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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7
J U L Y, 2017
100 DAYS/100 BIGS KICKS OFF! 200+ CHILDREN WAITING IT’S HERE!! Our 4th annual 100 Days/100 Bigs volunteer recruitment campaign has officially begun! In the 100 days between June 21 and September 29, we are hoping to enroll 100 NEW volunteer mentors to be matched with one of the over 200 youth on our waiting list. Through a generous partnership with Townsquare Media, KWQC, Quad City Times, and Ascentra Credit Union Foundation, this community awareness campaign will be supported by ongoing media promotion featuring some of our active and past matches and other community stakeholders. In addition, BBBSMV will be present at many community events taking place over the summer, including John Deere Wellness night at the River Bandits on July 8, and the Hy-Vee Pinky Swear Family Fun Run/Walk on July 16. Want to know how you can help with this initiative? Try any (or all!) of these:
upcoming community events, as we will continue adding opportunities throughout the summer, and volunteer to represent BBBS with your Little. Work with BBBS to coordinate a presentation at your place of employment, or with other groups you are connected with. Connecting BBBS staff with others you know is a great way for interested people to learn more about BBBS programs and how to become a mentor! Watch your social media sites for posts that mention 100 Days/100 Bigs and share, share, share! The more people who see and hear about the need for mentors and the wonderful relationships our Bigs and Littles develop, the better!
Talk to your friends and family about volunteer to become a Big. With BBBS’ RecruitOne campaign, you can earn a $20 gift certificate for BBBS gear for your Little when someone you refer enrolls to become a Big, and this new Big will also count for our 100 Days/100 Bigs campaign. Double Score! If you aren’t sure what the RecruitOne initiative is, ask your Program Specialist about the details. If you know of a community event that would be a good place for BBBSMV to spread awareness and talk to potential volunteers, tell us about it! Watch your email and social media for information about
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
100 DAYS/100 BIGS KICKS OFF! JOB READINESS—INTERVIEW WORKSHOP CAREER CRUISING BIG/LITTLE TRAINING CAREER NAVIGATOR TOURS FOR JULY HIGH SCHOOL “LITTLE” GRADUATES RAVE ABOUT YOUR LITTLE: SHERMIYA DEAR MATCH COACH: HEADED TO MIDDLE SCHOOL JULY CRAFT ACTIVITIES
M.A.P.S. ACTIVITIES FOR JULY NEW SNOW STAR PARTNERSHIP BIRDIES FOR CHARITY CELEBRATE MATCH ANNIVERSARIES—JULY WHITESIDE COUNTY UPATE—JULY McDONOUGH COUNTY UPDATE—JULY SAVE THE DATES—PICNIC AND BIG IMPACT EVENT GOLF OUTING—THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMUNITY CALENDAR—JULY
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Job Readiness
If you have been matched for less than 6 months, this training is for you! Tuesday, July 18, 5:30-7 PM BBBS Office, 130 W. 5th St. Davenport Explore career options, college resources and opportunities in the QC. Make a personalized plan based on your Little’s interests, experiences and unique learning style. Contact your Match Coach for an individualized session.
We would like to invite you and your Little to our Big and Little Training. We will learn more about the mentoring process, the resources that are available through BBBS, and will have some fun activities. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP to Katie: kzick@bbbs-mv.org or Lindsay: lmercer@bbbs-mv.org
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JULY 2017
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES!
The staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters is proud to recognize ten Littles who graduated high school this year. All of these students have been a joy to have in the program, and we are confident that they will work hard and be successful wherever they go. A big THANKS to the Bigs who supported these students and stood by them through the high school years. When you choose to be a Big, you commit to making a difference in the life of a child! Thank you! Olivia and Connie (Big), David and Joel (Big), Anthony and Brad (Big), Isaiah and Robert (Big), Alex and John (Big), Brandin and Jim & Polly (Bigs), Johnathon and John (Big), Brandon and Rick (Big), Brianna and Janet (Big), Krysta and Monica (Big),
West High School, Matched 13 years Pleasant Valley High School, Matched 7 years North High School, Matched 6.5 years North High School, Matched 3.5 years Central High School, Matched 5 years North Scott High School, Matched 5 years West High School, Matched 6 years Bettendorf High School, Matched 8 years Macomb High School, Matched 9 years West High School, Matched 10 years
RAVE ABOUT YOUR LITTLE: SHERMIYA I'm so excited to RAVE about my Little! She was so excited when she and her friends auditioned and were selected for their end of the year talent show. She told me how nervous she was before the audition, and that she couldn't believe they were selected. I could see this event helping her to gain more confidence in her talents and abilities. (She's in the middle, and absolutely crushed it). Academically, her math skills are improving each week! She was so excited to show me her report card this weekend. Rock Island Schools use a 1-5 scale, and I was so proud to see almost all 4's and 5's. She was excited too. We had a discussion about carrying the momentum from the end of the school year through the summer and into her fall classes. She received two special awards at the end of the year, Best Choreographer and No Referrals. When asked how many other students received zero referrals throughout the year she told me very few. I was super proud! This summer, besides continuing to add "hidden" math challenges into our activities, she has asked to participant in every local library's Summer Reading Program. As a children's librarian, I am beyond thrilled!
SEND YOUR RAVES TO YOUR MATCH COACH FOR AUGUST!
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DEAR MATCH COACH: LITTLE HEADED TO MIDDLE SCHOOL Dear Match Coach: My Little is going into middle school and I don’t know how to help. I want to make the transition easier for both them and myself. What should I do?
totally off the hook! As their Big, you are an important role model in their lives, and you are someone they expect to be there for them whether they directly express it or not. Because the truth is, they’re as freaked out as you are.
Ah, middle school. It’s that time where kids act like they go from eleven to twenty-one overnight. Suddenly, they know everything under the sun, and adults become imbeciles who know absolutely nothing. Drama comes to the forefront of their everyday lives. It can be a struggle to offer guidance when you’re constantly being met with a hand or a slammed door.
Over the next several months, Dear Match Coach will focus on how you as a Big can help your Little make this important transition from Elementary to Middle School.
Fortunately for you, being a Big and helping your Little navigate through these ‘torturous’ pre-teen years is going to be different from what their parents are going through; however, you’re not
JULY CRAFT ACTIVITIES Star-spangled Slime: Supplies:
Liquid starch 2 clear school glue Star confetti
Directions: Pour both bottles of glue into the bottom of a large bowl. Slowly add the liquid starch, a tiny bit at a time. Stir for a while after each bit that you add (use about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of liquid starch). Keep adding it, a little bit until
the mixture begins to stick together and congregate in the center of the bowl. Continue to stir and starch until bits of the goop no longer stick to your fingers when touched. Add the star confetti as you knead for a few minutes to smooth consistency. * You can store in an airtight container for a couple of weeks.
4th of July Wind Streamers Supplies:
Directions:
Toilet paper tube Crepe paper streamers (red and white) Paint brushes Glue Blue and white acrylic paint
Using the blue paint, coat the outside of the toilet paper tube and let dry. Next, paint little white stars over the blue tube. Cut pieces of streamers about 12 ins long. Need 3 red and 3 white. Put a little line of glue on top edge of red streamer and stick to the inside edge of the tube. Do the same with the other red and white streamers. Let dry for about 10 min. With scissors cut the strips up the center, lengthwise, until you get to the edge of the tube (should look like 12 thinner pieces).
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M.A.P.S. JULY ACTIVITIES—SUMMER FUN! Camp Shalom l Saturday, July 8 l 8:30 am—7:00 pm Don’t miss this fun-filled day with us at Camp Shalom in Maquoketa! There will be a little bit of everything for your match to see and do! Try archery, ropes courses, field games, GaGa ball, hiking, crafts, and much more! Lunch and dinner will be served. Due to the nature of the activities, some are restricted by age and will require a signed waiver for both you and your Little. Transportation will be provided to and from camp. Meet at the BBBS office at 8:30 am.
BBBS Sports Camp l 5:00—7:00 pm Littles entering 1st through 6th grade are invited to participate in this free clinic where they will be introduced to a variety of sports, as well as learn fundamental skills and join in a fun scrimmage. Wednesday, July 12: Volleyball @ Junge Park l 301 W 35th St., Davenport Wednesday, July 26: Softball @ Eisenhower Elementary l 2827 Jersey Ridge Rd., Davenport
Henry/Mercer County Picnic Saturday, July 15 | 12:00-2:30pm | Richmond Hill Park, Shelter #6 | 600 HK Robinson Dr, Geneseo, IL
Henry and Mercer County BBBS matches are invited to a potluck gathering at Richmond Hill Park in Geneseo. Join us for a fun afternoon meeting other matches in your area and enjoy a variety of games and activities. Contact Holly at hanthony@bbbs-mv.org for more information and to rsvp.
Messy Science l Sunday, July 16 l 2:00-4:00 pm Location: TBD Discover how much fun (and messy) science can be at this hands-on activity for matches. Littles will learn about different reactions through a variety of fun, outdoor experiments.
Cooking Class Wednesday, July 19 l 6:00-7:30 pm l Hy-Vee 750 42nd Avenue Drive, Moline
Work together to prepare a meal from scratch in the Hy-Vee kitchen. Enjoy following along with a professional chef as you prep the kitchen, learn about nutrition and different food choices, and put together a masterpiece meal! Cost: $5 per match Space is limited!
RSVP at least 2 days prior to event to news@bbbs-mv.org
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SNOW STAR / BBBS PARTNERSHIP SnowStar Winter Sports Park is offering matches a great deal for the winter months! Littles will now receive a FREE admission along with their paid Big. Simply show your BBBS id card to participate. We’ll be kicking off this partnership with a special Winter Blast at Snow Star. Be on the lookout for those details in a few months!
2017 Birdies for Charity Underway! Make your donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters count for more by giving through the Birdies for Charity program. Go to www.bbbsmv.org and click on the Donate tab, then the Birdies for Charity link to download the form and obtain the BBBS Birdies number. DEADLINE: July 14.
www.bbbsmv.org
CELEBRATE JULY MATCH ANNIVERSARIES! 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
Marissa
Susan
Denecke
6
Lilith (Lilly)
Veronica
Myers
2
Cierra
Chelsey
McKee
6
Kobe
Josh
Paul
5
Malikai Kahleeyah
John Baley
Pavelka Schubert
2 2
Brooklynn
Staci
Dirks
5
Silas
Bryan
Dietsch
4
Joe'Niah Genesis
Sharon Natasha
Meister Shallenberger
2 2
Virginia Skyler
Sherry John
Staub Lindberg
3 3
Miracle
Diamond
Williams
1
Madison
Elizabeth "Beth" Schebler
3
Courtney
DeSiree
2
Adam Lilian Alyssa
Rodney Karly Chandler
Smith Evans Horrell
1 1 1
Dye
Please RSVP for M.A.P.S. activities at least to these 3Thanks days inBigsadvance to Jaime who have each recruiting at least jkeller@bbbs-mv.org or call 563-323-8006 one volunteer in the last few months!
Cara Comerford Karen Dahlstrom Miranda Dresing Doug Fiester Brenda Heisch Emily Lane
Ted Leuck Holly Loussaert LaMeika Mack Kendra Mulcahy Megan Schoff Jake Schumann
Eric Spriet Taylor Streitmatter Cathleen Vegter Seth Weiland Ashley Yattoni Stephanie Youngmark
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WHITESIDE COUNTY: JULY Bigs in Blue We are excited to announce that we enrolled 2 more Bigs in Blue matches.
Big Brother Tim and Little Brother Bryson
Big Brother Lonnie and Little Brother Brodee
Welcome Rachel!
May Match Activity We enjoyed a fun and educational tour of Heritage Canyon- a recreated 1800’s village built in an abandoned limestone quarry.
July Match Activities July 13th - Available to the first 5 matches- Tour of Granny Rose Animal Shelter July 16th - LumberKings Game July 17th - Gym and Swim at the YWCA
Please help us welcome Rachel to our BBBS family. Rachel is our new Summer AmeriCorps Member and will be with us until the end of August. Rachel is from Dixon and recently graduated from NIU with a BS in Health Sciences. Rachel will be continuing her education in the fall at Midwestern University. Rachel has previous experience working with children and even was a volunteer at the BBBS office in Dekalb!
Check your email or the BBBS of Whiteside County Bigs/ Parents Facebook page for more details! Email Danielle at dvance@bbbs-mv.org to reserve your spot!
Coming soon to Whiteside County!
The BBBS M.A.P.S. program for elementary school aged Littles!
Literacy ● Community Service ● Health & Wellness ● Financial Literacy ● S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math)
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7
COACHES CORNER JULY,2017
2016-2017 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR THE MACOMB OFFICE!
Another school year is in the books, and the Southern Mentoring Center did great things! We served 96 children, made 37 new matches, opened our Bigs in Blue program, had many excellent match activities, saw our longest ever match come to a close because Little Sister Brianna graduated from high school, and were supported at every turn by the wonderful communities we serve. Heartfelt thanks to all Littles, Bigs, Board members, parents, school personnel, sponsors, and donors for helping us through another hugely successful year of serving local children! New Matches! At the very end of May we made our final matches of the 2016-17 school year, and we’re very excited to introduce them! Big Sister Audrey is a spectacular person, from a family with a long history of helping kids in our area; Little Sister Abbie has been with us a few years and is a great kid. Big Brother Jose is super friendly and a great role model; Little Brother Noah is only 11 and already wants to join the Peace Corps! (Parenting goals, for sure.) To both these wonderful new matches we say CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Abbie and Audrey
Noah and Jose
Kugler Family Chicago Scholarship We have something really special to announce this month. In winter 2016 we were approached by Big Brother Jesse Kugler, who told us his family wanted to create a scholarship for kids in the program. This scholarship would cover all expenses for 3 or 4 matches, every year, to travel to Chicago and visit a museum and the aquarium. The "Big" idea was to expose kids to the knowledge and culture museums present, and hopefully inspire those kids to follow their dreams. The Bigs would apply on behalf of their Little, and the criteria would be: Little must complete some community service, Little must work hard in school, Little must have a need for this type of experience. 2017's winners were Little Brothers Seth and Dion, and Little Sisters Jabri and Genesis. Thanks to their respective Bigs for writing essays on their behalf! BIG thanks to the Kugler family for being so generous, and for their commitment to enriching the lives of BBBS kids!
A Great Way to Say Goodbye So many great things happened throughout our office this school year, but none of it would have been possible without Big Sister and AmeriCorps VISTA member Chandler Horrell. The Illinois Governor’s Office also took notice of all the wonderful things Chandler has done in her year with us, and named her Volunteer of the Week 12-18 (for the entire state of Illinois!), June 2017. You can see the release by the Governor’s Office by going to the BBBS Facebook page. To send Chandler off the right way, here are some excerpts from the letter of support we wrote to the Governor’s Office on her behalf:
In the Americorps/VISTA position, Chandler recruited, enrolled matches, and supported the [currently] 70 adult-child matches we maintain, and was involved in administrative tasks like fundraising and donor relations. Chandler spoke at recruitment events, identified potential volunteers and children, conducted interviews of those potential participants, conducted reference calls and background checks (for the volunteers), wrote assessments, matched volunteers with appropriate children, and then maintained those matches through regular support contacts. When not recruiting, enrolling, matching, and supporting Chandler worked with BBBS to identify and liaise with potential donors and sponsors. This BBBS office is 100% community-supported, so donors and sponsors are vital to the strength of the program. Also of note is that Macomb is a small town, so the reputation and professionalism of those working with donors and sponsors is essential. We do hold 3 annual fundraising events, all of which draw hundreds of people, so Chandler has had the experience of large-scale event planning and execution. In all of these different roles Chandler has been an outstanding asset and sterling representative of the BBBS program. Chandler has been a Big Sister in our program since July 2016, volunteering first as a School-based mentor, then transitioning to a Community-based mentor, to a now 8 year-old girl. All reports from Chandler, the mentee, and the mentee’s parent have been extremely positive. She is a concerned member of our community, giving of herself to help a child in need. Up to the date of this letter, she has reliably fulfilled her commitment of weekly meetings, and has exceeded that expectation by participating in every agency-wide extra weekend/holiday activity (facilitated by the organization) since she was matched.
To become a “Big” in McDonough Co. contact Pete at 309-837-5437 or go to www.bbbsmv.org/
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SAVE THE DATES FOR PICNIC AND BIG IMPACT! Annual Picnic Saturday, Sept. 30
Big Impact Event Tuesday, Oct. 17
Veteran’s Memorial Park, Bettendorf, IA 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Stoney Creek Inn 101 18th St., Moline, IL 5:30—8:00 p.m.
FREE to all active Bigs, Littles and up to 4 family members.
Dinner and Big Impact Awards $30 for active Bigs (Littles free)
BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PLAYERS AT GOLF OUTING! Presented by:
Thank you to all supporting sponsors!
Of the Mississippi Valley 130 W. 5th Street, Davenport, IA
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR – JULY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
Bee Houses
4 Bettendorf July 4
5
Celebration
Red, White & Boom
9
Magic Workshop Sunday in the Park
16
10
MESSY SCIENCE
23
24
6
7
8
Pirate Party
11
12
VOLLEYBALL
COMPASS COOKING CLASS
FIRST AID FOR LITTLES
17
Eat The Streets
18
19 Butterfly Fun
Rock Island Co. Fair
Rock Island Co. Fair
BIG LITTLE TRAINING
COOKING CLASS
25 CAREER NAVIGATORS
26
CAMP SHALOM
13
14
S.T.E.M. Spaghetti Challenge
20
HENRY/ MERCER COUNTY PICNIC
21
Rock Island Co. Fair
22
Rock Island Co. Fair S.T.E.M. Paper Plate
27 SOFTBALL
15 Night Sky Viewing
28
Street Fest
Rock Island Co. Fair Learn & Play at JD Pavilion
29
Street Fest
JOB READINESS
OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY! JULY
Bee Houses: July 3 at 1:00pm at Davenport Public Library Fairmount Branch (3000 Fairmount St). Use recycled materials to help pollinators. Grade school children will be turning tin cans into nests in which Mason bees can lay their eggs. This event is free! www.davenportlibrary.com. Red, White, & Boom!: July 3 from 6:00pm-10:00pm. Rock Island and Davenport's annual July 4th celebration of our country's independence. The bi-state fireworks show will launch from the river with primary viewing areas and family activities located in Rock Island and Davenport on the riverfront. Enjoy live music on both sides of the river in Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. Visit www.ridistrict.com/events. Bettendorf 4th of July Celebration: July 4 from 10:00am-10:00pm in Bettendorf. The celebration kicks off with a parade in downtown Bettendorf at 10:00am at the intersection of 23rd Street and State Street. The celebration continues at Cumberland Square (2300 Spruce Hills Dr) at 12:00pm for amusement rides, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, live music, food, and much more! Fireworks will begin at dusk and will be shot off at Middle Park (2220 23rd St). Call 563-344-4000 for more information. Eat the Streets: July 5 from 6:00pm-9:00pm under the Skybridge in downtown Davenport (River Drive & Main St). Come get your fill of cool cars and serious eats sponsored by QC Independent Food Truck Alliance and QCrpm. Visit www.facebook.com/quadcityrpm for more information. Themed Parks-Pirate Party: July 5 from 10:30am-11:30am at Ben Butterworth Parkway (3000 River Drive, Moline). Join us for four different weeks at four different parks for a fun and new children’s program! Participants will enjoy story time and a fun activity or craft during each program, relating to that day’s theme. This program is FREE but registration is required. Call 309-524-2424 or at www.molineparks.com to RSVP. Sunday in the Park—90th Anniversary Celebration: July 9 from 1:00pm4:00pm at Black Hawk State Historic Site near the Watch Tower Lodge (1510 46th Ave, Rock Island). From 1-3 enjoy field trips, tours, projects for children from the Twelve Moons book, building an eagle’s nest, make and take crafts by Chuck Wester, and other activities. From 3-4 enjoy refreshments and music by Joe Nobling and Friends. Call 309-788-9536.
Kids Magic Workshop: July 9 at 2:00pm at the German American Heritage Center (712 W. 2nd St, Davenport). Bring your kids to learn magic from the amazing magician David Casas. This is a free event, but space is limited. RSVP required. Call 563-322-8844 or email info@gahc.org to RSVP. Night Sky Viewing with the Popular Astronomy Club: July 15 from 8:3011:00pm at the Niabi Zoo (13010 Niabi Zoo Rd, Coal Valley). Please join the Popular Astronomy Club for a tour of the Summer night sky. Telescopes will be available to look through or bring your own. For weather related updates please call 309-797-3120. Rock Island County Fair: July 18-22 at Rock Island County Fairgrounds (4200 Archer Drive, East Moline). Don’t miss all the fun and activities including grandstand events, carnival rides and games, 4-H displays, talent shows, and food vendors. Visit www.rockislandfair.org . Themed Parks-Butterfly Fun!: July 19 from 10:30am-11:30am at Ben Butterworth Parkway (3000 River Drive, Moline). Join us for four different weeks at four different parks for a fun and new children’s program! Participants will enjoy story time and a fun activity or craft during each program, relating to that day’s theme. This program is FREE but registration is required. Call 309-524-2424 or at www.molineparks.com to RSVP. John Deere Pavilion Learn and Play Day: July 22 from 10:00am-4:00pm at John Deere Pavilion (1400 River Dr, Moline). At this free event, children will learn about life on a farm, see what it’s like to work on a construction site, explore the world of forestry and more. Activities include Miller’s Petting Zoo, kids can test their driving skills in a battery-powered Gator™ obstacle course, or put their muscles to work in a pedal-powered tractor pull. Other special exhibits include a construction zone to test toy equipment in sand. Visit www.visitjohndeere.com for more information. Street Fest: July 28 and 29 from 9:00am-midnight in Downtown Davenport (2nd Street between Brady and Ripley). Join us for food, live music, arts and crafts, a family fun area, and lots of festival fun! Activities include TONS of festival food & drinks, live music, firefighters water fights, arts & crafts vendors, family fun area, and Video Games Etc. tournaments. Visit www.downtowndavenport.com for more information.