Theme of the Month: "Communication is Key" Big Brother Richard and Little Brother Ramsey have been matched since July of 2019. Since the stay-at-home situation began, they have been keeping in touch via text messaging, phone calls, and What'sApp video calls. While they miss their in-person outings - among other activities, they've been ice skating, bowling, visiting Richard's sister's vet clinic (twice!), out for ice cream, viewing holiday lights, and going to various festivals - technology has allowed them to connect in new ways. They've had a video push-up challenge, exchanged neat bike pics, have had Bey Blade demonstrations, shared pics of each other's back yards, and have sent each other challenge questions (e.g. what is the tallest mountain in the world and how high is it and what's one weird thing about it?). With practicing social distancing, they managed to get together after all - they played "Follow the Leader" at Ramsey's house on a bright beautiful Saturday. Ramsey rode his bicycle and Richard followed behind from a sage distance on his motorcycle, each one practicing riding skills at slower speeds! Ramsey says his favorite activity has been visiting Village Vets and seeing a real animal hospital! As the weeks go on and conditions improve, they are looking forward to doing more in- person outings as they approach their one-year match anniversary! We have been under the stay-at-home order for over a month! During this time we hope you and your families are safe and you have continued to maintain communication with your Littles! It is crucial during this time to stay connected and provide support where you can for your mentee. Please click HERE to learn more about building developmental relationships during this time with your Little. *In order to maintain the safety and health of you and your little, all outings have been suspended until further notice* Meet Marvin! Marvin was born and raised in Richmond, VA and has been a resident of Georgia for 21 years now. He was a previous Match Support Specialist with BBBSMA from 2007-2017, and came back in 2019. He has worked in the Architecture/Engineering industry for over 10 years, but his true passion is Human Services. Marvin loves the family-dynamic that BBBSMA offers, and the fact that he gets to be a problem-solver when his matches hit a rough patch. He is the oldest of 1 biological brother and 4 adopted siblings. In his free time, Marvin enjoys all things interior design, sneakers, and spending quality time with friends and family. A fun fact about Marvin is that this period of quarantine has sparked an interest in a once-hated chore…cooking! MAY 2020 “I will be seeing you soon and things will get better." - Unknown GET TO KNOW US! Match Support Specialist, Marvin Broaddus Match Highlight of the Month
Transcript
Theme of the Month:
"Communication is Key"
Big Brother Richard and Little Brother Ramsey have been matched sinceJuly of 2019. Since the stay-at-home situation began, they have beenkeeping in touch via text messaging, phone calls, and What'sApp videocalls. While they miss their in-person outings - among other activities,they've been ice skating, bowling, visiting Richard's sister's vet clinic(twice!), out for ice cream, viewing holiday lights, and going to variousfestivals - technology has allowed them to connect in new ways. They'vehad a video push-up challenge, exchanged neat bike pics, have had BeyBlade demonstrations, shared pics of each other's back yards, and havesent each other challenge questions (e.g. what is the tallest mountain in theworld and how high is it and what's one weird thing about it?). Withpracticing social distancing, they managed to get together after all - theyplayed "Follow the Leader" at Ramsey's house on a bright beautifulSaturday. Ramsey rode his bicycle and Richard followed behind from a sagedistance on his motorcycle, each one practicing riding skills at slowerspeeds! Ramsey says his favorite activity has been visiting Village Vets andseeing a real animal hospital! As the weeks go on and conditions improve,they are looking forward to doing more in- person outings as theyapproach their one-year match anniversary!
We have been under the stay-at-homeorder for over a month! During thistime we hope you and your familiesare safe and you have continued tomaintain communication with yourLittles! It is crucial during this time tostay connected and provide supportwhere you can for your mentee.
Please click HERE to learn more aboutbuilding developmental relationshipsduring this time with your Little.
*In order to maintain the safety andhealth of you and your little, all outings
have been suspended until furthernotice*
Meet Marvin! Marvin was born and raised in Richmond, VA and has been aresident of Georgia for 21 years now. He was a previous Match SupportSpecialist with BBBSMA from 2007-2017, and came back in 2019. He has workedin the Architecture/Engineering industry for over 10 years, but his true passionis Human Services. Marvin loves the family-dynamic that BBBSMA offers, andthe fact that he gets to be a problem-solver when his matches hit a rough patch.He is the oldest of 1 biological brother and 4 adopted siblings. In his free time,Marvin enjoys all things interior design, sneakers, and spending quality timewith friends and family. A fun fact about Marvin is that this period ofquarantine has sparked an interest in a once-hated chore…cooking!
Maintaining consistent communication with your coach is vital to the successof your relationship with your little! Please inform us of any challenges that youare experiencing so we can work through them together and find a healthyresolution. In addition, please make sure to schedule your appointmentsthrough the acuity link that your match support specialist sends. It only takes 5minutes to do and very convenient to use. A lack of communication may lead tomatch closure and we do not want this to happen!
Every year, there is a survey called Strength of Relationship that is generated byour system for you to complete. This survey help us better understand how yourmatch is progressing. It is very short and only takes 1-2 minutes to complete.They are usually sent to your email 45 days before they are due. Please checkyour email for the link and complete the survey in a timely manner as they arevital to the work we do with you and your match.
Communication with your Match Support Specialist
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Survey Completion
3 Program Completion and Graduation Celebration
Graduation is right around the corner! If your little is a high school senior andgraduating this year, then you and your little automatically graduate from ourprogram as well. We would like to request your attendance at the Big BrothersBig Sisters Virtual Graduation Celebration on June 6 at 12pm. This is tocelebrate all of our Bigs, Littles and families of the senior class for successfullycompleting our program and building lifetime relationships! Please be on thelookout for an email from Susan Stubbs, match graduation coordinator, that willinclude how to RSVP and get access to this virtual event. See you there!
IDEAS FOR CONNECTING WITH YOUR LITTLE VIRTUALLY
2. FREE ART & CRAFT TUTORIAL!
DO A VIRTUAL ZOO TOUR!1.
3. CREATE A STORYBOOK TOGETHER!
4. SUPPORT YOUR LITTLE WITH THEIR SCHOOL WORK!
5. CHAT AND PLAY GAMES WITH LITTLE!Check out the new communication/game app, House Party!: https://houseparty.com/ Here are some other free games you two can play:-Words with friends-Uno, Monopoly & Connect Four- For more games, click HERE
Are you and your little interested in seeing some wild animals? Check out this site whereyou can go on a virtual tour of the Cincinnati Zoo. Follow this link to start your adventure:http://cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources/
Interested in doing virtual arts and crafts? Free sessions are offered daily at 1:00pm.Follow the link to get creative: https://www.facebook.com/McHarperManor/
Work with your Little to build a story filled with your own characters, pictures, anddrawings! Follow this link to start your story today: https://www.mystorybook.com/
Kids are out of school and work is now being provided online. Doing school online can be achallenge. Support your little by sending motivational messages and checking in withthem to see if they need extra support with their work.
Community Food Bank COVID-19 Response has a“Text for Help'' SMS platform to assist those who needaccess to food during the current crisis of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Text “FINDFOOD” for responses inEnglish or “COMIDA” for responses in Spanish to 888-976-2232 to get locations near you
Do you have a birthday this month? Would you like to “Raisefor A Purpose”? Well, we have the perfect challenge for you!
This year, BBBSATL would like you to join the fun and Raise ForA Purpose by hosting a Facebook birthday fundraiser. Gather
your Facebook friends & family and encourage them to donateto BBBSATL for your birthday! This is a great opportunity to
share the amazing friendship between you and your little whilesimultaneously celebrating the power of mentorship! The Bigthat raises the most funds at the end of the month will win a
grand prize for you and your Little! How cool is that?
If you’re interested in joining May’s challenge, click the link tofill out the form. Any questions?
Contact Bree Davis, Individual Giving Manager, at (404)601-7115.
