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Fun, General Info, Study Buddies

Study Buddies Serve Foster Families

October 23, 2023

Buddies from 2023, family members and friends worked together to fill darling handmade tote bags with birthday party supplies for families serving as resource (foster) families. We gathered under the ASB tent at Char’s house to sort, fill and decorate 26 tote bags for youngsters and teens in the tri-county area. Birthday bags will be delivered by case managers/social workers to bring cheer and encouragement to those sharing their homes with kids needing care.

After the bag filling project, volunteers were treated to lunch, fall crafts and games. The time went fast – too fast – as we celebrated serving others and reuniting with our friends from last years.

General Info, Study Buddies, Uncategorized, Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunity for Spring 2023

March 31, 2023

After School Buddies is in search of a couple of more female Big Buddy mentors to serve our group of 3rd grade girls for the spring term of Study Buddies. We’d love to find 1-2 adult women and 2 high school girls to join us on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30-5:00 until May 31st.

Study Buddies meets at Antioch Church across the street from Bend High School. The program includes lessons on social and emotional skill development, tutoring time for academic success and community and family outreach projects. Adult volunteers must pass a background check. The program meets upstairs so mobility is important.

To contact us click HERE OR contact Charlene Schulz, Director, at 541 390-3046 by text or phone or email her at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com.

General Info, Opportunities, Volunteer

It’s Getting Close! Enroll your Daughter in the Winter 2023 Term for ASB “Study Buddies”

December 28, 2022

ASB started the new program “Study Buddies” last spring after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. We are so happy to tell you that it’s back for 2023!! IT’S TIME TO ENROLL YOUR DAUGHTER NOW!

Study Buddies is a new FREE program offered by After School Buddies (ASB) for girls in grades 2-6 who need encouragement with academics, improved confidence and/or self-care. Study Buddies volunteers are committed to helping young girls socially, emotionally and academically become strong, resilient and confident young women. Each child enrolled will be partnered with mentors (“Big Buddies”) and will spend time with girls (“Little Buddies”) similar in age. Girls will be engaged in homework and academic skills support accompanied by time spent developing social and emotional skills through a variety of fun, interactive conversations and games. Community service projects will also be included!

PARENTS OF GIRLS GRADES 2-6…there are two sessions of Study Buddies on Wednesdays to choose between – either from 1-3 pm or 3-5 pm. We meet at Antioch Church across the street from Bend High School. The program is FREE!!! – just sign up your child and get her to the session weekly.

Programs sessions are limited to 6 “Little Buddies” in each session so don’t delay in reserving a spot for your child. Complete the linked Study Buddies Enrollment Form to enroll your child. We will contact you to confirm processing of your child’s application.

ADULTS AND TEEN LADIES: We are currently training new adult and teen ladies to serve as mentors/ tutors to girls grades 2-6 on Wednesday afternoons from January 25-March 8th. Our terrific experiences last spring encouraged us to reach even more young girls and provide them with new social/emotional skills and academic support blended with FUN activities and even community service projects.

Adults and college students – if you would like to join us to make a real difference in a younger girl’s life click HERE. High school ladies – we need you too! Click HERE and let us know you are interested in learning more!

For further information please contact – Char Schulz at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com
or TEXT or call Char at 541 390-3046.

Fun, General Info, Internship Opportunities, Volunteer

ASB “Study Buddies” is Back!

March 14, 2022

We are pleased to announce that ASB launched a new after school program entitled “Study Buddies” for girls in the foster care system in April 2022 . Offering after school tutoring/mentoring on Wednesday afternoons for girls “in care” (1st-10th grade) (and potentially their female foster family siblings) ASB volunteers provided help in reading, writing, math, art or other academic areas. In addition, the “Little Buddies” experienced the joy of having their own Big Buddy mentor(s) to help them improve self-confidence and resilience in a 2-hour weekly session held in Bend.

Elementary girls who are not in foster care also benefited from this FREE opportunity to improve self-confidence related to academic or social/emotional skills.

For more information text Char Schulz at 541 390-3046 or email her at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com.

Program Lessons, Staff, Stories

Former Big Buddy is Rocking It!

April 23, 2021

Lindsey Brown Kealy served as a Big Buddy for ASB more than 10 years ago working both with the Midtown Buddies program and later directing the Elk Meadow elementary program. Lindsey graduated from OSU Cascades with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Development and Family Sciences and then went on to earn her Masters of Arts in Teaching also from OSU Cascades. Her university work, as well as her experience teaching in public schools, helped her craft a curriculum, PAWSitive Choices, that integrates neuroscience, social and emotional learning, and problem solving into a program that helps children thrive. Lindsey is also the author of the PAWSitive Choices podcast.

PAWsitive Choices is a trauma-informed social and emotional learning curriculum that teaches children to make positive choices, solve problems collaboratively, learn from mistakes, and set goals. This system has the key components to help a classroom run smoothly: visual aids, problem solving, goal setting, data tracking, emotional regulation, and family communication. Teach students all these systems simply by reading Bear’s Amazing Brain, reference the easy-to-use implementation guide for support, and get families on board with the PAWsitive Choices Family Connections. The Home Edition of PAWsitive Choices helps students build and apply the social and emotional learning skills with their families.

We are looking forward to working more closely with Lindsey and putting her curriculum to work in various situations to improve the lives of students and families in Central Oregon. Already PAWSitive Choices has been put to work in 13 classrooms throughout the Bend Lapine School District.

Congratulations, Lindsey, on such a successful start to your company!

Fun, General Info

Merry Christmas from ASB!

December 9, 2020

Even though we can’t meet in person due to COVID restrictions – we still want you to know that we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very SAFE and HEALTHY NEW YEAR. Let’s all pray that 2021 will be SOOO much better for us in all kinds of ways. Hope to see you in person in the new year! (Note – this photo was taken in 2019 so we were not aware of COVID issues yet. )

Outreach

You Make a Difference!

September 27, 2020

A few dedicated Buddies and leaders gathered “under the camp tent” this week to create a special “work of art” for someone who was a real inspiration to them who works for our local school district. During this unbelievably challenging season ASB wants to encourage those involved in educating our youth to keep pressing on! We love you!

THRIVE!

Summer Celebration for a Thrive! Buddy

July 16, 2020

This week adult Thrive! leaders gathered under the ASB tent to honor and celebrate the life of Little Buddy, Tabi, who passed away suddenly in April after experiencing a seizure while napping. Tabi, loved by students and leaders alike, participated in Thrive! all through middle school. Her family was presented with a beautiful quilt made by 40 Thrive members including both student and adult contributors to honor her memory.

The tender time was also a celebration of Tabi’s brother Ethan’s 12th birthday. Ethan shared gifts with the group of something his family calls “Tabi Rocks“. In order to keep Tabi close at heart and mind – we were invited to special bring teal-colored rocks (teal was Tabi’s favorite color) to places where we want to remember her.

Charlene and others shared thoughts about Tabi’s time with ASB including how she served as a peer leader and encourager. We certainly miss her already and hope that her family has a deeper understanding of how special she was to many young and old!

Fun, Outreach

Spring Project for Seniors

April 27, 2020

Even though we can’t meet in person this spring, ASB girls are still sharing encouragement while sheltering at home.  Buddies made some adorable cards to be shared with seniors quarantined both locally and elsewhere. Living up to our theme of “loving others as we are loved” we hope that the cards will bring a smile to someone who needs it. Thanks to all who contributed!IMG_2389

General Info

ASB G.I.F.T Program Postponed

March 19, 2020

Due to school closures both across our city and state we have decided to postpone the initiation of the new G.I.F.T. Middle School baking program until fall. Watch this web page and our Instagram and Facebook pages for other impromptu ASB happenings throughout the coming months. Our hope is that we can find ways to serve our community while observing safe, healthy habits.