Toolkit & Resources
Beginning July 10, 2020, the BBBS of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors has voted to allow in-person match contact to resume! We are still encouraging virtual engagement, and want to make sure everyone is comfortable with in-person contacts. To that end, we have developed a In-Person Match Contact Policy. The policy must be signed (via the form) by both Parent/Guardian and Big before match outings:
We have also created a check-list for matches to review prior to each subsequent match outing, to ensure that these guidelines are front of mind during every visit. You can access that checklist here.
Thank you for all the ways you have stayed connected to each other! Please contact me at 216-280-6973 with any questions.
Stronger together,
Jessica Walters
President & CEO
BBBS of Greater Cleveland
Rely on regular phone calls and text messages, or video chats via FaceTime or WhatsApp to stay connected with your Little. Use this resource or this resource for great conversation starters for kids and check out this resource or this resource to get chatting with teens!
Messenger Kids (from Facebook) is a great way to safely connect with your Little via a social media platform, while keeping their parent looped in. Here's more on how it works.
Snail mail - still a thing! Write letters to your Little (become pen pals!), send postcards, a homemade card, pass along some print-at-home games (like these puzzles or these coloring pages), or send them a homemade craft (like these bracelets, or one of these quick/easy kids crafts)
STAY CONSISTENT! However you choose to connect, your consistency is more important to your Little now more than ever. Find days, times, and methods that work best for both of you, create a plan, set a schedule, and stick to it! This will make it easier on you both, while giving you each something to look forward to and depend on.
ASK QUESTIONS! It's no surprise that everyone's day-to-day schedule is experiencing incredible upheaval. Reaching out and chatting with your Little and their parent/guardian about when is best to reach out, what days and time are easiest, and how you can help are questions that will be enormously helpful for you (and your Little!) in staying connected.
Thank you for your commitment to helping a child in need during this challenging time. For children who are isolated, fearful and maybe just plain bored right now, your constancy and support can be the difference between regression and growth. Thank you.