A lot has changed in our communities over the past week. From all of us at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area, we sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy through this unprecedented time.
As a nonprofit, specifically one whose core mission is to defend potential through one-to-one interactions, this crisis is pushing us to make difficult decisions. But Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area remains committed to serving and supporting the youth in our program, especially amid our Bay Area shelter in place orders.
Although our Big Brothers Big Sisters offices are closed, our staff continues to work remotely. Our mission is more critical than ever, and we will not lose sight of how programs like ours help combat mental health issues such as loneliness, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. We are checking in with our Bigs and Littles regularly and are providing support and resources on how they can stay connected and continue to build a trusting friendship during this time.
While we – like many nonprofits in the Bay Area and across the country – will be faced with tough decisions over the coming weeks and months, we are excited about the opportunity to craft new and innovative approaches. And when this is all over, with your help, we are going to bounce back stronger than ever. While we navigate expected and unexpected challenges, BBBSBA is committed to:
- Using generously donated funds responsibly to serve Bay Area children in need
- Engaging with and providing resources to our Littles and their families so that they may remain connected during this season of social distancing
- Keeping our staff available during regular office hours, working remotely and available via email and phone
- Encouraging our volunteers to continue to provide steady mentoring support for their Littles
In order to provide the best support we can, we’ve created a COVID-19 Resource page on our website. Please visit this site to learn how to talk to children about the virus, as well as to get information on where children may obtain free educational resources, breakfast, and lunch in the Bay Area. We will continue to update this information as more resources and ideas become available. Please contact us at resources@bbbsba.org with any additional ideas that may be useful to add and check back for more updates.
So many of you have reached out asking how you can help – please consider making a donation to ensure we can respond to the increased needs of Bay Area children that depend on us now more than ever. You can make your donation here.
While we can’t be sure what is to come, we can tell you that serving our community during this crisis is our highest priority. Please continue to check our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for updates.
We are grateful to be in community with you and wish you and your family safety and good health!
Sincerely,
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area Team
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