Resources

Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month! Hispanic Heritage Month occurs annually from September 15 through October 15, offering an opportunity for Bigs, Littles, and families to explore the beauty of the Hispanic culture together. 

National Hispanic Heritage Month seeks to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay encourages our Matches to learn about Hispanic cultures in various ways, such as cooking a Latine dish, reading a book that celebrates Hispanic heritage, or creating fun crafts together. Check out these ideas and activities you can do with a child in your life! 

1. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Home: scholastic.com 

2. 8 Kid-Friendly Hispanic Heritage Month Recipes: inspiredbyfamilymag.com

3. Latin American Crafts for Kids to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: growingupbilingual.com 

4. 15 Picture Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage for Kids: readbrightly.com 

5. 9 Fun Activities to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: extendednotes.com

6. Hispanic Heritage Month History Video: Youtube.com 

7. Hispanic Heritage Month- Poetry for Teens: colorincolorado.org

8. Hispanic Heritage Month- Song and Dance for Younger Littles: beccasmusicroom.com 

9. Additional Resources: elcentronc.org 

Want to ignite the potential of a child in your community? Become a mentor or Big, and be a positive role model and friend to a kid who needs one.

Domestic violence, parental neglect or mental illness, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse are all examples of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). Unfortunately, 45% of kids in America will endure exposure to one ACE before they turn 18. Alarmingly, one out of ten has experienced multiple ACEs.

Household dysfunction can have long-term effects on children, especially if no one is there to help them heal from the after-effects of trauma. ACEs are linked to anxiety, depression, chronic pain, diabetes, liver disease, and stroke. Experiencing multiple ACEs can lead to toxic stress and subsequently long-term damage to the brain and body.

That’s why Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay offers training to its volunteers and parents so they can familiarize themselves with the effects of ACEs.

Part of the strategy to building resilience in a child is providing a formal mentoring relationship. Harvard studies show that positive relationships with a parent or caregiver can help buffer a child from the effects of stress. (And the BBBS program model tracks the outcomes of the mentees in our programs.)

Want to show support but are afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing? Remember the acronym CLICC, representing the five supportive gestures: Celebrate, Listen, Inspire, Comfort, Collaborate.

Learn more about healing gestures to affirm children’s experiences here.

Become a Big and be a positive, supportive mentor for a child in our community. Join us for one of our upcoming Virtual Big Orientation & Training info sessions. View our schedule.

Additional Resources

How To Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Harvard Infographic and FAQ Guide

Toxic Stress and its Effects on Brain Development

CDC Fast Facts

Neglect and the Early Years of Life (Video)

CDC-Kaiser ACE Study

Now that school is out, kids spend more time in front of their phones and computer screens. Our youth have grown up with the internet and various kinds of technology, but it’s still crucial to remind them about online risks and how to avoid or report unsafe behavior.

Talk to kids about online safety issues, such as inappropriate websites to avoid, malware, fraud, phishing scams, and sexual predators. Keep an open dialogue with your kids about their safety and what they are doing on the computer and smartphone.

Set clear rules about internet and phone usage. Some examples are:

• • Do not give out personal information. Avoid using birthdates, legal name or other identifiers in handles
  • Do not post your photo on public sites.
  • Do not open emails, texts, or DMs from someone you don’t know. If they claim to know you but the message seems strange, show it to a trusted adult.
  • Always report inappropriate messages to a trusted adult
  • Ignore or delete hurtful, insulting, or bullying messages and comments
  • Never agree to meet up with someone you’ve only chatted with online
  • Set time limits for being on the computer

Other guidelines for improved internet safety include:

• Keep kids’ computers in a common area to monitor activity
• Check your child’s browser history
• Activate privacy features within the internet browser and all devices
• Know your children’s passwords and change them regularly. Again, avoid using birthdates or easily guessed information.
• Watch for changes in behavior that may indicate cyberbullying or contact with an online sexual predator.
• Monitor chats within live streams on Twitch, YouTube, and gaming platforms

Technology has enhanced the way we learn and communicate, but we also have to adapt the way we keep our kids safe while online. We’ve included some online safety tips below:

CDC: Information on Safety in the Home & Community

Child Safety Tips & Resources

Internet Safety for Kids

June is LGBTQ Pride Month! BBBSTB is proud to be an inclusive and diverse organization supporting the LGBTQ community. If your Little comes out to you during your match, it’s very important to support and care for them through their journey. First, learn what coming out means. “Coming Out” is a commonly used phrase we hear when describing an individual’s LGBTQ journey. “Coming Out” refers to the process an LGBTQ person goes through as they work to understand and accept their sexual orientation or gender identity — and share that identity openly with other people. Someone who is coming out might not ever come out to certain family members or individuals, and it’s critical to always respect this choice.

Below are some helpful tips on how you can respond as a good Ally:

Acknowledge your own feelings (internally!)
Thank them for disclosing to you.
Reinforce that you are trustworthy (acknowledge the risk they are taking by confiding in you.)
Tell them that you care about them.
Ask what you can do to support them.
Ask who else knows.
Keep it private and confidential.
If you are unsure of how to respond, simply say, “Thank you for sharing this with me. This is new to me but I care about you and I will continue to be here for you.”

You don’t have to have all the answers if your Little discloses being LGBTQ, just make sure they walk away feeling like they made the right decision by coming out to you. Click here for some important information and resources for LGBTQ+ Youth and Friends/Supporters.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay supports diversity. We support the LGBTQ community and encourage volunteers from all walks of life to apply as a mentor for youth in our community. Do you want to learn how to become a Big? Attend our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

Do you need some ideas for things to talk to your Little about? Check out our June Conversation Starters to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests. 

LGBTQ Pride Month: Remind your Littles that BBBS is inclusive and welcoming of all people. Do you or your Little know anyone who identifies as LGBTQ? What challenges have they had in their lives? What can you or your Little do to help support an LGBTQ person who may be struggling? 

National Candy Month: Invent a new kind of candy. Draw a picture of what it would look like. Come up with a crazy flavor together. Chocolate-covered Skittles, maybe?

National Fresh Fruit and Veggie Month: What are your favorite fruits and veggies? What are your favorite recipes or favorite ways of eating them? Check out this list of lesser-known fruits and veggies. Which would you choose to try? 

June 1st is Say Something Nice Day: What was the last compliment you received? What was the last compliment you gave? Here are 7 reasons why you should pay a compliment to someone every day. 

 June 4th is National Cheese Day and National Donut Day: If you had to eliminate cheese or donuts, which would go? What is your favorite kind of donut? What is your favorite type of cheese? What kind of crazy donut would your make?

June 8th is National Best Friends Day: Who is your best friend? How did you and your best friend meet? How long have you known your best friend? Who was your best friend when you were a kid? Why is it important to have a best friend?

June 14th is Flag Day: Learn about flag day. Try this Flags of the World Game. If you had your own flag for your family/neighborhood/ community, what would it look like? Draw a picture of your flag.

June 18th is National Picnic Day: What is your idea of the ultimate picnic? Fresh seafood on a mountain? Dessert buffet in a treehouse? Gourmet hot dogs at the top of the Statue of Liberty? Be creative! 

June 19th is Juneteenth: Do you or your Little Celebrate Juneteenth? If so, how? Check out this video. 

June 20th is Father’s Day: Do you or your Little celebrate Father’s Day? What traditions do you have? If you had all the money in the world, what would you do for your dad (or father figure) to show him that he is special? 

June 21st is World Day of Music: Listen to some music samples from around the world and discuss. Check out these exciting instruments from around the world. 

June 23rd is National Hydration Day: Do a water drinking challenge. Can your Little drink 6 glasses of water in the day? Here are some facts about drinking water. 

June 27th is Helen Keller Day: Learn about Helen Keller together. Here are 8 incredible facts about Helen Keller.

June 30th is Social Media Day: How much time do you/your Little spend on Social Media every day? Every week? Discuss internet safety. Challenge your Little to cut out an hour of social media a day or week and do something creative or read instead.

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a Big? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.

The news is increasingly positive about our fight against the COVID-19 virus here in the United States. More than half of all U.S. adults are now fully vaccinated (i.e., 130 million people), with another 70 million already in the process of being vaccinated. In addition, 5 million adolescents who are 12 years of age or older have already received at least one shot.   

Can we say we are winning yet? Well, we have clearly already won some major battles, but the war is not yet won. Accordingly, the fight continues! President Biden has set a national goal of 70% of the adult population being vaccinated with at least one shot by the 4th of July, as our next big goal in this war.    

I am reaching out today to all our Big Brother Big Sister volunteers to strongly encourage each of you to get vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus at your earliest convenience if you have not done so already. These vaccinations are free of charge and now readily available at many Publix, CVS, and Walgreen pharmacies, among other locations. 

While this is a personal decision that each of you must make, I want to remind you that getting vaccinated is not just for your own safety but also for the safety of the children & families we serve as well as the safety of our agency staff and the overall community.  

While we are finally gaining significant ground against this terrible virus, we have seen it reappear time and again in different locations here in the U.S. and across the world. We have also seen new variants of this virus develop that are much more contagious than the original form of this virus, the most recent of which is from India, where the virus is currently out of control.  

In this country, the virus has impacted our communities of color worse than almost any other. Well over 70% of the children we currently serve are members of one of these communities. Accordingly, we all must do all we can to keep all our children and youth as well as their families as safe as possible by getting vaccinated. This is also consistent with our efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas, including public health.  

The children and youth we have the privilege of serving have been entrusted to us by their parents or legal guardians. It is our duty to do all we can to protect the safety and well-being of all these children and youth and to position ourselves as best we can to improve their lives by helping them all achieve positive outcomes in the months and years ahead.

The pandemic has cost us all very much, personally, as a community, and as a nation. We are increasingly close to having this virus under control in this country. You getting vaccinated as well will greatly help with this effort and lead to the eventual elimination of COVID-19.  

If for some medical or other reason you are unable or are otherwise unwilling to get vaccinated, we ask that you please continue always to wear your mask while with your Little, practice social distancing, and other practices recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Whether vaccinated or not, the CDC website provides up-to-date advice for when you need to wear your mask still and when you can remove it. See the CDC link below in my ‘P.S.’ for lots of good information about this, which is updated periodically. 

Please reach out to your Match Support Specialist at our agency if you have any questions regarding the above or have other ideas/suggestions on how to keep everyone safe!

I and everyone at our agency deeply appreciate all that you do very, very much.  

All my best, 

Stephen A. Koch

President & CEO

P.S. For information about the vaccines available as well as where to get a vaccine, please visit the CDC website.  

Note: Children under 12 are still not eligible to get vaccinated. We need to look out for all our children and youth as best we can until they are all safely vaccinated.

Every May we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with your Little. We hope these biographies and activity suggestions will inspire you and your Little to recognize and honor the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the culture and achievements of the United States.

Why Do We Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

The United States first acknowledged Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage during the first 10 days of May to commemorate two milestones: when the first Japanese immigrants arrived May 7, 1843, and when the transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869. The transcontinental railway was built predominately by Chinese workers. It took more than a decade of legislating across multiple administrations to have the entire month of May designated as Asian American Pacific and Islander Heritage Month in 1992.

To celebrate this month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay wanted to share the stories of strong Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have impacted America’s history and have inspired others along the way

Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative

Chinese American Katherine Tai, former House Ways and Means Committee trade lawyer, is now the new U.S. trade representative. The Office of the United States Trade Representative is part of the President’s Executive Office, and Tai is the first Asian American and first woman of color to serve in the position. Tai will advise the president on trade issues and oversee international negotiations and dispute resolutions. The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Tai to fill the role. 

Fred Korematsu, Civil Rights Activist

Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was arrested for refusing to evacuate to an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II. He was represented by two lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), but his case challenging the decree failed at the Supreme Court. However, almost 40 years later, it was discovered that the government intentionally hid evidence from the court. This documentation eventually led to the dismissal of the charges. His daughter, Karen Korematsu, now runs a foundation that aims to share his story through the development of educational materials designed for multiple grade levels.

Sunita Williams, Astronaut

Sunita Williams is an Indian American astronaut. Williams holds numerous records and has received more than a dozen awards for her service. She has spent a total of 322 days in space across the span of two missions, placing her second on the U.S. endurance list for women and ranking sixth on the all-time U.S. endurance list. Her awards and honors include two Defense Superior Service medals, Legion of Merit, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, an honorary doctorate, and other service awards. She was chosen as a crew member for commercial flights with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and is currently training for the post-certification mission.

Amy Tan, Author

Many of us know the prolific works of Chinese American author Amy Tan, particularly her novel Joy Luck Club, which was later made into a movie produced by Wayne Wang. She continued to pen several best-selling books, paving the way for the next generation of Asian American artists and writers. One notable Asian American with acclaimed commercial success is Singaporean American author Kevin Kwan, who wrote the novel Crazy Rich Asians and served as executive producer for the movie of the same name. Oscar-winning Minari is a recent movie masterpiece from Korean American Lee Isaac Chung.

Find out how you can become a mentor and influence the next generation of leaders by becoming a Big. 

Match Activities

MOVIES TO WATCH:

• The Namesake
• The Farewell
• Moana
• Kubo and the Two Strings
• Princess Kaiulani

EASY RECIPES TO MAKE TOGETHER:

• Eggroll Recipe
• Ramen Recipe
• Naan Recipe
• Poke Bowl Recipe 

BOOKS TO READ:

• Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen.  Meet 18 Asian Pacific American leaders from yesterday and today! From musician Bruno Mars and Olympian Chloe Kim to chef Niki Nakayama, these real­life heroes inspire us to learn about Asian Pacific American history, language, and culture. Illustrated with photos.
• A Different Pond by Bao Phi.  This beautiful story about Vietnamese culture from the perspective of two generations is a heartwarming tale paired with expert illustrations.
• We Are Inspiring: The Stories of 32 Inspirational Asian American Women by Angel Trazo.  A collection of inspirational stories about Asian American women from all walks of life, different ethnicities, and professions, your child will learn about the colorful and amazing Asian American women who have impacted our world today.

Check out this awesome list of books exploring Asian and Pacific Islander American heritage for all ages!

Do you need some ideas for things to talk to your Little about? Check out our May Conversation Starters to help you and your Little learn about new topics and discover new hobbies and interests. 

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Learn more about the history, contributions, and global impact of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with your Little. 

National Bike Month – Does your Little know how to ride a bike? When did they learn? How often do they ride? Discuss Bike Safety. Research the Tour De France and famous cyclists. 

National Photograph Month – Try a Picture Scavenger Hunt. You and your Little come up with a list of things to take photos of and share via Video Chat or email. Your list might include: An Animal, A Person, A Plant, An Action Shot, a Fruit or Veggie, A Selfie, A Building, Something from the Kitchen, Something that has a shadow, something that has texture, etc. 

National Salad Month – Do a salad challenge: Can your Little eat 5 Salads in May? What are your favorite kinds of salads? Does Fruit Salad count as a salad? How about Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad?

May 1st is May Day – Research May Day together. Do you or your Little celebrate this holiday? Is it a Holiday we should celebrate more? 

May 2nd is National Fitness Day – Why is fitness so important? What do you do to stay fit? Brainstorm some fun ways to stay fit physically, emotionally, and mentally.  

May 5th is Cinco De Mayo – Do you or your Little celebrate Cinco de Mayo? What do you do to celebrate? Check out this video from PBS Kids. 

May 5th is National Teacher’s Day – Why are teachers so important? If you were a teacher, what would you teach? Do teachers get enough appreciation for all that they do? Why or Why not?

May 7th is World Athletics Day – What is your favorite sport to play and to watch? Check out this article from Sports Retriever about unique sports that you probably haven’t heard of. 

May 9th is Mother’s Day – Do you or your Little celebrate Mother’s Day? What traditions do you have? If you had all the money in the world, what would you do for your mom to show her that she is special?

May 11th is National Technology Day – Make a list of available technology today that wasn’t available when Big was young. Make another list of technology that wasn’t available when someone in their 40s, 60s, 80s was a kid. What piece of technology do you think you could live without if you had to?

May 15th is National Endangered Species Day – Research some of the critically endangered species on the World Wild Life list. Why do animals become endangered? What can people do to keep animals from going extinct?

May 23rd is World Turtle Day – Check out these turtle facts from Petco. Would you consider a turtle for a pet? How many different kinds of turtles are there? 

May 26th is Sally Ride Day – Learn about Sally Ride together from Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. Would you like to be the first at something? Would you travel to space?

May 31st is Memorial Day – Why is Memorial Day important? Watch this video from Homeschool Pop to learn more facts about Memorial Day. 

Do you want to learn what it takes to become a Big? Learn more at our Big Orientation & Training info session. View the schedule.