J Bar J's Big Brothers Big Sisters Guide

Ashton Eaton

Ignite Potential:

Become a Big Brother or Big Sister

NATIONAL

MENTORING MONTH Ashton Eaton is a hero, two time Olympic champion, and world record holder, who grew up in Central Oregon. In his younger years, key adults played a large role in his life, giving him a first-hand understanding of the power mentors have to ignite potential.

Asking nothing in return, Ashton agreed to become a spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. His goal is to encourage others to become mentors: to defend, ignite, and empower potential.

END THE WAIT

January 2021

BBBSCO Responds to Covid-19 For 26 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon has matched local youth with caring adult mentors.

But when our country shut down, we were unable to make matches, and we quickly realized we needed to pivot our focus from providing mentors to providing basic needs to our families who face barriers to getting needs met.

• 80% of our Littles come from low-income households, • 60% from single parent families • 30% of our Littles are People of Color who have been disproportionately affected by the economic, health and social impact of this pandemic.

With the support of our community, BBBSCO jumped into action. We distributed Visa, Safeway and Grocery Outlet gift cards to families of Littles, and delivered food boxes. Our reach went beyond basic needs, as we distributed laptops (donated by G5) to Littles, enabling them to do school work online, and for our graduating seniors to apply to secondary education and scholarship opportunities. We provided civil masks (donated by Blackstrap Industries), Lego sets (donated by Avion Water Company) and so much more to families who needed assistance, positively impacting hundreds of people.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is committed to providing the resources After surveying our families, we discovered that our families desperately need during that over this crisis and any crisis that may follow.

• 50% of the parents/guardians of our This pandemic has posed one of the greatLittles either lost their job, were laid off est threats to the potential of our youth or had a reduction in hours. and we are committed to taking up the • 40% of our families experienced food charge to defend it now more than ever! insecurity and • 45% needed help paying utilities.

Congratulations to Latinx Mentoring Program Little Sister, Andrea, who after receiving her laptop donated by G5, was able to apply for three scholarships. She now has $1,700 towards college tuition!

lCongratulations Becky Breeze,

Big of the Year

“I think every person, male or female, over the age of 18 should be mentoring somebody on some level…

The more we help each other the better society is, and you understand people better. You’ll enjoy it, you’ll get into it and think why didn’t I do this before?” ~ Becky Breeze

Schools are closed; kids are struggling.

Our Mission is More Important Than Ever!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon is committed to supporting youth in the midst of COVID-related restrictions.

More than ever, kids need strong relationships, someone to inspire hope and to nurture the strength of the individual as well as an entire community

A mentor has the ability to turn 2021 into a year of hope! When a child has a meaningful mentoring relationship, their life is changed forever.

THEIR FUTURE IS BRIGHT: IGNITE IT

Learn More!

During the month of January, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be holding informational Zoom meetings on how you can IGNITE POTENTIAL:

Mugs & Mentors: January 12th @ 8:30AM Lunch & Learn: January 20th @ 12:00PM Bigs & Brews: January 28th @ 5:30PM: Links to meetings are on our home page: www.bbbsco.org 541-312-6047 | Instagram: @bbbsco Facebook: @BigBrothersBigSistersOfCentralOregon

After being matched for

How Is Mentoring Possible during COVID Restrictions?

• Regular phone calls, text messages, Facebook Messenger, and FaceTime chats • Snail Mail • Outside winter activities—what better place than in Central Oregon • “Zoom” a talent or passion, such as, playing guitar, drawing, cooking, or working out together • Play board games virtually • Have a virtual movie night • Watch virtual concerts together • Have a virtual book club • Help a Little with virtual homework assignments

1 year,

youth involved in BBBSCO report

IMPROVEMENT in the following areas:

Improved Parental Trust

Decrease in Risky Behaviors

Increased Attendence in School

Increased Social Competencies

Academic Improvement

KIDS NEED MENTORS NOW

We Welcome These Recent Matches!

Theresa and Nevaeh’s match meeting was conducted via Zoom. COVID will not stop us from changing lives!

Ryan and Jaxon like to get outside, especially in leaves and snow. They’ve also shared time online doing coloring and art on the Caribu app.

These two look forward to cooking and baking. Sophia is excited to have a Big Sister because her cerebral palsy makes it difficult for her to make friends.

Cindy and Tuesday are matched through our Bigs in Blue Program. Cindy is a Bend Police Officer, and these two hope to do some martial arts and a 5K race together.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Big Brothers Big Sisters relies on the support of donors and sponsors who are

DEFENDERS OF POTENTIAL

We Are