Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California is gearing up for the 25^th Anniversary of Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraising campaign. This fun-filled event is our largest national and community-wide fundraiser that takes place in all 5 counties served here in the Central Valley. We’re excited to offer you the opportunity to help kids in your local community. It’s a great chance to meet with your family, friends and coworkers for a few hours of fun while making a difference for our Little Brothers and Sisters. We provide 2 games of bowling, T-shirts, awards for competitions, opportunities for prizes and much more to celebrate your team’s impact.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake is not really about bowling, but about helping children realize their potential and thrive in life through the power of mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven through independent studies to help families by improving the odds that Littles will perform better in school and avoid violent and illegal activities, and have stronger relationships with their parents and others. Our mentoring really works!

Participating in Bowl For Kids’ Sake is simple and rewarding! By forming a team or sponsoring this event you have the ability to raise money that will change a child’s life forever. Please review the forms below for more detailed information about sponsoring this event and signing up your teams.  Additionally, click on the link below to check out our online Bowl For Kids’ Sake website. Should you have additional questions please call (559) 268-2447 or send an e-mail to jduarte@bigs.org.  

Your support Starts Something for the children in our community.

2012 BFKS Team Recruitment Form

BFKS Sponsorship Form 2012

Team Registration Form

• 66% improved their confidence they will finish high school
• 76% of all Little Brothers and Sisters now state they felt confident they will graduate
• 67% improved feelings of school competency
• 60% improved feelings of social acceptance, which research shows leads to higher grades and graduation
• 48% improved grades

Food Scavenger Hunt

January 14^th 12-4PM

Registration: 11:45 AM

Hello Community Members and Bigs,

This Saturday, January 14^th, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be hosting a Food Scavenger Hunt. The community and Bigs with their Littles are invited to take part in a scavenger hunt around town to seek out different kinds of nonperishable foods and will be awarded points based on the kinds of foods that they bring in to donate. Based on the number of points you receive, you will be entered into two separate raffles to receive awesome prizes! All the food will go to the Community Foodbank and will be given to needy families in our community and Veterans.

To R.S.V.P please email Chris at ctoth@bigs.org

Thank you so much!

This event is in tandem with Martin Luther King events taking place all weekend. For more information on other events please check out Hands On Central California’s Website at:

http://bit.ly/xoUA5x

We were able to keep all of our matches open and active after the sudden elimination of the federal grant. We had enrolled 73 children in this year’s grant who had parents currently in prison. About 70% of all of our matches have a history of parental incarceration. This family situation is difficult on many levels, leading to higher probability of not completing high school, physical or emotional changes due to the on-going trauma, and hidden feelings of shame and stigma. Your support means these kids will continue to have their Big by their side.

Thank you

And don’t forget, two lucky fans will win two tickets to see Sheryl Crow at the Saroyan Theater.

Let’s keep it up! Like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California today!

Big Brothers Big Sisters estimates approximately 33,833 children and their families and as many volunteers could lose their mentoring service and support if House budget passes. More than 500 Big Brothers Big Sisters jobs would be in jeopardy.

Independent studies find children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters, those facing adversity –living in poverty, dealing with parental incarceration or growing up with one parent – disproportionately represent youths in the juvenile justice system. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mentoring is backed by independently proven youth outcomes – educational success; higher aspirations and improved confidence; and avoidance of risky, delinquent behaviors.

What You Can Do to Help

Here are some ways you can connect with your elected federal officials:

1. Attend a member-sponsored town hall meeting or other public function with a bunch of people who like you, care about Big Brothers Big Sisters.
2. Organize a group visit to the members’ office. Call to schedule an appointment with the member or if the member is unavailable, with the lead staff on children’s issues.
3. Make phone calls and send e-mails to your member’s office expressing your support of programs that fund Big Brothers Big Sisters and the children that we serve.

Share these facts:

• While Big Brothers Big Sisters agrees we as a nation must rein in spending, we also believe it makes no sense to cut programs that have such a large return on investment. Specifically, Big Brothers Big Sisters opposes a 45% reduction in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Mentoring Programs budget and the elimination of all funding for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program.
• Improving the odds now for children who face adversity through support of Big Brothers Big Sisters will have a tremendous positive return on our investment for future generations. Positive outcomes for children served will mean more high school graduates and fewer incarcerations; in other words with more tax payers instead of tax users.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters supports families, communities and schools by changing the life trajectory of children who face adversity by:
  • Increasing their opportunity to achieve in school
  • Helping them avoid risky/delinquent behaviors
  • Improving their aspirations/self-esteem

Note: Visit congress.org to obtain contact information for your Members of Congress

As of today, there is still no final word on whether or not our Mentoring Children of Prisoners funding will be terminated in October, but it doesn’t look good. This will have devastating effects on the number of children we will be able to serve. If you haven’t called your Congressman, Senator Feinstein or Senator Boxer, please do so immediately!  Time is almost out. A short call letting them know that you don’t want the funding cut is all it takes and could help children keep their mentor.  Need more information? Just contact me at bfrost@bigs.org. Thank you!