Spread some spring time cheer: A note from Our Clinical Director, Lisa G. Cohen, LICSW

A Note From Our Clinical Director, Lisa G. Cohen, LICSW

Spread some spring time cheer.   It has truly been a long cold lonely winter (remember the Beatle’s song?) – However, despite some of the cool temperatures spring has indeed arrived.  Let’s say good-bye to the winter blues and get a jump start into spring and new beginnings.  Here are a few activity ideas for you and your Little to try.    Plan a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood, the local park, or the Arnold arboretum.  Make it simple.  Have your Little find a Robin Red Breast, a budding daffodil, an earthworm, a new leaf sprouting, have them pick up a piece of litter, or share your favorite spring time memory.             Plant something and watch it grow.  If you want to plant indoors – get a small pot, potting soil, and either a bulb, a potato that’s sprouted roots in your kitchen cupboard, or buy a small herb for the kitchen that your Little can take home, prune and add to their salad.     Go for a hike!  There are some wonderful local areas where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll and time with your Little that are unstructured and nature oriented.  You can even pack a picnic (peanut butter and jelly never tastes better than out in the woods).  Check out the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton or the Habitat in Belmont.  It’s great exercise, full of wonder, fun, and it’s free!   Get active!  Take some chalk onto the black top and draw or play hopscotch (you’re never too old for this), jump rope, throw a Frisbee, play some hoop, or hang out with the friendly dogs in the park.    Whatever you choose to do – welcome spring in someway and enjoy the sunshine!    Wishing you a Happy Passover and Happy Spring full of warm weather activities!

A Look at Activity: JBBBS Activity Program Enjoy Arts, Eats and Treats!

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Activity Based Matches met  at the JCC in February for a day of “Arts, Eats and Treats”. Matches had the opportunity to build houses out of candy and icing and play drama games like paper bag dramatics in a fun filled day.

Big Brother H and Little Brother M make sure there is PLENTY of icing on their candy house!

Activity Based Matches hard at work making delicious "eats and treats"

A team of "Bigs" and "Littles" gets ready for a drama game!

Check out pictures from this great event!

Sisters “See What You Can Be” with Acclaimed Tween-Author Liz Suneby

Nationally recognized “tween” author Liz Suneby joined Big Sisters and Little Sisters in a two part workshop hosted by Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters and funded by a grant from the Boston Jewish Community Women’s Fund. Suneby is the author of the acclaimed book published by American Girl, “See What You Can Be” a book aimed at girls exploring careers and goals.

Big Sisters were invited to the first workshop exclusively tailored to them in early January. Suneby explained how to use her book, with girls ages eight to twelve, which included determining what “type” of girl they were “hands on girl,” “big thinker,”  or “shaker-upper.” Many Big Sisters commented how fun the event was and that it would have been helpful to them earlier in their own lives.

In late February, Big Sisters were invited to bring their Little Sisters to a second workshop aimed at helping the girls discover careers that could be of interest to them. The workshop began with a panel of women who shared with the group how their interests and experience led to their current jobs.

Big Sister Jen, a high school guidance counselor in East Boston spoke about her education and career path that lead to her current position.  Linda, a Big Sister in the community program shared how she transitioned from paralegal to her dream of being a lawyer. Dog Trainer Martha shared her experiences as a Dog Trainer and shared how she was able to follow her love of animals into a career that she loved.  

Following the panel, “Bigs” and “Littles” enjoyed working through the activities in “See What You Can Be” including using an old fashioned paper fortune teller to help them discover new interests and possible careers. The event ended with a pizza party and many Little Sisters asking how they could enroll in dog obedience school!

Check out more pictures from this great event!

MAGIC Moment: Friend 2 Friend participants enjoy Pizza Making!

Friend 2 Friend program participants enjoyed a night of food, friendship and fun at Pizzeria Uno’s in Allston at February’s MAGIC event. Each group met with friends and fellow group members to create their own customized pizza and share good company and conversation. A fantastic time was had by all.