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The Buddy Program strengthens our community by guiding and inspiring youth through mentoring. |
BuddyProgramNewsletter
April 2009 Issue |
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Buddy Program Waitlist
Name: Cristian
Age: 11
Grade: 6th
Favorite part about school: Music class; I play the tuba.
Favorite food: Pizza.
Favorite thing to do: Arcade, Bowling, Computers, Video Games, Concerts and Soccer.
"I want a Big Buddy because I want someone to be able to do different activities with."
While kids are on The Buddy Program's wait-list, they are still able to access our counseling services as well as scholarships for extra-curricular activities. However, what they want most is a Big Buddy to share their time with! Call us today at (970) 927-1001 to find out how you can guide and inspire a young person. |
"There are two ways of spreading the light:
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
~Edith Wharton | |
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Outward Bound 2009  Once again, the first weekend in June marked The Buddy Program's annual Outward Bound trip in Leadville, Colorado. Ten Buddy Pairs joined us for three days packed with adventure, challenge, confidence building, goal setting, and, above all having fun! Despite the chilly mountain air at 10,000 feet, each of the Buddies, Big and Little  alike, went above and beyond in pushing themselves to take on the challenges presented to them. Through teambuilding activities, rock climbing, a high ropes course, and a lot of focus on communication and building trust as a pair, our participants came away from the weekend feeling more confident in themselves and in their relationships with their Buddies. At our "closing ceremony" on the Monday afternoon, Big and Little Buddies presented one another with an Outward Bound pin accompanied by heartfelt words about how the weekend had affected them. It was a magical three days, and the twenty participants are now "Outward Bound" to carry this experience with them for years to come. |
 Outward Bound Evaluation
This year, we were able to capture the success of the Outward Bound weekend with a program evaluation. We are proud to report that after attending the Outward Bound weekend, Little Buddies were:
- more proud of the things that they do
- feel that they can make more decisions by themselves
- more comfortable trying new things
- more likely to feel that they can go to their Big Buddy when they need help as compared to before Outward Bound.
We are also thrilled to report that before the weekend, most Little Buddies already felt that they are comfortable talking with their Big Buddies, that their Big Buddies listen to them, that they are close to their Big Buddies, and that their Big Buddies know them.
When one Big Buddy was asked about "changes you saw in your Little Buddy over the course of the weekend", he responded, "I saw him overall have fun but he really, for the first time, was able to verbalize his feelings for me and that, in turn, affirmed our relationship in both our minds." Not only is the weekend an adventure for everyone, but it also solidifies the growth in Buddy Pair relationships for years to come! |
Buy a Cool Cruiser and Support The Buddy Program
What: Vintage Bike Show & Sale 
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 20th & 21st; Saturday, July 4th
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Jill's Carpets - 315 E. Main Street Aspen, CO
An amazing private collection of over 50 bikes with bright colors and fun designs! Townies, single speeds and refurbished vintage bikes from the 1970's - 1980's! A portion of the preceeds go to The Buddy Program!
If you have any questions, please call Knansee or Bill Taylor at (970) 948-9888. |
 A Big Thank You to Alpine Bank
Alpine Bank very generously donated $1,000 to help fund Buddy Pairs going to Outward Bound this month. This donation was made possible by their Loyalty Visa Check Card - the Americas Card, which helps the Latin-American communities in Western Colorado improve their quality of life and learn the importance of helping others. Each time the card is used, Alpine Bank donates 10 cents on behalf of their customer's loyalty to The Buddy Program or a number of other local nonprofits. The Buddy Program helps many Latin-American Little Buddies by offering them services that in turn help strengthen intercultural relationships throughout the valley. As the Latin-American community grows, so do the needs of education, support and diversity. The Buddy Program is proud to be a part of such a noble cause and honored by Alpine Bank's generosity! |
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Suicide Prevention: The Aspen Counseling Center wants you to know the warning signs of suicide: hopelessness, sleeplessness, rage or anger, risky activities, withdrawing from family and friends, and self destructive behavior. Don't Delay: Call Aspen Counseling Center at (970) 920-5555 : Available 24/7 |
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Reminder: AYC Collaboration
 Big and Little Buddies - are you looking for a fun place to hang out this summer? Stop by the Aspen Youth Center (AYC), located at the Aspen Recreational Center. The staff at AYC welcomes all youth entering 4th grade or older from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday! AYC is a safe place for our community's youth to hang out after school and during the summer. Take advantage of this great opportunity and understand why everyone raves about the Youth Center. Don't forget to show your Buddy discount cards and say thank you!
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| Volunteers Needed for our Summer Fundraising Events. 250 volunteers make our events possible! If you are interested in volunteering for our Boogie's Bash for the Buddies on July 3rd, 2009 or our annual Boogie's Diner Buddy 5 Mile Run on July 4th, 2009, please contact Erika at (970) 274-0805 or Natasha at (970) 274-4736. Thanks for your continued support! |
 When: July 3rd, 2009
Where: Boogie's Merry-Go Ranch
Time: 6:00 p.m. - midnight
Theme: Andy Warhol, Studio 54
What: The Buddy Program's annual fundraising gala is considered Aspen's party of the year. Don't miss this event! Join us for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing. To learn more about this event, click here and to purchase tickets, please call (970) 920-2130
This summer's gala celebrates Boogie's 10th anniversary as Chairman of The Buddy Program's Board of Directors and host of Boogie's Bash for the Buddies! |
 What: Boogie's Diner Buddy 5-Mile Race to benefit The Buddy Program
Date: Saturday, July 4th, 2009
Time: First wave at 8:00 a.m., second wave at 8:15 a.m. Registration: To register online, click here, or you can register in front of Boogie's Diner the week of the race.
To learn more about the 5 Mile Race or the 1 Mile Family and Canine Walk, click here for The Buddy Program website.
This event has become an Aspen tradition. It's a wonderful way to begin the Fourth of July celebration - among family and friends while supporting local children. |
 Famous Mentors...
Andy Warhol, the American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who inspired the pop art movement in the 1960's, mentored Jed Johnson, a famous interior designer. |
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Thank you for your continued support!
We would love your feedback on this newsletter. Please feel free to email rebecca@buddyprogram.org today with any comments on the content, structure, or new colors.
Sincerely,
The Buddy Program
110 East Hallam Street, Suite 125
Aspen, CO 81611
P: (970) 920-2130
F: (970) 925-2093 | |
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