosity of our donors.

· The dedication of our staff.

Letter from a Little

2011-04-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

A cute letter from one of our Littles :)

Dear BBBS,

Let me tell

you about my 2 years

as Rex Dudley’s

little brother. He

has encouraged me

to get good grades

in school, took me

places that I wouldn’t

have been able to go

to without him,

and he has got

me to do things

I had never done

before.

sincerely,

little brother

P.S I want to be

a big when I grow

up.

Story #5!

2011-04-05T14:18:00.001-07:00

Lynn's second story, a great example of how long the relationship between a Big and Little can last.

A mom of a former Little Brother called and said her son’s former Big Brother was going to be visiting soon and she asked if they could come to our office to take a picture of them in front of our big logo sign on the window. They had been matched in another city, but the boy and his mom now live in Bellingham and she had seen our logo while driving by. The boy was turning 18, so the Big Brother was invited to celebrate the birthday with him. They had remained in touch even though they live in separate states now.

The Big Brother had come to town another time to help the Little Brother investigate college opportunities.

So on the day of the birthday, all three of them (mom, Little and Big) came to the office to get some pictures taken. The “Little” Brother was now about 4 inches taller than his “Big” Brother so that in itself made an interesting picture. And then we learned that the Big’s birthday gift to his Little Brother would be to pay for his college expenses! The mom was really excited because a college education probably wouldn’t have been attainable any other way. There were lots of BIG smiles that day to catch on camera.

Bowl for Kids' Sake Press Release!

2011-03-31T16:45:00.000-07:00

Bowlers in tutus and green wigs were seen at the 14^th Annual Bowl for Kid’s Sake. The event benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBSNW) brought in over $36,000. Held on March 27, 2011, the event was a culmination of community support all coming together at Park Bowl in Bellingham for a celebratory day of bowling, pizza and prizes.
“This event continues to be successful because of the support we receive from local businesses and individuals that are so dedicated to helping children in our community,” says Bliss Goldstein, CEO at BBBSNW. “Without this support we could not continue our vital mentoring programs. The funds are used to support matches between Big Brothers or Sisters and children - whose futures are at risk - giving them the childhood they deserve. With Bowl for Kid’s Sake kids truly win.”
Local celebrities, such as, Mayor Dan Pike, Miss Whatcom County 2011, Miss Whatcom County 2010 and Mrs. Washington helped kick off bowling sessions. Both Sponsors and individual teams came together to show their support with the generous donations that came through the door throughout the day.
A vital piece to the day was the volunteers groups from the Girl Scouts of America, Kohl’s, WWU and past or current Big Brothers or Big Sisters who showed up to help make it happen. “As a Big Sister, I was honored to be a part of this event that helps to raise funds towards a program that has enhanced not only my life, but the 400 matches in Whatcom and Skagit county.” said Amanda Sutton, Bowl for Kid’s Sake volunteer.
BBBSNW is grateful that the thank you list is too long to print. Please check our website for a list of sponsors and top fundraisers from this year’s Bowl for Kid’s Sake www.bbbs-nw.org.
Top team costumes of the day were awarded to the Lucky Lenders at Pacific Northwest Credit Union, the Bowllerinas at Botanical Laboratories and the Bobble Globble team. With the enthusiasm created by the costumes and the mission of BBBSNW you can bet there will more teams participating in this event next year.
ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST WASHINGTON

Story #4!

2011-03-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Our office administrator Lynn Dayton is very lucky to be able to meet and greet all of our Bigs and Littles who come into our offices. She hears stories from many of our volunteers about their experiences and what a difference Big Brothers Big Sisters had made in their lives. For this and next weeks blog story, Lynn had been kind enough to share some of her favorites with us :)

One day an older gentleman walked in (at our Broadway location) and said he had been a Big Brother many years ago in Whatcom County. While he was visiting family in Bellingham he noticed our office and wanted to stop in to say hello. He reminisced about his days as a Big Brother, matched with a Little Brother from a single-mom home. He had introduced his Little to many outdoor activities including hikes in the woods and mountain climbing. Those fun activities and introduction to nature probably wouldn’t have otherwise been experienced by the Little Brother. When the Little became 18 the official match ended but they remained very good friends and stayed in touch even though they both moved to different states. The “Big” (now 80 years old) talked about the pleasure of being included in his Little Brother’s wedding.

A few months after that visit, both “Big” and “Little” were in town at the same time and they came to the office together to visit us. At that time we learned that all the outdoor activities they enjoyed together years ago resulted in the Little Brother now serving in the US Forest Service!

Mentors Make a Difference

2011-03-24T23:12:00.000-07:00

The following story was written by one of our Bigs, Alyssa. She was kind enough to let us re-post it from the Whatcom Volunteer Blog. She covers what it was like getting matched up with a little, and why she loves volunteering for BBBS-NW.

A big thanks to Alyssa for sharing her story with us!

Mentors Make a Difference

After interning in an 8^th grade classroom for six months I decided teaching wasn’t for me. For one, I need to be liked! It’s hard to win approval from 30 students when you’re at the front of a classroom handing out lunch detentions. I had pretty much written off working with kids when I happened to meet Samantha DeSoer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington. She explained that their Littles (youth enrolled in the program) like their Big (the adult) just for who they are. A Big’s role is to just be there. Someone else gets to be the parent and teacher. The Big gets to listen and have fun. Well, that sounded like something I could do so I immediately signed up.

I didn’t get my match overnight as I had to go through an interview, background check and training. Then I waited for the right kid to come along. The process gave me enough time to daydream about all the great adventures my match and I would have, but I also started to worry- will she like me?

Now that I’m matched with a wonderful Little, I still wonder if she’s having a good time or if she thinks I’m cool. BBBS-NW says not to worry, just being present in her life is enough. Sure, going to the Star Wars exhibit at the Pacific Science Center is fun, but even just a phone call shows her I care.

I love volunteering for BBBS-NW because it’s a proactive way of raising engaged, responsible members of our community. Youth with mentors have better attendance in school, are less likely to use drugs/alcohol, and have more self-confidence. If you’ve read one of my other blogs, you know I value proactive causes (http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/a-little-snippet-of-my-volunteer-time/). So for this reason (and many others) I am happy to be a Big through BBBS-NW.

Story #3!

2011-03-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

This week's story is from Dana! Read on to discover what her job with Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about, and for some delightful quotes from some of the Littles she has worked with.

Match Support Specialist—hmmmm—initially, a rather cryptic and ponderous title for me. Then I started meeting currently matched Bigs and Littles in the School Buddy Program—seeing their smiles as they told me about one another. I started interviewing prospective Bigs and Littles—sensing their desire to make a real difference in the life of a child. I started matching Bigs and Littles myself—perceiving the nervous excitement and self-conscious hopefulness that comes with beginning a friendship. I started asking questions, listening, observing, absorbing, and learning.

And recently, I’ve been experimenting with how to do this label. That’s the tricky part, right? I know that I want to help Bigs and Littles foster meaningful relationships—connections that transform perceptions and transcend differences. What an amazing, dynamic thing to hope and strive for at work! But what does this sound like in words? What does it look like in actions? This brings me back to “hmmmm.”

So basically and practically-speaking the main mechanism of Match Support, happens as a face-to-face check-in with the Little and a phone conversation with the Big every other month. I ask questions to see how things are going and to bring any issues to the surface that might need some attention. This past month I did my first round of match support with all 49 of my current matches.

The resulting 98 conversations definitely provided me with a lot of initial insight into what Big Brothers Big Sisters is really about, the strengths and challenges of the School Buddies Program and a better idea of how I want to fill this role in a thoughtful, effective way that I can really be proud of.

For now, here are some sweet quotes from Littles this time around. Sentiments like these encourage me to keep constructing a version of Match Support that can genuinely promote those meaningful connections and support them though the inevitable ups and downs.

Little Quotes from My First Round of Match Support

· I’m always so happy to see her!

· He talks to me like a regular person, not like a kid.

· She makes me feel wonderful!

· She cares for me and watches out for me—she’s just my best friend.

· When I’m feeling down and tell her about a bad day, she makes me feel better.

· She’s really nice and never makes me do stuff I don’t want to do.

· We have so many things in common!

· She’s knows how to play around and have fun—she’s like a big kid!

· She shows me respect with her kind words.

· Nothing stops him from coming!

Story #2!

2011-03-16T01:45:00.000-07:00

This week our story is from Samantha DeSoer, a touching example of how BBBS makes an impact in so many peoples lives.

“So what do you do? I’m a college student, but what do you do?” This question coming from a woman who just started a conversation with me as I was riding the bus back out to Nooksack.

She was sharing with me her excitement on receiving her tax refund to purchase a desperately needed car. Her train of thought then turned to how thankful she was for all the gifts she had in her life, after being homeless and what I assume to be other struggles, “I thank God that I have a floor to mop and a pan to wash!”

When the conversation was then pushed into my direction, I answered that I work for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Do you?! Do you really?!” This woman, who I had never met until a few short minutes before, started welling up reminiscing about the relationship she had with her “Big” as a youth. Tears freely rolled down her cheeks as she remembered her very first Prince record, going to see Janet Jackson in concert, and the unconditional acceptance her Big gave her. My bus companion came from an abusive, alcoholic home and the acceptance she received from her BS, who never judged the situation, has never left her. “I would be in a much worse state without the attention she gave me.” She gently took my hand, looked deeply into my eyes and thanked me; this stranger thanked me for the work I do, the relationships I help create, and the impact I make on a daily basis. As we were approaching her stop, she wanted me to know that she’s going to graduate next year from WCC and transfer to WWU to be a chemical dependency advocate for youth.

As she got up, I realized the importance of this interaction, that because of her experience as a Little, she is now pursuing a profession to make positive changes in youths lives. I took her hand and thanked her back.

Stories from the Staff

2011-03-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, in the upcoming weeks we will be posting some amazing stories written by the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff, detailing some of the many wonderful moments that they've experienced while being a part of BBBS. There are so many meaningful things that happen at BBBS and we just had to share them all with you!

Our first entry is from Laurel Kunesh, our match support specialist and school buddies coordinator

Stories – that’s what it’s all about; listening to stories. I learn about kindhearted, big hearted, adults who want to spend time volunteering by listening to their life stories. Some understand loss and loneliness and want to help a child feel loved and special. Some grew up in what they feel was an idyllic family setting and they want to “give something back” to society. Others just want to hang out with a kid and have some fun.

Listening to the stories of the children is fascinating in a different way. Some answer questions you didn’t even ask, their stories are bursting out their seams. Some are sheltered and innocent and they don’t know how chaotic their home life really is….they don’t know it could be different; well, some of them know it is different for some of their peers and they secretly envy them. Some are surrounded by loving adults who understand that their child needs extra attention, they ask for a Big for their child to help fill that empty spot.

Eventually matches are made and stories blend – pasts are shared – futures are projected. New stories emerge, new memories are created. Supporting each match means putting all the bits and pieces together; adding to each story are those who form the village: teachers, counselors, occasional family members, and anyone else who show up on the path.

Matching stories, pairing lives, supporting relationships, that is what my job is all about.

BBBS and United Way!

2011-02-28T20:13:00.000-08:00

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW Washington loves United Way! They provide a safety net in our community that’s essential. We are proud to be community partners with them. Check them out!

2011-02-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS ANNUAL BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE

SET TO ROLL OUT FUN AND SUPPORT FOR LOCAL KIDS

Bellingham, WA – February 28, 2011 - Bowl for Kids’ Sake, an annual fundraising event for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBSNW) is now in full swing. The culminating, celebratory event is on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Bellingham Park Bowl at 4175 Meridian St, Bellingham and includes pizza, T-shirts and prizes for competitors.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is not just about raising funds, it’s about commemorating the funds raised to help children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties to contribute to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities for generations to come from both participants and sponsors. Each team is comprised of a team captain, plus four team members, all expected to raise $100 each.

“What most people don’t realize is even though it sounds like a lot, $100 is only asking 10 friends for $10 each or 20 friends for $5 each,” says Jayson Radmer, Vista Volunteer Recruiter for BBBSNW.

There are seven different time slots to participate in and the event is targeted to all members of the community, not just Big Brothers or Sisters. There are six levels of sponsorship for corporate sponsors, who are encouraged to assist with funds, as well as provide participants for a session of bowling in exchange for company exposure.

The mission of BBBSNW is to help children of Northwest Washington reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. This is achieved both through fundraising and personal time volunteered from Big Brothers and Sisters.

“We hope to not only raise funds by holding this event,” says Bliss Goldstein, CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters Northwest Washington, “but also to raise awareness to the community of our goals and the need for more mentors. We currently have a waiting list for kids hoping for a Big Brother or Sister.”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is the largest mentoring organization in Northwest Washington, serving over 400 children annually in Whatcom and Skagit counties. We have a BIG dream of transforming our communities, our state, and eventually our nation through a mentoring movement that brings a caring, supportive adult mentor into the life of every child who needs and wants one. For more information about the event, sponsorship or media enquiries, please contact Jayson Radmer at (360) 671-6400 x 112 or jaysonr@bbbs-nw.org. Or visit our website: www.bbbs-nw.org.

Upcoming Event!

2011-02-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars everyone! Weve got an awesome new event coming up!

Thanks!

2011-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Chili Chowder Cookoff was a great success, we raised a lot of money for a great organization and had a lot of fun while we did it! Thank you to everyone who came out to support BBBS and to all of the sponsors, staff, and volunteers. We couldn't have done it without you!

Chuckanut Brewery
The Marion Weston Band
Chuck Dingée
Avenue Catering
Chuckanut Manor
The Bagelry
The Swan Cafe (Community Coop)
Haggen's Market Street Catering
Boundary Bay Brewery
Kelly's O'Deli
Cafe Caffe
Daisy Cafe
BBBS of WWU Club

If you would like to see more pictures from the event, Visit our Facebook page!

Chili Chowder Cookoff!

2011-01-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington’s third annual Chili and Chowder Cook-off will be stirring up support for kids at 12-3pm, Saturday, January 29^th at Chuckanut Brewery, 601 West Holly Street, Bellingham.

Looking for something fun, yet warm to do this month? Come celebrate National Mentoring Month with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington at the third annual BIG Cookoff: Chili and Chowder for the Children on January 29^th. We’ll be gathering around the firepit at Chuckanut Brewery, 601 West State Street, from noon to 3.

Sample and vote on chilies and chowders from our best restaurants and caterers in town: Chuckanut Brewery, Boundary Bay, Café! Caffe, Chuckanut Manor, Bagelry, Swan Café, Haggen Market Place Catering, Kelly’s O’Deli, Daisy Café, and Avenue Catering, as they all vie to win The BIG Bowl in Bellingham.

Entrance is $10 and you get chili and chowder samples from all participating restaurants and live music from the Marion Weston Band and Chuck Dingée. In addition to the steaming treats and heated competition, you can meet Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers and staff and find out more about this great program that can make a big difference in a child’s future.

If you want to participate in the Chili and Chowder Cook-Off, just show up! There is no preregistration or participant limit.

Happy 2010

2010-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the New Year!

Here at BBBS we're extremely excited to welcome 2010! 2009 was a tremendous success for our agency and we're so happy to announce that we are currently serving 411 matches in our community based and school buddies program and those numbers keep on growing. That's 411 children with mentors, 411 children having fun, 411 children getting one on one attention which helps them grow and thrive in our world! Thanks to everyone involved in making 2009 so successful including our volunteers, staff, board members, donors, and supporters!

A Quick Office Update

2009-09-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

The leaves are changing, school's back in session and people are starting to wear socks with thier sandals again. Must be Fall.

Fall is probably the busiest time of year at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Program staff start reconnecting School Buddies matches that have lost touch over the summer, we start making new matches, Fund Development kicks Gala planning into high gear, and we're all out trying to spread the word about mentoring.

We have two new staff members: Laurel and Jenny. Jenny's our new Match Support Specialist, working in the Community-Based Program, while Laurel is helping out as a new School Buddies Coordinator.

We're all thinking about leaving the office early and going to jump in some leaf piles. Happy Fall, everybody!

Study demonstrates mentoring's effect on communities

2009-09-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Check out http://http://www.preventionaction.org/what-works/ctc/5072 for an interesting article about the further impact of mentoring.

Turns out mentoring reaches out far beyond just the two individuals (The Big and The Little) to affect the whole community. Kids from a community with solid mentoring programs are less likely to start using alcohol, less likely to start smoking, and less likely to be involved in binge drinking.

We at BBBSNW already knew these facts for the kids with mentors, but this study shows the benefits reach out far beyond the individuals. In fact, this study from the University of Washington found that kids from communities without mentors were 41% more likely to participate in delinquent behavior.

All this just goes to affirm the BBBSNW vision: successful mentoring relationships contribute to brighter futures, better schools and stronger communities.

Breakthrough Study Illustrates the Power of Mentoring

2009-06-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

A new study by Harris Interactive on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America has found that children mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs are more likely than their peers to have four year college degrees and incomes of more than $75,000.

Click below to learn more.

http://sev.prnewswire.com/education/20090616/PH3204016062009-1.html

Welcome!

2009-06-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington Blog!

Please follow this blog for the most up-to-date information about BBBSNW, and to keep your finger on the pulse of the mentoring movement of Whatcom and Skagit Counties.