Match Spotlight: Courtney and Jachise

Friends from the Start

In October 2011, Jachise met her Big Sister, Courtney, for the first time.  Typically, a friendship can take months even years to build but this match clicked from day one.  Jachise first discovered Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) when her cousin was matched with a Big Sister.  Jachise's mother told BBBS when she enrolled her daughter into the program that Jachise had been asking to get a Big Sister for quite awhile.  Jachise's mother finally agreed and felt it wouldn't be a bad idea to give Jachise another adult to confide in outside of their family unit.  While at the same time, Courtney applied to become a Big Sister because she thought it would be nice to be someone's Big Sister for a change as she is the youngest in her family.

Jachise and Courtney were matched and, although is has only been a few months, have been working their way toward a long lasting friendship.  They get together regularly each month sharing in laughter and smiles every visit.  Jachise has not stopped talking about her Big Sister since the day they met!  With Courtney being a student at the University of Northern Iowa, they have spent most of their time exploring the UNI world from sporting events to eating meals together at the dining center.  Courtney and Jachise participate in BBBS events with other matches, visit the library and listen to music together.  Jachise is still surprised that they like the same music!

Jachise's mother feels this match is wonderful and a perfect fit for her daughter stating, "Courtney is the bomb!"  Just recently, Jachise has made improvements in her grades and looks forward to the year ahead with her Big Sister.  Let the laughter continue...

Wordless Wednesday: National Mentoring Month

On January 14, in celebration of National Mentoring Month, the good folks at Home Depot sponsored a building workshop and store tour for all Big Brothers Big Sisters matches.

**Special thanks to Gabriel Nunez and the entire Home Depot Team**

                                                    

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The National Mentoring Month festivities continued on February 11 when the Waverly Palace Theater featured a morning movie showing of Beauty and the Beast and Journey 2.  Matches were able to choose between the two movies and sport their 3D glasses!  

**Special thanks to Brandon Zelle at the Waverly Palace Theater and the Waverly Community Fund for funding this event** 

Bowl For Kids' Sake 2012

Bowl a strike. Make an impact.

Tell Your Friends

 Form A Team

Join Us For Costume Night

How About A Friendly Competition With Coworkers?

Spend Your Friday Night Bowling For A Good Cause
  

Win Sweet Prizes

 

Not a Professional Bowler?  No Problem!

It's All About Having FUN!!

                        

So Form a Bowl For Kids' Sake Team Today and Be the Change You Want to See in Your Community

To Register Your Team Visit the Website Below for Waterloo or Waverly

Cadillac Lanes - Waterloo, IA                              Waverly Bowl Inn - Waverly, IA

March 8th or 9th                                             March 14th or 18th
www.iowabigs.org/bfks                                   www.iowabigs.org/bremerbfks
 

January Matches and February Anniversaries

 Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to WELCOME the following new matches made in January:

Karen Ott and Adriana
Allissa Knudsen and Shakiya


CONGRATS to the following matches reaching their anniversary in the month of February:
 

One Year:

Rachel Zylstra and Hailey

Dan McKenzie and Darin

Two Years:

Paige Muilenburg and Alexander

Jenna Miller & Kylie Ingvall and MarQuavian

Jennifer Pothast and Kelsey

Savannah Pike and Carlie

Mary Hatala and Kieran

Three Years:

Whitney Mitvalsky and Raelynn

Laura Duitsman and Bradly

Mary Widmer and Aaron

Julia Haverdink and Cheyenne

Four Years:

William Straka and Jerrod

Chuck Lindaman and Wyatt

Ellen Vanderloo and Nashalet

Five Years:

Sharon Miller and Renata

Maribeth Boelts and Makaila

Mentoring Works, Here's the Proof:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America announced the Youth Outcomes Report during the second annual National Mentoring Summit last month.  The groundbreaking report shows statistically significant improvements nationwide for youth enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  This evaluation targets three outcome areas: educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors and emotional competency.  Progress in the areas listed above have been linked to increased high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa has been conducting the Youth Outcomes Survey with children served locally since the report was released in 2009.  The proof is in the numbers that mentoring does work.  Both Community Based and School Based programs have demonstrated improvements in the following areas:
             

                  -  74%   are thinking about their future with plans to finish high 

                                 school and attend college

                  -  68%   have had a reduction in their unexcused absences

                  -  85%   have shown improvement in the areas of competence,
                                 confidence and levels of caring

 Big Brothers Big Sisters continues to operate under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life.  By partnering with community volunteers, parents, schools and local businesses, we are positively empowering our youth for a better tomorrow.

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Bremer County: Community Based Big of the Year 2012

Shari began her match with her Little Sister, Chelsey, July 7, 2008, the year of the floods in Waverly.  Chelsey and her family had just lost their home to the flood and it took some time to relocate Chelsey and her family.  Shari was very patient during the process.  Chelsey and Shari bonded immediately.  Shari and Chelsey attend almost every Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsored event and have raised money for Bowl For Kids’ Sake too!  Shari and Chelsey have gotten together every week for the last 3 ½ years.  They will generally go to Shari’s home and do crafts, play games, and make supper.   Chelsey knew that by having a Big Sister she always had someone to talk to when she was struggling with school and friends .   

When asked how Chelsey would describe Shari, Chelsey said that "Shari is a fun loving person that has nothing to say but good things." Chelsey’s Mom is thankful for such a wonderful match and feels like they will be together forever.  

Congratulations Shari, you are have stood by Chelsey's side through it all!  Being a positive and fun person to your Little Sister is what we strive for at Big Brothers Big Sisters.  

Bremer County: School Based Big of the Year

Abby began her match with her Little Sister, Zoe, in March 25, 2009 at Irving Elementary in Waverly.  Abby and Zoe have a very strong connection, so strong that in January 2010 they transferred their match to the School Based Plus program.  Abby still meets with Zoe once a week at school and also once a month outside of school.   At school, Abby and Zoe work on schoolwork and enjoy talking and catching up with one another.  When seeing each other outside of school, Abby has taken Zoe to her parent’s home, made cookies, gone to movies, attended Big Brothers Big Sisters' events and just hung out.  Abby will be graduating from Wartburg College this May and is planning on keeping in touch with Zoe the old fashion way by writing letters.  Abby has seen Zoe’s self confidence grow these last three years.  When asked what is Zoe’s favorite part about being matched with Abby,  Zoe says that "Abby is funny, a good listener, outgoing and awesome!"    Abby is excited about Zoe being in High School next year and still being able to be a part of her life.  

Congratulations Abby!