Big Spotlight: Meet Adam and Erik.

 

Like so many of our matches, when you first meet Big Brother Adam and his Little Brother Erik, you can immediately feel the energy and connection that the two share. But it is the understood sense of trust that truly unites this JBBBS match.

 

Adam and Erik learned very quickly that they have a LOT in common. Besides their mutual love of all things sports, they also share a favorite food: chicken fingers. During most of their outings together, you can find the two at a local restaurant munching on the fried snacks and chatting about Kevin Youkilis’ game winning homerun, or how the Celtics will do in the playoffs without KG. 

 

Though the two enjoy joking around and sharing new experiences together (it was Little Brother Erik that taught Big Brother Adam how to swing a golf club), it is the authenticity of their relationship that is what they value the most. Erik knows that Adam is someone he can trust; they chat about school, friends and Erik’s life as a teenager.

 

“I am lucky to have two great women in my life, my mom and my older sister. But having Adam has just been so great. He knows what I am going through, because he was a kid once too. And he is great and doesn’t pry for more details. We have a good time together and I know I can talk to him about what is going on,” Erik explained recently when he and Adam spoke at a Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ special event. “I am just so lucky to have him.” 

 

This is the first installment of “Big Spotlight.” Do you and your Little want to share your story? Email Robin for more information. 

Fore! Mini-Golf and Ice Cream a Master Success!

 

Not even 90 degree weather could deter the more than sixty JBBBS matches that attended the agency’s annual mini-golf outing. “Bigs” and “Littles” enjoyed an afternoon of fun, putting and ice cream.

 

Many “Littles” taught their “Bigs” a thing or two about mini-golf: more than 10 “Littles” hit holes in one! After “hitting the links”, “Bigs” and “Littles” enjoyed everyone’s favorite warm weather dessert: ice cream!

 

 JBBBS was lucky enough to be golfing at McGolf in Dedham that rewarded all holes in one with a free game for a future visit. With our results, it looks like McGolf should be seeing many JBBBS matches back for more this summer!

JBBBS Hosts 2nd Annual “Promoting Resilience in Children” Conference

Over 150 social workers, teachers, parents and guests were charged with becoming “charismatic adults” to children in their lives at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Second Annual, “Promoting Resilience in Children” conference on Friday, March 20th. Dr. Robert Brooks, a leading speaker on the themes of resilience, self-esteem, motivation and family relationships, and Sarah Ward, M.S., an expert on executive functioning skills were the event’s keynote speakers.

Dr. Brooks shared stories from his work at McLean Hospital with youth that were labeled as destined to fail. When Dr. Brooks spoke with those that had defied the odds, each one cited an adult that believed in them unconditionally. He urged those in attendance to be the “charismatic adult” that makes the difference for children on the brink. After hearing various strategies from Dr. Brooks, one social worker in attendance said “Robert Brooks was excellent- engaging, funny, and had great stories to illustrate his points. I received ideas and solutions that will change my life as a professional and a parent.” Following his talk, Dr. Brooks met with members in attendance and signed copies of his books, including ”Raising Resilient Children : Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child”.

Sarah Ward, M.S. is considered one of the foremost experts on executive function skills in children. Ward is dedicated to developing innovatitve treatment strategies and educating the community to understand, care for, and celebrate learning and behavior-based differences. She spoke to the audience about strategies that they could use in their professional work with children as well as their own children. Many attendees found Ward to be “inspiring, motivating and extremely helpful.”

After two successful conferences, JBBBS’ Vice President of Programs and Services Lisa G. Cohen, LICSW hopes that this will become not only an annual event, but a means for practioners to share ideas, “After receiving such positive feedback, we hope that participants will remain in touch with our agency and together we can work to best facilitate and promote resilience in children.”

The conference was subsidized by the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Judge Lewis Goldberg Endowment for Educational Programs.

Click here for more pictures from this great event.

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!

Bigs and Littles “Strike” Fun at Annual Bowling Event!

Over 60 Big Brothers and Big Sisters shared a day of spares, strikes and fun at the annual JBBBS bowling event held at Sacco Lanes in February. Below find photos from this great event!

Smile for the Camera!

Big Sister and Little Sister take a break from the lanes

A long time JBBBS match takes a break to pose for the camera

Brothers with the same name smile between games!

A smiling Big Sister and Little Sister enjoy bowling at Sacco Lanes

Little Brother L shows Big Brother E how to candle pin bowl

Ready Set Bowl! Each year this Big Sister and Little Sister maked themed shirts for the event!

Bowling Brings Out the Best in JBBBS Matches

Big Sister F and Little Sister H take a snack break to refuel before hitting the lanes again

JBBBS Recongized by Mass Mentoring

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters was recongized as an Inaugural Member of the Mass Mentoring Partnership Quality-Based program for mentoring agencies across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

At a ceremony held at the State House in Boston on January 22nd, 2009, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters was recognized with 14 other organizations during a celebration of National Mentoring Month.

Inaugural Members of the program were instrumental in creating standards of high quality mentoring to children. JBBBS President/CEO Harvey Lowell, PhD and Vice President of Programs and Services Lisa Cohen LICSW, were instrumental in working with the Mass Mentoring Partnership in creating standards that help recognize organizations that provide high program quality.

January is National Mentoring Month

 

January is National Mentoring Month, a month to reflect on the great work of volunteers, and to promote youth mentoring. The annual event has occurred since January 2002 and was originally spearheaded through the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR. Now in its seventh full year, President George W. Bush has officially proclaimed January as National Mentoring Month.

 

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters is proud to recognize its volunteers who truly have enriched the lives of children, their families and adults with disabilities by acting as a caring adult friend. They play basketball, go to the movies, and eat ice cream. They paint pottery, go bowling, and cheer on the Red Sox. Most importantly, they smile, they listen and they care. Our agency could not be entering its 90^th year of servicing the Jewish community without the compassion, enthusiasm and friendship that our volunteers provide. We are forever grateful.