September 2023 Features
Have FUN With Us // BBBSL Activities And September Observances
Match Support // Mandatory Reporting 101 + Crisis Text Line
The BIG Beyond // Service Opportunities & Program Announcements
We’re Growing/Moving! // Bigger Goals, Bigger Staff, Bigger Space!
BBBSL Reminders // Have You Completed Your Match Survey?
Keep Mentoring & Parenting Low-Cost // Free Kids’ Meal Info
The BIG Raise, our peer-to-peer fundraising initiative, is going on NOW through September 30! Thank you to all of you Bigs who are hosting your own pages. To those of you who were unable to participate, we hope that you will consider supporting your fellow Bigs as they raise $60,000 for the mission this month. Funds raised go right back into the program to make even MORE amazing matches like yours!
Check out our Bigs’ stories and support them today, or better yet, lead your own fundraising effort!
WHILE THIS EVENT IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT, THERE MAY BE CANCELLATIONS. INTERESTED BIGS SHOULD CONTACT MERRIDITH@BBBSLOWCOUNTRY.ORG.
September STEM Adventure
Are you ready for an adventure that will ignite you and your Little’s curiosity and passion for STEM? Ever wanted to see INSIDE Boeing South Carolina? We are excited to extend an exclusive invitation to Littles (ages 10 and up) and their Bigs to join us for a remarkable experience at Boeing South Carolina’s renowned DreamLearners education program!
📅 Saturday, September 16
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🏢 Boeing, 5400 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC
Since its inception in 2012, the DreamLearners program has been an exceptional source of inspiration for more than 1 million students and community partners. This initiative is designed to offer South Carolina youth a unique chance to explore the world of aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and STEM careers.
Schedule for the day:
9:15-9:30 AM: Arrive promptly onsite at Boeing SC in comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes.
9:30-9:45 AM: Security escort vehicles onsite to Final Assembly parking. Group escorted into 4th floor tour balcony.
9:45-10:30 AM: Group photo, short presentation, and visual walking tour of Final Assembly facility
10:30-11:15 AM: Project-based paper airplane team-building activity with flight competition and prizes; career speakers
It’s Time For A Summer Spray-Down
Come get a car wash for a cause! Head over to Tidal Wave Auto Spa on September 15. Whether you’re looking for a basic wash with tire shine, a hot wax treatment for added protection from grime, or the full signature dry n’ shine experience, you can choose the car wash package that fits your vehicle’s maintenance needs. The best part? 50% of all proceeds that day will benefit BBBSL!
September 2023 Tri-County Happenings
September 9 // STEAM Saturday: Nature Protectors
September 10 // Lowcountry Food Bank Walk to Fight Hunger (5k or 1-mile family-friendly loop)
September 23 //Teen Science Cafe: Rollin’ On The River
September 23 // 20th Anniversary Bash (20-cent admission to the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry)
September 23 // Carolina Children’s Charity care.give.run (5k partial trail run and family fun walk)
September 27 // Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse (Live In Concert)
September 1-30 // When It Rains It Shines (Special exhibit at the International African American Museum)
Why does match support matter?
How much should you share with your Little/Scholar’s caregivers and BBBSL?
When should you call us about a potential issue?
And what happens with all that survey data?
Click image to view video
As a child safety organization, BBBSL first and foremost prioritizes the well-being of our Littles and Scholars. BBBSL is committed to a team approach in which our staff, volunteer Bigs, and family members collaborate to protect the youth in our collective care. In addition to tracking progress toward each Little’s Youth Outcome Plan and spreading “positive gossip,” our monthly match support calls enable BBBSL to hear from caregivers and Bigs regarding any questions, concerns, or observations they have related to child safety.
In this edition of Motivational Monday, CEO Merridith Crowe sheds light on important considerations regarding match support and child safety. It’s okay to not have all the answers. If you are unsure about something you hear, witness, or sense, please reach out to your BBBSL match coordinator for guidance.
BBBSL Announces New National Partnership With Crisis Text Line
BBBSL is excited to share our newest national partnership with Crisis Text Line to help spread mental health awareness and support young people in their time of need.
Crisis Text Line is a nonprofit organization that provides free, 24/7, confidential text-based mental health support in both English and Spanish.
As we expand our offerings to improve the overall well-being and safety of youth served in local programs, we are excited to bring in additional forms of support that can be accessed at any time, from anywhere.
Anyone seeking support can text Big Brothers Big Sisters’ unique keyword BIG to 74141 to speak with a compassionate, trained crisis counselor.
The first quarterly in-person meeting for the BIG Beyond — originally scheduled to take place on September 9 — has been rescheduled. It will now take place on October 21 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the International African American Museum located at 14 Wharfside St., Charleston, SC 29401. Our speaker for the hour will be Dr. Felice F. Knight, who serves AS Director of Education at the IAAM.
BIG Beyond Scholars are invited to spend the morning volunteering at Pet Helpers with members from Blackbaud’s BLEND Affinity Group!
Blackbaud is the essential software provider for people and organizations who change the world. BLEND (Black Employees Encouraging Diversity) is a team of African-American employees and allies focused on mentoring, social well-being, and community service at Blackbaud.
Date: Saturday, September 30th
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Where: Pet Helpers 1447 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Having just concluded our service year, we are thrilled to share our remarkable results. With your support, we successfully created and nurtured 254 life-changing mentorship relationships. These “matches” not only touched the lives of our Littles, their families, and our Bigs, but they also resulted in critical improvements in academic, social, emotional, and aspirational outcomes among our youth.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for being an integral part of this success. Your unwavering support and dedication continue to play a pivotal role in propelling us forward and enabling us to make BIGGER difference in the lives of deserving young individuals year after year.
To express our gratitude, we invite you to watch our year-end video. Please take a moment to watch and share with colleagues, family, and friends. Know your continued advocacy and commitment to #TEAMKID will make it possible for us to continue to GROW as we create and support 335 mentoring relationships by June 2024 and 500 by 2025.
New Staff/Board Announcements
Congratulations to Peter Davidson of King & Society Construction and long-time board member of BBBSL, who was recently elected as Chair of the BBBSL Board of Directors. We are grateful for your continued dedication and stewardship as we strive to reach our #TEAM500 goal!
Welcome to Nikki Kuniej, Director of Digital Strategy at Charleston Radio Group, to the BBBSL Board of Directors! Nikki was recently recognized as one of Charleston Regional Business Journal’s 40 Under 40? In addition to her professional leadership experience, Nikki brings six years of experience as a BBBSL Big Sister, and we are elated that she is joining our leadership team!
Three cheers for our newest Match Coordinator, Pallas Stallsmith! While receiving their bachelor’s degree in women’s and gender studies, Pallas volunteered with Planned Parenthood and interned at MUSC’s EMPOWERR youth and family program. Pallas previously worked as a summer camp and after-school counselor, substitute teacher, and baker. They are excited to start their career working for BBBSL, which shares their values. Pallas’ little sister, Lexi, is the most important person in their life. Pallas enjoys reading, biking, crafting, doing yoga, dancing, and playing Stardew Valley.
Overseeing match support for our BIG Beyond Scholar Program is Syeda Ody! Syeda is a proud alumna of USC, where she earned a BA in public relations and mass communications and served as a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Her career in youth development started as a summer church camp counselor before transitioning to advocacy in the non-profit sphere. Syeda is excited to take on the role of Match Coordinator for the BIG Beyond and help motivate youth to become the great leaders of the next generation.
In her spare time, Syeda enjoys lounging on the couch with her dog, cat, and soon-to-be husband, Xavier playing video games or watching anime or a Star Wars movie. She loves to paint, write, and enjoy anything artsy. Syeda is also a HUGE foodie who loves to experiment in the kitchen or try out a new restaurant in the area!
