The BIG News: November 2023

The BBBSL team has been riding an epic gratitude wave as of late.

There’s so much to be thankful for — the generous support garnered through recent BIG Raise fundraising efforts, a new office space better fit for our growing team, and a host of upcoming opportunities to be together with our BBBSL families, to name a few.

As we approach this season of gratitude, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the immense impact that the act of expressing thanks can have on our well-being. Numerous studies have shown that cultivating a practice of gratitude can lead to an improved mood, reduce stress, and bolster overall mental health. Taking a moment each day to acknowledge the positive aspects of our lives, no matter how small, can create a profound shift in our perspective — a lesson that applies to Bigs, Littles, families, and BBBSL staff alike!

As we navigate through the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays, let’s collectively embrace the power of gratitude and spread joy to those around us. Continue reading to see all the exciting events and opportunities over the next few weeks!

Have FUN With Us BBBSL Activities And November Observances	Match Support When in Doubt, Reach Out!
The BIG Beyond Recent & Upcoming Speaker Series	Low Cost Meal Deals Free Kids’ Meals In The Tri-County Area

November 2023 Tri-County Happenings

Your dynamic match support team — Dana, Avery, and Syeda — is dedicated to serving you.

In addition to keeping your match coordinator apprised of any difficulties you’re experiencing, we invite you to share ALL the big and small successes achieved within your matches and the great collaborations between mentors and parents/caregivers. Here are some excellent excuses for reaching out to us:

Safety concerns: there is no such thing as a bad question when it comes to BBBSL’s first priority, child safety. If you notice an uncharacteristic demeanor, signs of abuse, or risk-taking behavior, those are legitimate reasons to reach out to your match coordinator for clarity and directions for proceeding.

Communication challenges or relationship obstacles: we each bring our own experiences, cultural frameworks, backgrounds, and biases to our different relationships in life. Differences in personalities, preferences, and communication styles can result in conflict or misunderstandings. Your match coordinators are skilled in various communication and problem-solving strategies and will work alongside you to adjust your approach or navigate a challenging situation.

Policy or procedure refreshers: My Little’s parent asked if their sibling can join us on our match activity — is that allowed? How often do I need to have a match support call with my child’s match coordinator? Am I allowed to take my Little somewhere in my personal vehicle? What’s the policy for gift-giving during the holidays? If you’re unsure about a policy or procedure, it’s always best to ask your match coordinator, who can provide quick clarification.

Additional training or referrals: part of your match support team’s role is referring Bigs to trainings or organizations that can help them improve their relationship-building with their Littles. Examples include sessions on active listening, cultural humility, conflict de-escalation, and motivational interviewing. Your match coordinator can make targeted recommendations depending on your match needs.

Academic, social, and behavioral successes: that’s right, tell us the good stuff! We love the chance to highlight your match’s recent goals, whether they center on improving school grades, building self-confidence, or trying a new activity together. Your match coordinator can also propose ways to celebrate and reinforce positive and prosocial behaviors.

Resources or match activity ideas: while your match support team is adept in connecting our Bigs and families with helpful resources, we have to admit that we get much of our inspiration from you! Did you and your Little participate in an activity that you think other matches would like? Did you work with a community organization on a particular cause and think they might be a great partner for a future BBBSL event or initiative? Let us know!

New BBBSL Headquarters Arriving 11/23!

Our 1^st BIG Beyond quarterly meeting of the year at the International African American Museum was a huge success. Dr. Felice Knight offered an exceptionally captivating talk, honoring the untold stories about the history, culture, and African American journey that can be discovered and explored at the sacred site.