A message from Big Brothers Big Sisters regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
A note to our volunteers, parents and guardians
March 12, 2020
Along with each of you, we continue to learn and adapt to the fast-paced information about the spread of the coronavirus. All of us share the same commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our Bigs, Littles, families, and staff. When it comes to your important role in your child or Little’s life, here’s what we ask you to keep in mind:
Our young people need us. Especially in times of uncertainty, we all experience heightened stress. This can be especially true for young people, who have less control over life circumstances than us adults and are more prone to hear (and believe) misleading information from peers.
Regular check-ins and contact are very important. Bigs may have less in-person contact with Littles over the next few weeks or months, but we can provide love, listening, support and guidance in other ways. Memes, texts, jokes, music videos, games, stories – this is the time for increased check-ins and for us to get creative in how we use phones and technology to connect with our Littles.
Talk about the Coronavirus with your Littles/children. What are their concerns & questions? What needs do they have? How is their stress level? Give them a caring listening ear and some time and attention --- this is a great way to lend support. Validate feelings. Explore self-care habits and personal hygiene education. Follow the advice of the CDC regarding preventive care: CDC Coronavirus prevention guidelines
Please let your Match Support Specialist know any concerns or needs you or the family may have (food, childcare, etc.). We will help connect you with resources. We’re happy to help brainstorm creative ideas for virtual outings (push-up contest? Brain games? Art challenges?) We are here for you!
Use your best judgment regarding in-person visits with your match. Has anyone in either home had illness symptoms? Are there particularly vulnerable family members (infants, elderly, immune-compromised)? Talk openly and honestly with each other to decide what is safest and healthiest for everyone involved.
Our annual Big & Little Bowl is cancelled with a hope for rescheduling – we’ll see how this public health situation evolves and make a decision in the coming weeks. For those of you already raising dollars – keep it going! We’ll find new fun ways to reward and celebrate your efforts! Details to come.
We urgently need your support for our 2020 For Kids’ Sake campaign. We strongly encourage each volunteer to establish a fundraising goal of at least $120. These aren’t dollars from your own pocket; this is you sharing your story as a volunteer or parent and asking your community to help. We need everyone to help us raise the dollars to sustain our matches and match our waitlist children. If you haven’t started fundraising, go to www.BowlForKidsSake.com or talk to your Match Support Specialist. These dollars are critical to our children and our program -- now more than ever!
We know you likely have other questions and ideas – pleas share them with us! We’ll continue to communicate as this situation unfolds. THANK YOU for being part of our Big Brothers Big Sisters family, and supporting our wonderful youth during the tough times and the great times. We will get through this together!
With gratitude,
Sarah Ballard
Chief Program Officer
Sarah.ballard@bbbsky.org
Look what you’ve started
Thank you to WHAS Crusade for Children for approving a grant for $5,000 to serve children with special needs!!
A BIG thank you to Louisville Metro Government for the four amazing grants grants totaling $31,500! Louisville Metro Government will be supporting youth in West Louisville, The Newburg area, youth 13 and older and our workplace mentoring program - School To Work! Every day we work to defend the potential or youth in our community and we could not do it without you!
A BIG thank you to Kosair Charities for awarding a $10,000 grant for our Legacy Program where mentors ages 55+ provide support
and friendship to children and youth.
and friendship to children and youth.
Ours thanks to Old National Bank Foundation for a $6,000 grant to support our School to Work program!
A BIG thank you to WellCare for awarding our agency $15,000 to support our Bigs in Blue program. This program allows us to build life long friendships between men and women in uniform (police officers, fire fighters ect.) and the communities that they serve.
|
|
|