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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.

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.

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. )

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

Fun, Opportunities, THRIVE!

Announcing New Program for High Desert MS Girls!

March 5, 2020

ASB is excited to announce that a brand new program will begin this April at High Desert Middle School in Bend. The program, entitled “ASB G.I.F.T”, is designed and led by OSU Cascades student Jamie Ruiz, a psychology major who is also pursuing a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences.  Jamie chose the name to describe the weekly baking and empowerment classes led by college and high school mentors. The acronym G.I.F.T. alludes to the experiences attendees will have as they prepare baked goods to be gifted to local charities… Growing, Inspiring, Forming Friendships, Team Building

The program begins April 22 and runs through May 27th.  It meets in the Foods classroom from 2-5 pm each week. Students are expected to check in to the Foods classroom just after school is dismissed. They will be accompanied by high school, college and adult mentors and will have the fun of baking all kinds of amazing treats.

Enrollment is limited to 12 middle school girls accepted on a first-come, first served basis. Because the class size is so small and FREE – we ask that enrollees plan to attend each and every week (unless they are ill). We anticipate providing an exemplary mentor-ship experience representative of the reputation that ASB has achieved over the past 17 years.  Middle school girls (Buddies) will not want to miss this opportunity to learn new kitchen skills and spend time with new friends/mentors while being able to give to others.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the program.

To enroll your daughter – CLICK HERE.  Enrollments will close as soon as 12 students have been accepted.

To add your child to the wait list – email Char at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com.

 

Fun, Outreach, Volunteer

Sharing Holiday Blessings

December 29, 2019

Just before Christmas ASB girls and leaders spent the afternoon sharing holiday cheer with patients, residents and staff at the Bend Transitional Care facility.  The gathering featured 20 lovely singers touring the hallways and bringing joy to those who were not able to make it home for the holidays.

Fun, Outreach

Thanksgiving Blessing Overwhelming Success!

December 2, 2019

More than 60 participants prepared boxes of food and gifts for two foster families in Central Oregon. The generosity of the participants exceeded our expectations as numerous boxes were prepared to deliver to the families just before Thanksgiving.  The van was full of goodies for the children and adults alike and made it to the homes before the snow made roads impassable the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  We all experienced the joy of giving while acknowledging how much we were grateful for!

 

Donations, Fun, Opportunities, Volunteer

Join Us for a Thanksgiving Get Together

October 31, 2019

ENROLLMENTS FOR THIS EVENT HAVE CLOSED.  We had a GREAT response!

If you have talked to Char previously but neglected to enroll  – please email her at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com to see if anyone has cancelled.
There could be room for your child!
45 students led by more than 12 adults are expected to gather to prepare blessings for Central Oregon families. We are THANKFUL for your generosity to make this happen for all those involved – recipients as well as participants!

Calling ALL Buddies (girls/women ages 4th grader or higher) to attend an epic ASB get together and prepare a Thanksgiving basket for 2 local foster families.  (Previous participation in ASB is not required.)

Crafts, food, games and more will make the afternoon a worthwhile and fun way to spend time with your Buddies and bless others too!  And – attendees get to make/keep items to add to their own Thanksgiving celebration!

candy corn turkey

There is NO CHARGE to attend this event however attendees must enroll in advance  and are invited to bring 1 item from the list below for the special family baskets.

  • When: Monday  – November 25 2:00-5:00 pm (no Bend Lapine school that day)
  • Where: Antioch Church offices Bend – The building is on the corner of 6th & Clay streets across from Bend High. Find us upstairs as you enter from the left door.

Suggested Items Needed

We will collect donated items on the 25th and prepare gift boxes/basket.  Items will be delivered to foster homes before Wed Nov 27th.  We are hoping to provide “fixin’s” for Thanksgiving dinner and beyond for 4 -5 people in one family and 8 (including 6 small children) from a second.

  • Turkey
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Butter
  • Fresh veggies
  • Pumpkin pie
  • Green beans
  • Mushroom soup mix
  • French fried onions for green beans
  • Other desserts
  • Juice
  • Rolls/bread
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Stuffing mix
  • Jelly or jam
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Specialty teas
  • Coffee
  • Thanksgiving paper plates, napkins or decor

Items for 18 month old boy

  • T shirts size 3T
  • Pajamas size 3T
  • Huggies diapers – size 5 (foster mom says this brand avoids skin irritation)
  • Diaper wipes
  • Sweater or jacket 3T
  • Socks
  • Baby bath towel
  • Bath supplies
  • Toys appropriate for toddler – “board” books, small trucks (avoid items with small pieces that could be swallowed if eaten), blocks, puzzles, super heroes, farm animals, dinosaurs, small ball, stack-able cups

Items for 13 year old girl

  • Favorite colors are teal blue and pomegranate
  • Stuffed animals
  • Sports things – she LOVES basketball
  • Age appropriate magazine or book
  • Craft supplies
  • Other holiday-related items

And there is more! Blessed to be a Blessing!

The second family identified include the foster parents who have three biological kids (girl: 7, boy 4, boy 2), and are adopting a boy who is 4 . Additionally they also have two foster boys, ages 8 and 4.  So – yes – three four year old boys along with their others! So if you have items that would be a blessing for this family – feel free to share them on the 25th!

Camp, Donations, Fun

2019 ASB Camp was A-MAZING!!

September 20, 2019

This year’s camp exceeded all expectations. With 87 campers and adult leaders supported by an additional 13 + volunteers… camp was truly the biggest and best ASB camp ever. The 2019 theme “Stars of the Decades” was played out by teams sharing cultural, social, scientific and spiritual themes of the 1920s, 1950s, 1960s and 1990s. Boy did we have fun teaching each other about what was important in those decades.

During our last week of leadership training and preparations we were surprised by a very generous donation from Hayden Homes as part of their First Story grant project.

Not only did they bless us with money to pay for camp supplies and food but members of their marketing team from all over the northwest spent an afternoon helping us prepare decorations. They were AWESOME helpers!

Additional donors from our business community included the following companies listed below. We are continually grateful for the support that local businesses give to our organization.

Trader Joes
Market of Choice
Newport Market
Smart Foodservice
Food for Less
Little Caesar’s Pizza

Camp, Fun, Opportunities, Volunteer

Summer Camp Registration Open!

April 29, 2019

The 2019 ASB Summer camp is now open for registration. Girls who have completed 4th grade or older are invited to join us for what could be the best time of your entire summer. August 5-8th are the dates for the 2019 FREE summer camp entitled “Strong Girls are STARS!” We have spent the past 2 years of our after school programs helping girls discover how strong they really are. Now it’s time to SHINE and celebrate that awesomeness by participating in our 14th summer day camp!

Want to learn more? Click the link to check out our Youtube video all about camp.

Are you available to help us as a volunteer counselor (Big Buddy) or adult advisor? If so – we want to hear from you! Contact us at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com to find out how you can contribute.

To register your daughter as a Little Buddy camper (completed grades 4th-8th grade) go to the Summer Camp 2019 menu and click on the Enroll Click Here link.