A few dedicated Buddies and leaders gathered “under the camp tent” this week to create a special “work of art” for someone who was a real inspiration to them who works for our local school district. During this unbelievably challenging season ASB wants to encourage those involved in educating our youth to keep pressing on! We love you!
This week adult Thrive! leaders gathered under the ASB tent to honor and celebrate the life of Little Buddy, Tabi, who passed away suddenly in April after experiencing a seizure while napping. Tabi, loved by students and leaders alike, participated in Thrive! all through middle school. Her family was presented with a beautiful quilt made by 40 Thrive members including both student and adult contributors to honor her memory.
The tender time was also a celebration of Tabi’s brother Ethan’s 12th birthday. Ethan shared gifts with the group of something his family calls “Tabi Rocks“. In order to keep Tabi close at heart and mind – we were invited to special bring teal-colored rocks (teal was Tabi’s favorite color) to places where we want to remember her.
Charlene and others shared thoughts about Tabi’s time with ASB including how she served as a peer leader and encourager. We certainly miss her already and hope that her family has a deeper understanding of how special she was to many young and old!
Even though we can’t meet in person this spring, ASB girls are still sharing encouragement while sheltering at home. Buddies made some adorable cards to be shared with seniors quarantined both locally and elsewhere. Living up to our theme of “loving others as we are loved” we hope that the cards will bring a smile to someone who needs it. Thanks to all who contributed!
Due to school closures both across our city and state we have decided to postpone the initiation of the new G.I.F.T. Middle School baking program until fall. Watch this web page and our Instagram and Facebook pages for other impromptu ASB happenings throughout the coming months. Our hope is that we can find ways to serve our community while observing safe, healthy habits.
ASB is excited to announce that a brand new program will begin this April at High Desert Middle School in Bend. The program, entitled “ASB G.I.F.T”, is designed and led by OSU Cascades student Jamie Ruiz, a psychology major who is also pursuing a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. Jamie chose the name to describe the weekly baking and empowerment classes led by college and high school mentors. The acronym G.I.F.T. alludes to the experiences attendees will have as they prepare baked goods to be gifted to local charities… Growing, Inspiring, Forming Friendships, Team Building.
The program begins April 22 and runs through May 27th. It meets in the Foods classroom from 2-5 pm each week. Students are expected to check in to the Foods classroom just after school is dismissed. They will be accompanied by high school, college and adult mentors and will have the fun of baking all kinds of amazing treats.
Enrollment is limited to 12 middle school girls accepted on a first-come, first served basis. Because the class size is so small and FREE – we ask that enrollees plan to attend each and every week (unless they are ill). We anticipate providing an exemplary mentor-ship experience representative of the reputation that ASB has achieved over the past 17 years. Middle school girls (Buddies) will not want to miss this opportunity to learn new kitchen skills and spend time with new friends/mentors while being able to give to others.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the program.
To enroll your daughter – CLICK HERE. Enrollments will close as soon as 12 students have been accepted.
To add your child to the wait list – email Char at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com.
OSU Cascades and COCC students are invited to submit an application to serve as an ASB intern for spring term 2020. If you are motivated to create your own 1-term program and experience the joy of working with others interested in human services, early childhood education, after school programs, mentoring, counseling, STEM activities or more – email Charlene Schulz at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com to learn more. If you attend OSU – be sure to look for the job opportunity and application online with Handshake. Applications are due by early February so that selected interns can begin preparation for the spring programs.
A small stipend is available to assist in delivering an awesome opportunity to build your resume while possibly earning college credit. High school students or others who are not in college are also welcome to join in as mentors for the spring programs once they have been defined. Interns will be supervised by experienced ASB adult mentors and other professionals and gain practical experience with running life changing programs!
Just before Christmas ASB girls and leaders spent the afternoon sharing holiday cheer with patients, residents and staff at the Bend Transitional Care facility. The gathering featured 20 lovely singers touring the hallways and bringing joy to those who were not able to make it home for the holidays.
More than 60 participants prepared boxes of food and gifts for two foster families in Central Oregon. The generosity of the participants exceeded our expectations as numerous boxes were prepared to deliver to the families just before Thanksgiving. The van was full of goodies for the children and adults alike and made it to the homes before the snow made roads impassable the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We all experienced the joy of giving while acknowledging how much we were grateful for!
ENROLLMENTS FOR THIS EVENT HAVE CLOSED. We had a GREAT response!
If you have talked to Char previously but neglected to enroll – please email her at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com to see if anyone has cancelled.
There could be room for your child!
45 students led by more than 12 adults are expected to gather to prepare blessings for Central Oregon families. We are THANKFUL for your generosity to make this happen for all those involved – recipients as well as participants!
Calling ALL Buddies (girls/women ages 4th grader or higher) to attend an epic ASB get together and prepare a Thanksgiving basket for 2 local foster families. (Previous participation in ASB is not required.)
Crafts, food, games and more will make the afternoon a worthwhile and fun way to spend time with your Buddies and bless others too! And – attendees get to make/keep items to add to their own Thanksgiving celebration!
There is NO CHARGE to attend this event however attendees must enroll in advance and are invited to bring 1 item from the list below for the special family baskets.
We will collect donated items on the 25th and prepare gift boxes/basket. Items will be delivered to foster homes before Wed Nov 27th. We are hoping to provide “fixin’s” for Thanksgiving dinner and beyond for 4 -5 people in one family and 8 (including 6 small children) from a second.
Items for 18 month old boy
Items for 13 year old girl
And there is more! Blessed to be a Blessing!
The second family identified include the foster parents who have three biological kids (girl: 7, boy 4, boy 2), and are adopting a boy who is 4 . Additionally they also have two foster boys, ages 8 and 4. So – yes – three four year old boys along with their others! So if you have items that would be a blessing for this family – feel free to share them on the 25th!
Many are starting to ask – “When does ASB start their school year programs and where will they be held?” The simple answer for now is … we don’t know. With the changes made to the public school hours this fall – teens are no longer out of school earlier than the elementary students. With the hour + difference in release times – it makes it impossible for us to offer elementary programs as we have for the past 17 years. And the middle school students also are released an hour later than in the past so continuing the THRIVE! middle school program is also in question.
However, ASB leaders are meeting together and talking with other community members to determine if we can adjust to still provide leadership development and mentoring opportunities for Big Buddies (teens/college students). For example – offering programs for younger students and teens during school break/holiday weeks is a possibility. Also offering after school teen/college student only sessions (much like we do for camp) is a possibility. Thinking “out of the box” is important now – just as it was when we first started the THRIVE middle school ASB program in 2005.
SO – it’s a “wait, pray and see what God has in store ” time for us. If you have suggestions or ideas how we can serve the girls we have mentored for so many years – feel free to email Char at afterschoolbuddies@gmail.com. Keep checking this site as well as our Facebook and Instagram pages to see if anything new comes about.
