BBBS Coaches Corner January 2015

COACHES CORNER

JANUARY—NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH

JOB READINESS PROGRAM KICKS OFF!

CAREER NAVIGATORS—SCOTT C.C.

ACTIVITY IDEA—DECORATE MUGS AND PLATES

BIGS’ NIGHT OUTBIGS’ NIGHT OUT——CLUBHOUSECLUBHOUSE

MATCH ANNIVERSARIES—JANUARY

PUTT-A-ROUND—10th ANNIVERSARY!

SOUTHERN MENTORING CENTER—MACOMB

RAVE: KATIE NELSON AND NICOLE

WHITESIDE COUNTY UPDATE

DEAR MATCH COACH: FINANCIAL NEEDS

SIGN UP FOR SNOWBIRD SOFTBALL!

GET TO KNOW: BETH CLARK

BUY TEESHIRTS FOR THE NEW YEAR!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR—JANUARY

V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 1 J A N U A R Y, 2 0 1 5

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE:

BE SOMEONE WHO MATTERS TO SOMEONE WHO MATTERS National Mentoring Month, held during the month of January for the past 14 years, provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor the importance of quality mentoring programs and the role that current mentors fill while also recruiting new supporters and volunteers. Throughout January, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, along with our Bigs and community partners, focuses on raising awareness regarding mentoring as a critical component to solutions addressing community challenges such as low graduation rates, juvenile crime, and workforce development. The mentoring effect strengthens communities. Young people participating in quality mentoring programs are more likely to do better in school and have aspirations for college and a career; they’re more equipped to make responsible decisions and model good behavior; and they’re more likely to be productive and engaged citizens - all key factors in building stronger communities. As a community, we can’t afford to leave mentoring to chance. Recent research by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership found that one in three young people across the country will grow up without a mentor. Be someone who matters to someone who matters. Being in a mentoring relationship with a young person provides a shared opportunity for learning and growth. In fact, many mentors say that they are surprised and grateful for the experience because it is more rewarding than they imagined. Mentors come from all walks of life and all sectors of our community- exposing their mentees to new ideas, new experiences, and new interests that get them involved in positive activities in their

hometowns. Statistics show that children who are mentored in a Big Brothers Big Sisters program are: 75% more likely to receive a four-year degree 72% more satisfied with their relationship with friends, family

and spouses 77% set higher goals for themselves 84% learn how to help others 52% are more likely to volunteer in their community or hold leadership roles in an organization HELP US SPREAD THE WORD THIS MONTH AND EVERY MONTH! We appreciate all the time that our volunteers give to their Littles, but also ask a big favor. Tell a

friend about your experiences as a Big Brother or Big Sister and encourage them to inquire and find out more about becoming a Big themselves. We have printed a thousand “Become a Big” business cards that you can give to co-workers, friends and family members. We will be giving you these cards over the next few months at Match Activities, special events, and fundraisers. If you’d like us to mail you the cards, let us know. Or, stop at the offices and pick some up. Because you have chosen to be a Big in our community, you are contributing to these positive youth outcomes. During National Mentoring Month, we say, wholeheartedly, THANK YOU! Without our dedicated and committed Big Brothers and Big Sisters, thousands of children would not have the positive role models that are so crucial in helping them become successful adults.

COACHES CORNER

JOB READINESS: SESSIONS BEGIN IN JANUARY! SIGN UP!


Job Readiness is open to all Littles who are in 8th grade - 12th grade. If your Little aspires to have a summer job, then this is the program for them! All participants will attend two workshops, Coaching Session and Interview Night along with a Job Shadow of their choice and a goal session. It may seem like a lot of work but it will be fun, interactive and helpful in getting your Little a summer job. If they complete the program with BBBS and are age-eligible, they will be eligible for a Youth Corps job! This summer job will provide a stipend and an additional educational award to be used in the future towards education.

RSVP for the Job Readiness workshops ASAP! Workshop 1: Jan. 31, 8:30-12:00 Scott Community College on Fairmount St., Davenport. Workshop 2: Feb. 14, 8:30-12:00 Scott Community College on Fairmount St., Davenport Resume Coaching Session: Feb. 25 at BBBS offices, 130 W. Main St., Davenport Interview Night: March 11 at BBBS office, 130 W. Main St., Davenport

To register for Job Readiness contact: Kim at [email protected] or call 563-323-8006.

NOTE: if your Little took the Job Readiness program last year, and has since turned 16, you are eligible for a Youth Corp job. Please contact Kim Aboyure at [email protected]. A 2-hour refresher seminar will be needed.

Presented by:

COACHES CORNER

Little’s First Name

Big’s First Name

Big’s Last Name

Years Matched

Little’s First Name

Big’s First Name

Big’s Last Name

Years Matched

MATCH ANNIVERSARIES IN JANUARY: CONGRATS!

Happy

Match

Anniversary


Larissa Alisha Welvaert 1

Elisa Stephanie Hasakis 1

Ryan Nick Tyger 1

Erskin Darren Clerkin 1

Isabella Lindsay Thul 1

Ashton Christopher Brooks 1

Madison Louise Johnson 1

Aevion Joseph Wonio 1

Yahzeonia Karen Ames 1

Dominick Derrick Anderson 1

Nacari Kristen Decker 2

Jennifer Maya Webb 2

Nyla Marion Zakrzewski 2

Sylvia Toni Gasper 2

Dominick Daniel Matthies 3

George Rob Pearson 3

Nathan Tom Cassidy 3

Colin Joe Witter 3

Courtney Kathy Doyle 3

Alexa Susan Wilson 3

Ronnie Marie Donaldson 3

Clever Sheila Guse 3

Hannah Sarah Hackbarth 4

Renee Julie Landwehr 4

Aiden Peter Hoft 4

Preston Blake Schaeffer 4

Trista Meghan Enright 4

Alex Kirk Denison 5

Brandon Rick Brammer 6

Krysta Monica Mesa 8

ACTIVITY IDEA: DECORATED PLATES AND MUGS! For a fun and easy craft with your Little, just grab some

cheap, ceramic plates or mugs from a discount store and some Sharpies and start drawing! Create fun and funky designs and then just pop them in a 350* oven for 30

minutes to set. You’ll love your new, personalized dish! Just remember that it is not dishwasher-safe!

Tuesday, January 13th; 5:30—7:30 pm THE CLUBHOUSE

2501 53rd Ave., Bettendorf, IA

Join us for a fun Bigs’ Night Out!

Appetizers will be

provided as well as fun competitions on the golf simulators.

Bring a friend!

RSVP from the evite

that will be emailed to you soon!

Presented by:

COACHES CORNER 10th Annual

PuttPutt--AA--RoundRound January 20—23, 2015

Great River Hall, RiverCenter, Davenport, IA

Free food

Live DJ!

Mingle at the Clubhouse!

Great raffles!

Cash Bar (Wed.—Fri.)

Presented by:

Take a chance at the Northwest Bank & Trust BIG PUTT and win $10,000!

563-323-8006

Register your team of 4 by January 9 and be entered into a raffle to win a FREE Lexus weekend for four in

Chicago! Two rooms, event tickets, dinner and the use of a Lexus all weekend!

The more teams you recruit to play at Putt-A-Round, the more times you will be entered!

Questions? Email Kayla at

kkiesey@bbbs-

Just Just $100 per $100 per team of team of

4!4!

24+

Min

i-Golf

Holes!

Largest

in th

e

Mid

west

!

Register on line at: Register on line at:

www.bbbsmv.orgwww.bbbsmv.org Have your team’s photo taken at the Active Endeavors photo op

booth!


Match Night Tues. January 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Contact your Match Coach to sign up!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE SOUTHERN MENTORING CENTER

COACHES CORNER

To inquire about becoming a Big in Macomb call Pete at

309-837-5437


Our Christmas party was on Sunday, December 7th, and we had a marvelous time! Balloons, face painting, fresh cookies, Santa, a real band (of WIU music professors), a uniformed police officer, gifts for every child. It could not have been any better! 30 WIU athletes did all of the work, and we very much appreciate their unwavering support of the BBBS program. Karissa Kouchis, WIU student and softball player, took photos for us. BIG thanks! Have a look:

Board member Lauren Suprenant dazzled with her balloon-twisting skills, the Lamoine Valley Brass Quintet serenaded us with beautiful Christmas music, and Charlene Kenney donated 50 stuffed animals as Christmas gifts for the for the Littles. AND we made exactly 100 “anonymous” Christmas cards for the nice people at Lafayette Square. BBBS is very proud of everyone who participated in our annual gift to the Macomb community! Many thanks to Woodforest National Bank for their extremely generous donation to fund our winter soiree! WE NEED TO SAY A HUGE THANK-YOU TO LYDIA SMITH, WIU STUDENT AND TRACK STAR, FOR FACILITATING AND COORDINATING EVERYTHING.

BBBS Macomb wishes you and yours the happiest of holidays, and only the best in 2015!

RAVE: MATCHED FOR 5 YEARS! Congratulations to Katie Nelson and Nicole!

After being matched since 2009,

they are graduating from the BBBS program,

with Nicole turning 18!

You’ve come a long way, Nicole,

and we know you and Katie will be forever friends!

COACHES CORNER

WHITESIDE COUNTY WISHES YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!


For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet our newest member of the team, please welcome Nicki! She has been serving with our office as an AmeriCorps member for the last two months and has been a tremendous help. Name: Nicki Spears AmeriCorps Position: Customer Relations Specialist Education and Background: I am currently entering my final semester at Sauk Valley Community College. I will be graduating in May 2015 with my Associates in Applied Science for Human Services/Social Work. My background is in Business, but I am transitioning into a career in Human Services. Where am I from?: I was born in Clinton, Iowa and have lived in the Sauk Valley Area since 1995. Why am I serving?: I am serving to help others, as it has always been my drive; as well as to gain experience in the Human Services field. What am I looking forward to this year?: I am look-ing forward to being a college graduate, and to all the experiences that I will be a part of with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Welcome to BBBS Nicki!

December 2015: Holiday Party

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Whiteside County had a great turnout at our holiday party of the year! A huge thank you to all of our volunteers that helped, as well as the Candlelight, Pizza Hut, the Flour Shop and Paone’s Blackhawk Lanes. Without all of these people and businesses we would not have had such a successful event!

Next Match Activity:

Our next match activity will take place in March or April of 2015. We are currently throwing around some ideas such as an indoor pool party at the YMCA, a movie night at the Sterling Movie Theatre, or a QC Mallards Hockey Game. More details to come!

Happy Holidays: Nicki and I thank all of our volunteers, parents, community members, and school liaisons for helping us through the transition of opening an office in Whiteside County! It has been a great experience! Have a happy and safe holiday.

Sincerely, Courtney Jones & Nicki Spears

A Shout Out to JC Penney! JC Penney of Sterling was kind enough to donate 10 gifts to Littles in the Big Brothers Big Program of

Whiteside County. In addition, they sponsored a family who really needed the extra support this Christmas. Thank you JC Penney’s for all that you do!

DEAR MATCH COACH: FAMILY FINANCIAL NEEDS My Little’s mom let me know about a financial need that they have. I would love to help them out, but I’m not sure if I should or not. What should I do? Dear Big, I understand that your heart is in the right place in wanting to help your Little’s family but it is not a good idea to get involved in their financial situation. If you open your wallet once you could open yourself up to future expenses. Remember that you do a lot for your Little’s family just by spending time with your Little.

If you let us know about the particular need, we may be able to help by referring them to a resource. Scott County Kids is a non-profit that works to help connect families to resources. Family Community Resource Center in Rock Island County and in Whiteside County both have similar programs to get families in touch with resources they need to make ends meet. Get in contact with your match coach to see what BBBS can do to help! Sincerely, Your Match Coach

COACHES CORNER

GET TO KNOW BBBS STAFF: BETH CLARKBETH CLARK Name: Beth Clark Position: Development & Marketing Director How long have you been working for BBBS? I began by serving on the Board of Directors in 2006, then accepted the Director of Development position in 2010. What are you most looking forward to about being at BBBS? I love to find new ways to raise funds and volunteers for BBBS. We just established a new “Connectors Committee” and I look forward to working with them to connect me with new business supporters. What do you like to do when you’re not working? I like spending time with my husband, Bruce (who is a Big Brother) and with our two sons and our black Lab, Lucy. Also like spending time with a great group of friends! What advice would you give a child who is in our program? A Big Brother or Big Sister can be a great friend to you. Be open to the things they want to do with you and the places they want to take you in our community. Listen to their guidance and work hard in school. A good education will take you places!

SIGN YOUR SNOW BIRD TEAM UP TODAY!

2015 39th Annual Get your team ready and

register for the 39th Annual Snow Bird Softball Classic!

Co-Ed Tournament, Fri.—Sun., January 23-25 (DEADLINE: Jan. 21)

Men’s Tournament, Fri.-Sun., February 6-8 (DEADLINE: Feb. 4)

TO REGISTER CALL: Dugout Sports Complex

563-391-4211

Presented by:


Bigs interested in playing on the BBBS Team contact Jaime! [email protected]

COACHES CORNER

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

28 29 30 31 1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8

9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21

22 23 24

COMMUNITY CALENDAR—JANUARY 2015

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY! JANUARYJANUARY

25 26 27 28

29 30 31

COACHES CORNER V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 1 J A N U A R Y, 2 0 1 5

10TH ANNUAL PUTT-A-ROUND! RIVERCENTER! MATCH NIGHT AT

PUTT-A-ROUND

Magician David Casas LIVE – January 3. The Establishment Theatre, 220 19th Street, Rock Island, IL. The Magic of David Casas LIVE! Starring Magician David Casas. This is an all ages family friendly show. Witness David's award winning bird act, clean comedy magic, and a lot of audience interaction! Special Guest Opening Act - World Class Juggler Brian Pankey! 563-726-1749 Home Depot- Do it Yourself Workshop – January 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come learn how to build a mini sled. FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin. Kids Workshop activities are scheduled on a first come/first served basis. Please do not arrive before 9:00 a.m. Thank you for registering online to help us better plan our craft kit quantities needed Teen Gaming Night- January 7, 14, 21, 28 at 5 p.m. Fairmont Library, Davenport, IA. Try out new games and gaming systems! We have PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Wii U for you to try, along with laptops for online gaming. Tabletop gamers are invited to come take part in Dungeons & Dragons or Yu-Gi-Oh card games.

Tween (age 10-12) Gaming Night- January 8, 15, 22, 29 at 5 p.m., Fairmont Library, Davenport, IA. Try out popular video games on our big screen! Tweens are invited to come snack on popcorn and play games on the Wii U or Xbox 360. Bald Eagle Days at the QC Expo Center – January 9-11. Celebrate the return of the bald eagle, now off the endangered list! Watch live birds of prey, bald eagles, owls and falcons fly over the audience. Enjoy more than 100 display and information booths. Cost is $5 dollars for adults and $1 for kids 6-16. Hours: Friday 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Role Playing Group – Sat., Jan. 10th, 1 p.m. FREE. Bettendorf Library at This group, comprised mostly of teens, plays games such as Dungeons & Dragons or BattleTech. Participants are invited to join a game already in progress, or bring your own group to join. Kid’s Craft Day – January 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The John Deere Pavilion, 1400 River Dr. in downtown Moline, Ill., hosts a free Kid’s Craft Day on the third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the website for the craft theme. www.johndeereattractions.com

Magician LIVE! Home Depot DYI

TEEN GAMING NIGHT

TEEN GAMING NIGHT

TEEN GAMING NIGHT

TEEN GAMING NIGHT

TWEEN GAMING NIGHT

TWEEN GAMING NIGHT

TWEEN GAMING NIGHT

TWEEN GAMING NIGHT

BALD EAGLE DAYS

BALD EAGLE DAYS

BALD EAGLE DAYS

ROLE PLAYING GROUP

KIDS CRAFT DAY BIGS’ NIGHT OUT AT CLUBHOUSE

Career Navigators Scott Comm. College

Job Readiness Workshop

Co-Ed Snowbird Softball



http://www.johndeereattractions.com

Documents

BBBS Coaches Corner January 2015