JUNE 2023
BIG NEWS
FEATURES
Have FUN With Us // BBBSL Activities And June Observances
Match Support Corner // Motivational Mondays & conversation starters
The BIG Beyond // Highlighting Our Scholars’ Triumphs
BBBSL Reminders // Have You Completed Your Match Survey?
Keep Mentoring And Parenting Low-Cost // Free Kids’ Meal Resources
HAVE FUN WITH US! // BBBSL Sponsored/Supported Activities
BBBSL staff will be recruiting potential Bigs and Littles at the Kids Sneakerfest!
When: Sat., June 10 from 2-6 PM
Where: The Gathering Center, 1520 Remount Rd, N. Charleston
Who: Fun and creative activities for children ages 4-12
Things To Do: face-painting, kids fashion show, Tik Tok dance & glow, balloon artists, kids DJ, and more!
To register to attend, visit kidssneakerfest.eventbrite.com
or scan the QR code in the flyer.
BBBSL staff are thrilled to have the opportunity to recruit future Bigs and Littles at the Juneteenth Family Fest this year! This event draws talented gospel singers, dancers, and artists together at Riverfront Park and culminates in a spectacular fireworks display! Register Online to attend.
Unleash your inner child when you and your Little take on 17,000+ square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines, aerial silks and flying trapeze, an arcade, and an epic ninja warrior obstacle course!
When: Sat., June 24 from 1-3 PM.
Where: Flight Adventure Park, 8551 Rivers Ave, N. Charleston
Fewer Than 10 Spaces Remain — BOOK HERE!
- June 6-11 // 3rd Annual Park Circle Pride Festival
- June 8 // National Best Friends Day
- June 10 // Free Children’s Art Day at Mary Martin Gallery
- June 11 // Second Sunday on King Street; Incredible Con Pop Culture Convention
- June 16 // Riverdogs Annual Legends in the South Game
- June 17 // Holy City Magic Family Matinee Show
- June 18 // Father’s Day
- June 19 // Juneteenth
- June 21 // First Day of Summer
- Wednesdays // Kids’ Tours at The Charleston Museum
- Thursdays // Half-priced Bowling at The Alley
MATCH SUPPORT CORNER // Conversations Re: Spending Money On Match Activities
At BBBSL, we understand that Bigs have questions about how to support their Littles in the best possible way. We receive inquiries at all stages of the match relationship, ranging from budget concerns to initiating potentially challenging conversations. While we strive to provide engaging and accessible match activities on a monthly basis, we also recognize the value of exploring additional opportunities within the community to strengthen the bond with your Little and their family.
We invite you to watch our latest Motivational Monday video featuring our CEO, Merridith Crowe, who shares insights, BBBSL expectations, and recommendations for initiating conversations regarding spending money on your match activities.
Key Takeaways
- Engage in free/reduced-cost activities (highlighted in the monthly BIG News email newsletter)
- Preserve the dignity of your Little’s caregiver and keep them in the provider seat; avoid creating a strange dynamism where life becomes more difficult between the Little and their caregiver
- Acknowledge your agency in setting expectations and making decisions regarding spending
- Compassionately, clearly, and constructively share your feelings about spending money, emphasizing BBBSL’s admonition to refrain from spending much (if any) money on match activities
- Invite your Little to be a “creative co-conspirator” in deciding how to spend a designated amount of money per month (i.e., $20/month or $10/activity).
- Embody the mindset that saying “No” is a gift and opportunity to model mutual respect, shared decision-making, and boundary reinforcement (which strengthens the development of the prefrontal cortex in the brain)
- Reach out to Merridith and/or your Match Coordinators in real-time or during monthly match support calls for guidance
THE BIG BEYOND // Highlighting Our Scholars’ Triumphs
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our BIG Beyond Scholars over the past semester at James Island Charter High School! These remarkable individuals have demonstrated dedication, resilience, and a thirst for knowledge. From achieving academic milestones to making a positive impact in their communities, our Scholars have shone brightly as beacons of inspiration. A BIG thank you to all of our Scholars, Caregivers, Parents, Bigs, JICHS staff, BBSP/BBBSL team members, and volunteers for your support, dedication, and commitment to our purpose.
Our Starbucks Quarterly Meeting on May 6th was a huge success! Scholars had the opportunity to gain knowledge about career and educational resources through Starbucks employment and complete a few rounds of mock interviews! We had 41 participants overall, including 11 sophomores, eight juniors, 13 caregivers, and nine bigs!
The BBBSL team is working on programming, curriculum, and quarterly meetings for the 2023/2024 school year. We are ecstatic to offer our first summer internship to one BIG Beyond rising senior and will continue guiding Scholars who accept apprenticeships, internships, and other opportunities through our CCSD/external partnerships. We are SO PROUD of all our Scholars and anticipate seeing them in July for a summer activity (TBD).
BBBSL REMINDERS // Have You Completed Your Monthly Match Survey?
KEEP MENTORING/PARENTING LOW-COST // Free Kids’ Meal Resources
