BBBS of Bartholomew County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County, Inc., A Program of Foundation For Youth Honored with 2021 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Quality Award

The agency is recognized for outstanding team leadership in providing

1-to-1 mentoring programming for local youth.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County, Inc. is proud to be recognized as a 2021

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Quality Award Winner. Every year, the BBBSA Nationwide Leadership Council, made up of local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency leaders and board members, select agencies for excellence in the 1-to-1 mentoring program, which ignites the power and promise of youth.

Big Sisters agencies across the country received top honors in quality.

“I am so proud of our board and staff for making quality programming a priority for our local children,” said Kelly Backmeyer, Program Director Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County. “Their hard work equates to more mentorship in Bartholomew County and a brighter future for area youth.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters was founded more than 100 years ago as an organization focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. It grew out of a need to offer an alternative path for youth facing the juvenile justice system. The program is based on in-person connections, but social distancing due to the pandemic prompted agencies to find innovative ways for volunteer mentors (‘Bigs’) to stay connected with their mentees (called ‘Littles’). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County were lucky enough to reunite the majority of our match in-person this past year. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County served 108 youth with Bigs last year. Staff provided support and coaching using in-person and a virtual model; we are continuing to find ways to connect Bigs, Littles and their families with additional resources when they become available.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about people." says Foundation For Youth's Executive Director Chuck Kime, "Kids become caring and responsible by learning it from committed adults. We're very proud of our staff and the special way they support our Bigs. Together they make a difference in young peoples' lives."

The Quality Award Winners was formally recognized at the 2022 ‘Bigger Together’ National Conference in June.

We do not need to create potential, we just need to defend it. The kids in our community are waiting for mentors who will stand with them to defend, ignite, and empower their potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters exists to create positive change in our community by matching youth with Bigs to build powerful friendships.

The BBBS Training Learning Exchange, (TLE) is an online resource that offers a vast amount of free training for BBBS staff and now available to care givers, new and/or current Bigs, The catalog includes a variety of trainings in mentoring, self development, youth development, and trauma informed care. We are excited to see many of the volunteers exploring this opportunity! Importantly, there are some self care options- such as Mindfulness series and Yoga! While are Bigs are caring and supporting for others, it is essential they take care as well. CLICK HERE

Contact your Match Support Specialist if you are having difficulty logging into the Training Learning Exchange.

We are happy to say that CREW CAR WASH continues to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, again, hosting an event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County. The event will take place at Crew Car Wash on National Road on Saturday, July 23rd from

7am -9pm. In addition to receiving 50% of the "sales" from the day, We are also allowed to furnish "contribution buckets" and encouraged to have "matches" greet the customers. We invite matches to participate in this local event. After all, BIGS and LITTLES are the best examples of the difference made in our community through the positive impact of a mentor!!

Please let Kelly Backmeyer know if you are able to help, and the times (9am-1pm) in which you are available. Event t-shirts will be provided!

There will be local radio stations on location from 10am-12pm...they LOVE to talk to the LITTLEs and BIGs, and share on air the impact mentoring makes in the lives of our youth. This time provides the opportunity to demonstrate to our LITTLES' the importance in volunteering!!

Thanks to FFY Prevention Initiatives-Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County and Family Services has partnered to offer this opportunity to families and Youth in our community. Keep-Connected is a Search Institute resource to help families grow stronger through developmental relationships.

FFY's Twilight Gala is a FREE outdoor dance, similar to our annual Royal Ball, for parents/guardians and their children ages 2 - 12! The Gala will be held at Foundation For Youth, 405 Hope Ave. Columbus IN, 47201.

• What to wear?
• "Dressy Casual" Nice Summer Dress, Shorts and a Button Down Shirt
• Pre-Registration is REQUIRED
• Register HERE
• In the Event of Rain the event will move inside of FFY
• Any Child is welcome to attend at any age but the recommended age range is 2-12.
• Parents are required attend the event with their children

Additional Questions about the Gala? Contact:
Hannah McCord, Resource Development
hannah@foundationforyouth.com or call (812)603-7814

Kelly Backmeyer

Program Director

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bartholomew County

812.348.4558 ext. 209

Kelly@foundationforyouth.com

Foundation for Youth

Email: Kelly@foundationforyouth.com
Website: http://www.foundationforyouth.com/
Location: 405 Hope Avenue, Columbus, IN, USA
Phone: 812.348.4558
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundationforyouth/