Saying Goodbye

As you know, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington has been struggling financially for a number of months. Unfortunately, our recent efforts - an appeal to the community, aggressively applying for grants and an added event - have not been enough.

  

On behalf of the BBBS-NW Board of Directors, it is with deep regret and sadness that we report Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is closing.  We wanted you to know before the press release goes out tomorrow.

  

Since 1976, BBBS-NW has supported children to stay in school, graduate from high school, make positive choices, and strengthen relationships with their families.

  

BBBS-NW has had a long and varied history. We have served, at different times, just Whatcom County and both Whatcom and Skagit counties. We had many profitable years with Bingo which allowed us to financially support and fund other local non-profits. We have earned numerous awards over the years, most recently as the Whatcom Chamber of Commerce's Non-Profit of the Year in 2011.  

And there have been challenges, especially after the closing of Bingo in 2002. Since then we have struggled to find a consistent, reliable funding stream. Some Federal grants have seen us through some lean times, but, since the economic downturn, those funds have dried up as well. Even with the merger we were pursuing, we can say with assurance that our funding model cannot sustain us.

  

And so, with grateful hearts to you for your years of continued support and commitment, it is time for us to close our doors, effective September 30, 2013.

  

A quote that has appeared in many of our event programs and newsletters over the years says, "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world." Your generosity and support over the years has meant the world to us. We can't thank you enough for trusting us and enabling us to give the children of our community that one person who meant the world to them.

We want to give a big thanks to the Bellingham Herald for printing this op-ed peice written by our very own Colleen Haggerty, Check it out below:

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks support for mentoring youths

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/05/15/3002677/big-brothers-big-sisters-seeks.html#storylink=cpy

By COLLEEN HAGGERTY — COURTESY TO THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

 To the lives of the children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington, mentoring matters. Our program makes a difference in the lives of our Little Brothers and Little Sisters every day.

Right now our organization needs you. The result of the loss of two significant grants a few years ago combined with the economic recession means that we haven't been able to build up our reserves; we've had to use them. We are at a critical juncture and there are two organizations with whom we are actively pursuing a merger. But we know that mergers take time. So we are coming to you, the community that we have served for 37 years, to financially help us as we continue the process of merging.

Mentoring is a preventative, back-door approach to improving the life of a child facing adversity. You have likely seen many of our matches out in the community -- having cocoa at a coffee shop, playing Frisbee at Boulevard Park, or at the movie theater -- but there's far more going on between that Big and that Little than it appears.

Changing the life of a child is a simple act. For one of our Big Sisters, the opportunity to change the life of her Little Sister came when she saw her Little Sister deal with peer pressure in middle school. The Little Sister's friends were choosing to have sex, use drugs and join gangs. She looked to her Big Sister, someone with whom she could have honest, candid conversations about these issues. Her Big Sister demystified and de-glorified these topics and presented real consequences to choosing those paths. The Little Sister fought the peer pressure and is now a thriving high school student.

Our impact on good decision making is felt long after Littles graduate from high school and from our program. Of the alumni Little who responded to the 2009 Harris Interactive survey:

Ninety percent said their relationship with their Big helped them make better choices throughout their childhood;

Eighty-six percent said their relationship with their Big has helped them make better choices throughout their adult life;

Seventy-six percent said they learned right from wrong from their Big.

For one of our Little Brothers, a boy who never thought higher education was within reach, the moment that changed everything was when his Big Brother, a WWU college student, explained to him that he, too, could go to college and develop his passion: fixing computers. That Little Brother is now planning to go to BTC for their computer technology degree.

Our impact on education is felt long after Littles graduate from high school. In 2009, Harris Interactive conducted an online survey of alumni Littles from across the nation. Among those former Littles:

Seventy-seven percent reported doing better in school because of their Big;

Sixty-five percent agreed their Big helped them reach a higher level of education that they thought possible;

Fifty-two percent agreed their Big kept them from dropping out of high school.

Many people are surprised to discover that we need to raise every dollar of our budget every year. We do not have a fee for service, any federally mandated dollars, or a passive source of income. We do have three fundraising events every year: our annual auction and gala, Bowl For Kids' Sake and our Golf Classic. We also aggressively apply for grants and depend on corporate and individual donations.

So, how can you help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington weather this storm? There are three ways you can support us:

Join us for Mentoring Matters "Pledge for the Kids" event at Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden on Saturday, June 8, from 4 - 10 p.m. This event is a plea to you, our local community, to support the survival of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington. Come enjoy live music, entertainment, raffles and make a financial pledge to prove "Mentoring Matters" in our community!

Enjoy a game of golf and dinner with your friends at our annual Golf Classic on Aug. 9 at Shuksan Golf Club, Bellingham.

Or, if you'd rather skip the events and just make a contribution, go to our website at www.bbbs-nw.org.

Mentoring matters. Please help Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington continue to fulfill our mission to mentor youth facing adversity in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Colleen Haggerty is executive director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington. Contact her at colleenh@bbbs-nw.org.

Click below to visit the Bellingham Herald website and article: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/05/15/3002677/big-brothers-big-sisters-seeks.html

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/05/15/3002677/big-brothers-big-sisters-seeks.html#storylink=cpy

BBBS-NW SEEKS PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SURVIVAL

Decreased Funding Creates Financial Struggle for BBBS-NW to

Continue to Serve At-Risk Youth

Bellingham, WA, May 6, 2013 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBS-NW) is asking for donations from the local community to support their mission to mentor at-risk youth in Whatcom & Skagit counties.   Decreased funding has recently forced BBBS-NW to cut programs, execute layoffs, and shrink the operating budget.  

Discussions of mergers, heavy fundraising efforts, and continued cuts are being pursued.  BBBS-NW went from an average of 7.2 full time staff in 2012 to 4.5 in 2013.  Many Bigs and Littles remain unmatched on a waiting list. Each match costs approximately $1,092 per year, with heavy staff hours going into interviewing, background checks, training of Bigs, matching, and ongoing support.

BBBS-NW has provided mentoring relationships locally for 37 years and weathered several recessions. In 1986, BBBS-NW saw huge success in the Bingo program, prior to the opening of local casinos.   During those more prosperous times, BBBS-NW actually financially supported other non-profits.   Over the last four years, one significant grant decreased from $84,696 in 2009, $40,635 in 2010, $17,724 in 2011, and $4,689 in 2012.  Another grant, which had an annual average of $184,879, ended in 2010.  This drastic decrease in grants, combined with dwindling individual contributions from the community ($14,947 in 2012), forced the elimination of the highly regarded School Buddies program, resulting in 115 fewer children served. Further drastic actions may need to be implemented.

The School Buddies program served children at nine local schools.  When BBBS-NW evaluated continued viability last fall, they chose to suspend School Buddies in order to keep the organization open.  The teachers involved, though saddened by the news, expressed a strong desire to see the program reopen if BBBS-NW found itself in a healthier situation in the future.   

Executive Director Colleen Haggerty says, “While we don’t have a facility to showcase our program, the impacts to our community are profound.  What we do changes lives.  When a child thrives as they do with a mentor, the effects ripples into the community in positive ways. I don’t think this community wants to see us close our doors.”

Poverty is a strong indicator of risky behaviors in youth and 81% of youth served by BBBS-NW fall into that category, while 78% do not have two parents at home.  Children mentored by BBBS are 47% less likely to use illegal drugs.  86% of alumni said they learned to make better choices throughout their adult life from their Big.  389 children were served in 2010, with only 89 in 2013 (YTD) throughout Whatcom & Skagit counties.  

In order to remain a viable resource, BBBS-NW needs roughly 100 people to donate $80 on a monthly basis.  For those interested in donating to keep Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington a vital part of our community, call 360-671-6400 or go to our website:  www.bbbs-nw.org.  On Saturday, June 8^th BBBS-NW is hosting a pledge drive event, “Mentoring Matters,” at Boundary Bay beer garden from 4 – 10 pm.  Entertainment, raffles and food will be available.

ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST WASHINGTON

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington is the largest one-to-one mentoring organization in Northwest Washington.  The vision of BBBS-NW is to provide children who face adversity with thriving one-to-one mentoring relationships, building stronger communities for generations to come.

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A BIG Thank You

This post is for all of our amazing volunteers-

For our Big Sisters and Big Brothers who take the time to hang out with little kids. For our staff who spend their days making matches and working tirelessly to keep our doors open, and for our board members who are always giving us their all. and of course, its for our interns, our sponsors and our amazing community for always supporting us! 

Without all of you we wouldn't be able to do what we do, and we are so thankful! We want to share with you some testimonials from people who have benefited from your support. 

What a Big Brother did for Nicole’s son…
“My name is Nicole, and I’m a busy, self-employed, single-mother of an amazing 8 year-old boy named Nickolas. Nick and I have been on our own for awhile now and have truly been to hell and back. We have survived living through domestic violence and are really proud of how far we have come from where we once started. My son has been without a dad since he was 8 months old. The void and absence that this has caused within our lives is something that has brought me a lot of heartache and sadness.

“I was extremely fortunate to have learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters while we were living at Dorothy Place. Although, Nick was put on a waiting list that was over a year long, I must say that it was well worth the wait!

“Little did I know that we would get matched with the perfect “Big Brother,” for Nick, this amazing man’s name is David. David and Nick hit it off right away by doing some of the things that Nick loves best, being outdoors, spending quality time together, bonding and playing with some pretty amazing creatures that Mother Nature provides.

“We have been truly blessed to have known David for over a year and to have him be a part of Nick’s life. David may not know it, but the type of impact that he has made in my son’s life is one that brings tears to my eyes as I write this letter. David is helping to fill the all too important role of being a much needed healthy male figure in my son’s life. (Thankfully, Nick is also blessed to have a wonderful and healthy role model that his Grandpa provides as well and does an unbelievable job with!) For a young boy I think that one of the most important things for him to have in his life is a man to look up to, to learn from and to gain insight, knowledge and skills into what it means to be a “very good man.” This is what David is for my son, but I see him also, “A True Hero Within Our Lives!”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart David! When you decided to make a huge difference in our lives and volunteer for the ‘Big Brother/Big Sister,’ program without an expectation of compensation, you sacrificed a part of yourself that my son is benefiting so much from. What else could any person in my shoes ask for? You’re the best!”

Sharon on her son’s experience with a Big Brother:
“I have always felt that my son will be a great person when he grows up. I knew that getting a Big Brother or Sister would contribute to his enthusiastic attitude about life. When he was paired with Katie [in the School Buddies Program], he was ecstatic! He looks up to her and loves to spend time just talking and hanging out. Every child could use an older “brother” or “sister” to be there for them and just be a positive influence in their lives. Andre looks forward to seeing her and keeping in touch even when school is out. I know this is a friendship that he will remember and treasure.”

For more testimonials, visit our website at www.bbbs-nw.org.

If you're interested in volunteering, please don't hesitate to call or email us! We can never have too many volunteers : ) 

Our next big event is Bowl for Kids' Sake, its not to early to sign up your team and start gathering donations! Join us in April for a fun day of snacks, prizes and bowling ! 

Happy Mentoring month everyone! 

Reunite Now!

ATTENTION ALL FORMER BIGS, LITTLES, EMPLOYEES, AND BOARD MEMBERS: THIS IS FOR YOU! :)

Big Brothers Big Sisters is launching a new campaign to reach out to everyone who used to be involved with BBBS, and bring them back! We want to keep in touch with you all, and this is our way of making that happen!

With the new Reunite campaign, we will be able to reach out and reconnect people with their Bigs or Littles. It will be easier for us to keep you updated about BBBS and share with you the great things we are doing in the community. Maybe you've moved, and lost touch with your  Big/Little, not a problem. BigBrothers Big Sisters of America will be referring people to the correct branches, and hopefully we will be able to get those past matches back together :)

We miss having you involved and want to reunite, Click Here to start your search today !

National Mentoring Month!

Happy New Year! 

Everyone at Big Brothers Big Sisters is excited to begin a new year with tons of new opportunities for helping our community. We have a lot going on this year at BBBS and are so glad that youll be a part of it! 

First off for this year we have January, National Mentoring Month! How will you spread the word about mentoring this January? Here are ten things YOU can do for national mentoring month 

• 1.
  Become a mentor in your community.
• 2.
  Learn more about mentoring.
• 3.
  Partner with a mentoring organization.
• 4.
  Join "I Am a Mentor" Day on January 10.
• 5.
  Think about the mentors in your life, post a tribute to them online, then tweet about them using the #NationalMentoringMonth hashtag.
• 6.
  Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
• 7.
  Serve your community on MLK Day of Service, January 13, by deciding to become a mentor.
• 8.
  Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community.
• 9.
  Go to YouTube on Thank Your Mentor Day™ (January 17) and make the National Mentoring Month videos the most popular of the day.
• 10.
  Explore ways to help children succeed academically through mentoring.
  
  
  
  

Also, here are some encouraging words about mentoring from President Obama : 

"Mentors know that helping a child unlock their full potential begins with care, guidance, and support - which is why my Administration is proud to celebrate mentorship nationwide through programs that help young people see the strength within themselves. We created the Corporate Mentoring Challenge, which encourages businesses across our country to open or expand mentoring programs that equip our youth with the tools to achieve. We have connected young men and women in the Washington, D.C., area with mentors at the White House, and we have partnered with groups across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to build pathways to summer job opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth. And since 2010, we have worked to build strong connections between children and responsible adults through our Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative."

If you want to see the entire proclamation click here : http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/12/31/presidential-proclamation-national-mentoring-month-2013

We want to hear about your mentoring experiences and what youre doing for mentoring month, so let us know via Facebook or Twitter! 

You, Social Media, and your Little

Hey Bigs! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. This week we wanted to do a little post to talk about Social Media, and how your adventures with your Little fit into that.

We are so thankful when you guys mention BBBS in social media, it helps spread the word about our organization and gains more followers and volunteers for us. We can never have enough Bigs! But it's important to make sure you keep your Little anonymous when you post. To do this, just dont post any names or pictures. We want to make sure we keep that part of the program off of the internet. Its up to your Little to decide if he/she wants to tell people they are in the program, and to protect their decision please avoid mentioning names.

Other ways to refer to your Little:
Little
Little Brother/ Little Sister
My Match
First letter of his or her name (i.e. Me and S went to the movies today)

Thank you for being understanding of this, and if you have any questions regarding social media and your Little please dont hesitate to email or call us! Here is a list of our staff, and their contact information:

http://bbbs-nw.org/about-us

Thanks!

Another year, another successful auction and gala!

Everyone at Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW Washington would like to say thank you to all of our amazing sponsors, volunteers, staff members, board members, and guests at our 2012 BIG Sock Hop  Auction and Gala!!! It was an amazing time, and we raised so much money that will go to supporting mentoring in our community.

All the money donated at the auction will go towards supporting our programs, and will allow us to continue changing the lives of our Bigs and Littles.

For those of you who weren't able to make it this year, here are some of the highlights:

We had a photo-booth-- complete with props! 

Check out these rockin' costumes! 

Fabulous desserts donated for the dessert dash, as per usual! 

Thank you to our event planner Lori and our auction co-chairs Whitney and Susie for everything! 

We even had a Doo-wop group preform! 

We had some fabulous things to auction off, its hard to contain your excitement when you win! 

Our Executive Director, Colleen Hagerty 

One of our current Big Sisters sharing her story about why she loves being a Big

As you can see it was a ton of fun, and even though it was a lot of work we cant wait for next year! Thanks again to everyone who came out to help and support us. We will be able to help more kids than ever this upcoming year, providing mentors for any and all kids in need.  

"We changed a life in a very big way, and none of that would  have been possible without Big Brothers Big Sisters. None of that would have been possible without you." 

The BIG Sock Hop!

Can you believe the auction is only a week away?! We have been working like crazy to get everything ready, but its all been worth it! Just last week we finalized the auction items list. It’s always heartwarming to see just how much support we have from our community, so many item donors and fabulous volunteers have stepped up to help this auction be the best that it can be.

Some of our items include exciting getaways, game day tickets, thrilling adventures and so much more!

A big thank you to our auction sponsors this year- BP Cherry point, Barleans Organic Oils, Les Schwab, Phillips 66, Silver Reef Hotel, Casino and Spa, The Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn and Conference Center, Bank of the pacific, Barkley Family Dentistry, WELLESSE, Columbia Bank, Ferndale Volunteer Firefighters Association, inquirewithin.com, Littlefuse, People’s Bank, US Bank, Weight Law Firm, Menchie’s, and Whidbey Island Bank. We would also like to thank Bellingham Golf and Country Club for providing such a beautiful venue for the event!

Dinner this year will make your mouth water - Dinner choices are steak or vegetarian portobello mushroom wellington.  The 8oz. Top Sirloin will be wrapped with Hempler bacon on a bed of pinot noir demi glaze.  The Portobello wellington is a house made puff pastry stuffed with a fire-roasted portobello, seasonal vegetables and smoked mozzarella, served whole.  When you register for the event (click here to register!) you can make your dinner choices.

Hopefully you all will be able to join us this year for a silent auction, wine and hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet dinner,live auction and delicious deserts!  

Check out some pictures from our last year's auctions:

This year our theme is The Big Sock Hop. We encourage you to pull out that ol' poodle skirt and dress to theme :) November 3 at 5:30 - hope to see everyone there! 

Click here to register and reserve your seats today 

Washington's Mentor of the Year!

First off, sorry for the delay of this blog. We have been working tirelessly on our upcoming Auction & Gala, The BIG Sock Hop! Its going to be a ton of fun- hope to see you all there!

We have some really exciting news, Stan Chronister, a Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW Washington Board member and Big Brother, has been named Outstanding Mentor of the Year by Washington State Mentors!

Stan has done a wonderful job at taking his little out for fun activities and providing quality one-on-one time for his Little. Because of his mentoring, his Little Brother has grown much more confident and articulate, and now has someone he can always turn to and depend on.

We are so grateful for Stan and all that he has done for BBBS NWW, his little, and our whole community. This award is well deserved, congratulations Stan! Thank you for all you do!

Start the School Year off Right!

We're halfway through September but there is still time to sign up for some of our awesome programs here at Big Brothers Big Sisters! The beginning of the school year is a great time to be matched up with a little brother or sister- help them start the school year of right and mentor them through out the year.

Here are some quick FAQs about BBBS, if you want to read the whole list visit our website

What kind of programs are available?

• We make matches in three different programs: Community-Based, School Buddies and Mother to Mother

What are the volunteer requirements?

• Community-Based Bigs:
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have no more than 3 moving violations in the last 3 years (if planning on transporting your Little).
  • Can provide proof of car insurance (if planning on transporting your Little).
  • Have not been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years.
  • Have not been convicted of a gross misdemeanor in the past 3 years or any misdemeanors in the past year.
  • No crimes against children. Ever.
  • No sexual crimes. Ever.
  • No violent crimes against another person. Ever.
  • No current illegal drug or illegal alcohol use.
  • Attend an orientation
• School Buddies Bigs
• Must be at least a Sophomore in High School or older.
• Must have Parent Permission if under the age of 18.
• Meet the same requirements as Community-Based Bigs (with the exception of the driving record).
• Attend an orientation
• Be fingerprinted
• Mother to Mother
• This is a new program, so we're still working out the details! e-mail admin@bbbs-nw.org if you are interested.

Announcing: Mother 2 Mother Program

Mother-2-Mother
Reaching out to Teenage Mothers

Mother-2-Mother (M2M) is a new program at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Washington (BBBS-NW) designed to empower pregnant or parenting teenage mothers to be the best moms and students they can be. Through one-to-one mentoring, we will match these teens with experienced mothers who will guide the teen moms as they navigate high school and motherhood. We hope to see these girls succeed in school, develop nurturing bonds with their babies, learn vital parenting skills, and believe in their own potential.

Why do we need M2M?

• Each year, over 200 babies are born to teenage mothers in Whatcom County alone.
• On average, only 40% of teen mothers continue their education after becoming pregnant.
• Teen mothers have a 20% re-pregnancy rate, meaning that one in five will become pregnant again before finishing school.

How will it help?

• Data collected from our BBBS sister agency in New York showed that, when mentored, teen mothers’ likelihood of continuing their education rose to 90%.
• Additionally, the New York data showed that the mentored teen moms’ re-pregnancy rate was just 2%.

How is M2M different than traditional community-based mentoring?

• All of the mentors will be mothers themselves, and hold at least high school degrees. This will allow them to share parenting and academic advice, as well as emotional support.

What is expected of our mother mentors?

• Our screening process includes checking the potential mentor’s driving history, doing a background check and calling three references.  We also conduct an extensive interview.
• Our required 8 hour training gives mentors the tools they need to support their teen mom.
• Monthly match support calls from BBBS-NW staff ensure the match is thriving.
• Attendance at the quarterly mentor forums will give mentors on-going support and training.

For more information please phone our office at 360.671.6400.
Visit our website for further details on all our Mentoring Programs.

Your Little Brother or Sister is waiting for you

The Need for Mentors

What if every child in Whatcom and Skagit Counties had all of the support and guidance they needed to graduate high school? Avoid drug and alcohol abuse? Apply for and achieve the career of their dreams? Consider the impact that would have, both on the children and the community. Of the children enrolled in our programs, 82% live in low income families, and 68% live in single parent households. By mentoring a child you are providing fresh perspectives, supporting positive self-esteem, and being a role model for vulnerable children in our community.

Start Something

bigger than yourself.

Mentoring leaves a positive lasting impact on the life of the mentored child, giving them a chance to avoid a lot of life’s many pitfalls like drinking, drugs, gangs and dropping out of school. When compared to their non-mentored counterparts, children with mentors are:

• 33% less likely to use violence to solve a problem.
• 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs.
• 52% less likely to skip school.
• 97% less likely to become involved with the juvenile authorities.
• 87% more likely to graduate high school.
• 75% more likely to receive a college degree.

Back to School (Buddies) Time!

It's almost fall, and school will be starting soon, which means that the School Buddies program will be starting back up with it! School Buddy matches meet for an hour a week on school grounds, during school hours, giving kids all the benefits of mentoring within their own academic environment.

School Buddies offers a regular schedule and a slightly lower time commitment than Community-Based mentoring. It's perfect for students, full-time workers, or anyone who just misses recess! By just having fun together for one hour each week, you can help a child stay in school and on the right track.
 
School Buddies mentoring makes school fun! As a school-based Big Brother or Big Sister, you can improve the life of a local child simply by spending one hour per week at his or her school.
 

More details on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW Washington School Buddies Program

School Buddies is an innovative approach created by Big Brothers Big Sisters to reach a more diverse population of children. The program is designed to improve youth’s social skills as well as foster academic performance. The volunteer meets with the student on the school campus, once a week during school hours, for a minimum of one school year. They play games, shoot hoops, just hang out or work on homework. We have found that programs that encourage activities with a socio-emotional focus are more likely to have greater academic impact, higher quality and longer duration compared to programs that focus on academic/tutoring activities.

The essence of creating strong mentor-student matches is the careful selection, training and support of volunteers. Applicant processing includes a Washington state criminal background check (including fingerprinting), two written references, and an in-person interview.

Mentoring DOES make a difference.

Students involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ School Buddies Program were assessed by teachers, parents and volunteers for two consecutive school years. The results were very encouraging. They:

·        developed more positive attitudes toward school.
·        achieved higher grades in math, social studies and languages.
·        experienced improved relationships with adults.
·        experienced improved relationships with peers.
·        were better able to express feelings.
·        developed increased self-confidence.
·        were more likely to trust their teacher.

Check out  www.bbbs-nw.org/programs for more information, or call (360) 671-6400 today.

Your Little School Buddy might already be waiting for you!