COVID-19 RESPONSE & UPDATES

From all of us at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota, we sincerely hope that you and your family are safe and healthy through this unprecedented time.

Now, perhaps more than ever, the mission and the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters is evident and urgent.  We still need your support to continue to offer our life changing program to youth in our communities.  We know that together, we are defenders of potential.  We are here to stand with the youth and empower them.  Every day brings new changes and challenges, and we are confident that we will get through this.

We continue to check in with our Bigs and Littles on a regular basis and provide the support and resources to help them stay connected and continue to build their relationship.  We are also providing resources to the families to help during this time of crisis. We are closely monitoring the situation will continue to provide updates.

Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for believing in the kids we serve. And thank you for standing beside us now as we face the challenges ahead.

Stay healthy and safe,

Michelle Redman
Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota

 

BIGS, LITTLES, AND FAMILIES

We want to thank you for your flexibility and commitment to your match during these past few months.  As you know, this has been a very difficult time for all of us, and we are doing our best to navigate this unprecedented time.

It’s getting colder and unfortunately the COVID-19 cases continue to increase.  The Governor released new recommendations and restrictions on 11/18/2020, and Big Brothers Big Sisters suggests that Bigs and Littles’ parents/guardians reevaluate if meeting virtually or in-person is right for them.  We know how important our Bigs are to our Littles and our Littles are to our Bigs, so this is a very tough situation. Please reconsider in-person meetings beginning tomorrow.  Stay in contact with each other via phone calls, text, emails, video chats and letters. If matches decide to meet in-person, please consider the following:

  • Will meeting in-person greatly benefit the child’s mental health, outweighing the potential risk?
  • Are all match parties confident that they are healthy and haven’t been in contact with someone that potentially has COVID-19?
  • When meeting, continue to follow masking and distancing guidelines.

For virtual activity options, please explore the Virtual Academy and the Match Activities pages on our website.

Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any questions.

 

NEW BIGS

We continue to actively recruit new Bigs. Potential new volunteers should inquire online—the first step in becoming a Big. We are also hosting Virtual Info Sessions to ask questions and jump-start our enrollment process. Volunteer interviews and match introductions are following all CDC and government guidelines. We have over 250 Littles waiting for a Big in our community right now.

  • Click here to inquire, the first step in becoming a Big.
  • Click here to sign up for an Info Session. 

 

STAFF

Our in-office ours are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm. Our staff is working remotely Wednesdays and Fridays. Match Support Specialists remain our go-to resources for all Bigs and Littles. As always, contact your MSS at any time with questions or concerns.