BBBS Washtenaw
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Trainings and Supports


Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County is committed to providing additional resources and training opportunities to our Bigs in order that they might be most successful in developing a relationship with and helping kids explore and find their potential.  There are a variety of websites that offer support, as well as online trainings that your Match Support Specialist can send to you that will help you further your relationship, learn more about a specific diagnosis or situation that your Little might be dealing with, or just give you that insight and boost that you need.  For additional information, please contact us at 734-975-0933.

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Race and Racism Resources
Resources
  • BEAM - Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
  • Anti-Racism Resources
  • Racism and Violence:  How to Help Kids Handle the News
  • Healing Gestures - as a support for those affected by trauma
  • Big Success - Race and Racism 
  • Big Success - Navigating Conversations
    about Unconscious Bias
​
Articles
  • ​How black Americans can practice self-care during these trying times.  And how everyone else can help.
  • How to Stay Woke and Protect Your Mental Health
  • Race Talk:  Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
As part of the United Way of Washtenaw County Equity Challenge,
​they have listed many ways to take action.
1. Use your voice. Our lived experiences are shaped by institutions and policies. Public policy advocacy is one way to shift the policies and institutional practices that keep problems in place. Click here to sign up to receive future action alerts from us!

2. Become an ally. Seek to understand what it feels like for another person or group to be oppressed, and despite knowing you will never fully understand how it feels, is committed to valuing and supporting people who are marginalized. Read the Do’s and Don’ts of Allyship and Guidelines for Being a Strong White Ally as you practice and evolve your role in supporting equity and inclusion.
3. Join a movement like the Racial & Economic Justice Task Force, attend a workshop like Poverty Simulation or Bystander Intervention, join a monthly book group discussion from our partners at the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (ICPJ) or take part in an event hosted by Showing Up for Racial Justice- Washtenaw.

4. Shift the way you talk about others. Creating equitable outcomes requires that we change the way we talk about members of our community, focusing on their aspirations rather than their challenges- this is called asset-framing. Learn more about how the Skillman Foundation is using asset-framing in their work with Detroit Children, and watch videos from Trabian Shorters, founder and CEO of BMe Community, discuss how to put asset-framing into practice. 

5. Engage in dialogue about race. Read Race Forward’s 10 Ways to Start a Conversation About Race to learn more about how to start a conversation with friends, at school, at work, and more. Then, sign up to attend an 8-week R.A.C.E Dialogue series to explore the topic of race with your neighbors and learn from each other’s lived experiences.

6. Lend a hand by volunteering in our community. Find an in-person or virtual volunteer opportunity or nonprofit service project that fits your schedule and interest at VolunteerWashtenaw.org and washtenaw.catchafire.org.

7. Engage in one or more of the actions published in 10 Ways to Fight for Social Justice During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

8. Do better. Many white people do not get involved in the work of racial justice because they do not know where to begin or how to use their voice to promote equity. Please read and challenge yourself to take a few of the actions in this article from Medium, "75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice".

It is going to take all of us to dismantle racism. Today, make the choice to use your voice in support of those who are rarely heard.
Other Resources

Prezi's

These are presentations compiled by BBBS staff/interns that will assist in your understanding of and gives tips and hints to successfully working with kids that:
  • Are on the Autism Spectrum
  • Have Experienced Violence
  • Are Experiencing Grief and Loss
  • Are Experiencing Poverty
  • Are Experiencing Homelessness
  • Are Depressed
  • Has Child Protective Service Involvement

​Other presentations include:
  • ​Mentoring Tips and Tricks
​

Online Trainings

BBBS Match Support Specialists can provide you with links to attend any of the following webinars.
  • A Path to Healthy Youth Development
  • About My Agency- Document
  • Achieving the vision: an overview of Big Brothers Big Sisters 
  • Boundaries
  • Building a Mentoring Relationship
  • Difficulties of Families in Transition
  • Interpersonal Communication: Listening Essentials
  • Leadership Essentials: Building your Influence as a Leader
  • Mentoring Adjuducated Youth
  • Mentoring Youth at Risk for Gang Involvement
  • Mentoring Youth with An Incarcerated Parent
  • Mentoring Youth in Foster Care
  • Talking about a Positive Future
  • Talking about Risky Behaviors
  • Thrive BIGS Introduction
  • Trail Guide for BIGS
  • Understanding Supports and Barriers.

Resources for Families

BBBS Match Support Specialists can help access information and services for families through the Washtenaw County Resource and Referral Guide.  Information within this Resource Guide includes agencies/programs that can assist with:
  • Addiction Recovery
  • Clothing
  • Dental Care
  • Emergency/Hotline/Numbers to Know
  • Employment
  • Eye Care
  • Finanancial Assistance/Tax Prep
  • Food and Meals
  • Household/Personal/Medications
  • Housing
  • Immigrant Assistant/Resouces
  • Laundry
  • Legal Services
  • LGBTQI Services
  • Medical Care
  • Mental Health/Case Management
  • Older Adult Services
  • Service Animals
  • Telephone/Utility Assistance
  • Transportation
  • Veteran Services
  • Washtenaw County Numbers
  • Youth and Family Services

Location: 
11 W. Michigan Ave
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

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Contact Us

Email

info@bbbswashtenaw.org

PHONE

734-975-0933

FAX

734-896-3953
  • Home
    • BBBS News
    • Board Page
  • Big
    • COVID 19 Resources for Bigs
    • Other Volunteer Opportunities
    • Activities for Matches
    • Double Your Impact
    • Business with a Heart
  • Little
    • Covid19 Resources for Families
    • Upcoming Events for Matches
  • Our Stories
    • Real Life Stories
    • From the Director
    • Resources
  • Give
    • Sponsorship Options
    • AdoptAFamily
    • Amazon Smile and Kroger Rewards
  • Events
    • Golf Fore Kids' Sake
    • A Fall Evening
    • The BIG Little Telethon
  • About Us
    • Staff Contacts
    • Board of Directors
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Partners
    • Help Source Records