LET'S PLAY BINGO!

Matches can explore the BBBS Little Big Virtual Academy by playing BINGO! Just go to our website Little Big Virtual Academy and complete the activities listed in the squares on the card below. It's a fun way to discover all the virtual activities and resources Little Big Virtual Academy has to offer!
Ice Skating: Spend some time outside on the ice. Try out any one of the areas several outdoor ice rinks. Don't forget a thermos of hot chocolate! Click here for a list of ice skating rinks.
Sledding: When the flakes fly, it’s time to head to the hill! Check out these local sledding hills for a full day of fun in the snow. It's a great way to enjoy the snow. Click here for a list of sledding hills.
JANUARY 13TH IS MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE DAY!

Make Your Dream Come True Day gives you the opportunity to do something to realize your goals and dreams. Whatever your dreams are, they usually don't come true without some effort on your part. So, today is the perfect opportunity get off the sofa, and do something about it.

On this dreamy day do something, anything, to move in the direction of achieving your dreams. Sure, sometimes it takes several steps to accomplish them. So view today as a time to get started on them. With a little effort, they will come true! Click here for steps on how to get started.

Favorite Song of Dreamers: Somewhere over the Rainbow and If I had a Million Dollars

Quote for Today: " If you can dream it, you can do it." - - Walt Disney
Great news - the 2021 Live Más Scholarship application period is now open! 
This year, we’re giving away more than $7.5 million in scholarships to fund the educational goals of students passionate about creating a better world for all. 

Whether you’re planning on attending a 4-year university, community college or a 2-year vocational school, this scholarship is for you! To apply, simply create a 2-minute video that tells us what your passion is and how you’ll use it to make a difference—no grades, essays or test scores required! 

Check out these helpful tips and program details and apply before January 20, 2021 at 5:00 PM PST. 

APPLY NOW

If selected as a recipient, you’ll join a community of passionate scholars who are driven to use their passion to ignite change in their communities and beyond. You’ll also receive access to unique opportunities and connections to help you impact the world. 

We can’t wait to hear from you! 
Taco Bell Foundation 
Scholarship Opportunity for Female High School Seniors

KPMG Future Leaders Program Application Deadline is February 1, 2020Through their Future Leaders Program, KPMG will award scholarships to 22 female, high school seniors. Click here for application link.
Scholarship recipients will receive:
• A scholarship of $10,000 per year for four years of college

• A pairing with an executive woman mentor for one year

• A KPMG Future Leaders Retreat that will focus on leadership training, career development, and the college transition.
Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2021Winners will be selected and notified by April 15, 2021.
2020-21 OPTIMIST ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
“Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”
(sponsored by the Central MN Noon Optimist Club)

The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19, with the opportunity for local prizes, and a district scholarship. We will be providing the following prizes locally: 
  • 1st place $250
  • 2nd place: $150
  • 3rd place:$100

Our local contest winner will also be entered into an area essay contest (the Dakotas, Manitoba, Minnesota District of Optimist International) where the first-place prize is a $2,500 scholarship. Last year, there were only 19 contestants at that level. 

 The contest entry deadline is February 10, 2021.

Please click here for application. For questions and submitting applications please contact Aimee Minnerath AMinnerath@BGCMN.org. Paper copies can be mailed to:
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central MN
Attention: Aimee Minnerath
345 30th Ave N
Saint Cloud, MN 56303
LITTLE BIG VIRTUAL ACADEMY
The purpose of the Little Big Virtual Academy is to keep Littles and Bigs connected during times of physically distancing. When matches might not be able meet in-person, they can continue to communicate and interact via phone and computer. The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota team has compiled a list of fun and interactive activities and resources for Littles and Bigs to do together- click here to link to the website!
The storming of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday was a shocking attack on an essential part of our democracy -- the peaceful transition of power from one president to the next. As Congress met to certify the 2020 electoral college vote, a protest outside the Capitol turned violent as the crowd unlawfully entered the building and temporarily disrupted the voting process.

While we adults continue to process the events from yesterday, kids are also trying to make sense of what they’re seeing and hearing in the news and on social media. To help, we’ve put together some age-appropriate questions and conversation starters that adults can use to navigate this tricky topic with the kids in their lives.

We hope these tools help you provide the care, comfort, and answers our kids and teens need during these challenging and unpredictable times. View article

More resources for helping kids understand the news:
 
AROUND CLOUD TUTORS - LAUNCHING JANUARY 11!

Do you have a child or student who would benefit from a free tutor session from a trained tutor? The pandemic has taken a toll on students who are navigating distance learning but also parents and guardians who are working from home while also figuring out the distance learning world alongside their students.
On January 11, Around Cloud Tutors, the area's newest free and digital tutoring platform will launch. Be sure to keep an eye out for further details, including how you can sign your student up for K-12 tutoring. Around Cloud Tutors is a community collaborative of United Way of Central Minnesota, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University, St. Cloud State University, and St. Cloud Technical and Community College. GSDC provides platform support for this community initiative. Click here for link to website.
BEING ANTIRACIST

To create an equal society, we must commit to making unbiased choices and being antiracist in all aspects of our lives. Here is a resource from the National Museum of African American Culture and History titled “Talking about Race”. This resource includes and highlights a variety of resources on topics such as bias, whiteness, becoming anti-racist, social identities and systems of oppression, historical foundations of race, community building, and more. Click here to for link to resource.
CAMP-IN-A-BOX ACTIVITIES FOR MINNESOTA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FAMILIES

APRIL: MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD T-SHIRTS

Month of the Military Child T-shirts are available to purchase.

You can order your shirts Jan 7-March 16. Shirts will not be available after the March 16th deadline. The shirts are $20 (shipping included) and will be sent directly to your house. Link to order shirts:


POC: Laura Groeneweg, Lead Child and Youth Coordinator at (o) 651.268.8695,
(c) 651.242.6938
PROGRAM STAFF CONTACT INFO
Please contact our staff if you have any questions regarding matches.

Ann Matvick, Program Director  
Ann@BigDefenders.org 320.258.4517
  
Jamie Lodermeier, Program Coordinator
Jamie@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4532
 
Kayla Meyer, Program Coordinator 
Kayla@BigDefenders.org 320.241.7996
 
Mary Bellefeuille, Lead Program Coordinator 
Mary@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4538
 
Rebecca Fonss, Program Coordinator  
Rebecca@BigDefenders.org 320.258.4519
 
Robyn Rieland, Program Coordinator 
Robyn@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4512

Tasha Bruns-Notsch, Lead Enrollment Coordinator  
Tasha@BigDefenders.org  320.258.4516
Hey BIGS!! Do you know someone who would be a great mentor to a child in our community? Use the above Big Nomination graphic by sending it to them. You could message it, text it, print and hand deliver, or post it on their social media. Let them KNOW that you could see them as a BIG! We are now holding Info Sessions online via Zoom- let's create a waiting list of Bigs!
Listed below are several community resources.

NEW! CLC Free Store: Meal, Cleaning, and Personal Care Kits are available. If your family is in need for one or all of these kits. There is no qualification required. Please contact us at by phone: 320-255-0488 ext 109 or email: CLCstore@celebrationlutheranchuch.com. Clink here for link to website.

CARE Free Food Distribution - COVID Food Assistance Program open to all households that are in need! Each household will receive Meat, Milk and Dry Goods. January 21st 11:00am - 1:00pm or while boxes last. CARE Parking Lot 321 6th Ave Foley, MN 56329. Please stay in your vehicle. Phone: 320-968-7848 or email: info@CAREelders.org

Metro Bus Training - Join Metro Bus Wednesdays at 11:15 AM for free, online travel training. No registration required! Learn How to: Read route maps and schedules, Plan your trip, Use the new fare system….And more!
Call in or join from your computer or mobile device: https://bit.ly/31siJuN

Heating Assistance Available - The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. If you or someone you know could use funding for their heating bill. Click here for link to website.

Crisis Text Line - Text MN741741 is Minnesota’s suicide prevention and mental health crisis texting service now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People who text MN to 741741 will be connected to Crisis Text Line. For callers who are the most in distress, average wait times for a response is only 39 seconds. Click here for link to website.

Job Search, Application and Resume Assistance - Career Solutions staff are at the St. Cloud Great River Regional Library Computer Lab from 2:30-4:30pm M-F. They are there temporarily until Career Solutions opens. Career Solutions staff are available to assist with Writing Resumes & Cover Letters, Resume Review, Online & Paper Job Applications, Employer Research, Interview Coaching, Job Search Websites, Community Resources, Labor Market Information, Employment & Training Programs and Job Search Workshop Referrals. Click here for more information on services.

MN Warm Line Peer Support Connection - WHO TO CALL. Lists numbers to call for questions related to COVID-19, mental health concerns or just to talk. Click here for Who To Call Phone Numbers List.

Food Relief Bags - Catholic Charities Emergency Services continues to provide access to food to those in need. Food relief bags will be available for pick-up at the locations below.

Closures and Cancellations - Many state and local government offices are restricting their office hours. Click here for more information.

Metro Bus - All Routes running normally. Click here for more information.

United Way 2-1-1 Resource Hotline - United Way is encouraging anyone who may be in need of assistance accessing food, or any other essential service, to dial 2-1-1 or text MNCOVID to 898-211. Click here for more information.

Local Business Information - Many businesses are closed or have reduced their hours. Some stores and restaurants are offering curbside pick up or delivery. Click here for more information.

Great River Library - The library is now open with limited hours and curbside pick up. Information on returning books, overdue books, registering for a library card and more! Click here for more information.

Local Information and Resources - Links to business, health and entertainment resources Visit Greater St. Cloud website.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN | 320-253-1616 | BigDefenders.org