|
|
|
The Buddy Program strengthens our community by guiding and inspiring youth through mentoring. |
Buddy Program Newsletter
October 2009 Issue |
|
|
|
|
|
Buddy Program Waitlist
Name: Jessica
Age: 7
Favorite part about school: Learning and becoming a better reader
Favorite food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite animal: Penguins
Favorite things to do: Going to the park, movies, soccer, and art.
"I would like to have a Buddy so we can do lots of fun things together!"
While kids are on the Buddy Program's wait-list, they are still able to access our additional services. 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. |
 Become our fan! | |
|
|
|
|
|
Buddy Pair Success Story: Randi G. and Virginia Betty
Randi G. and Virginia Betty have been Buddies in our Community Program for twelve years. Throughout the years, Virginia has served as a monumental, additional person for Randi to look up to and spend time with. Just last week, Randi and Virginia attended their 12th Celebration Dinner! Randi is graduating from Roaring Fork High School in 2010 and planning on attending CMC for two years and then going to CSU to get her degree in Veterinary Technology. She attributes her success in life to her supportive Big Buddy. In a recent request for a letter of recommendation for Colorado Mountain College, this is what Randi wrote of her experience with mentoring:
"I have been part of the Buddy Program since I was six years old. All twelve years have been so amazing! I love the program and I love my Buddy. Ever since my Buddy and I met, we have never used our actual names to address each other, 'Buddy' is our name when we are together. It has been something that shows how close we are, and it gives people just a peek at how my Buddy and I love one another. I do hope to become a mentor some day through the Buddy Program. I cannot thank you enough for the things this program has offered to me." |
|
Another Inspiring "Celebrate Your Buddy" Dinner
On October 15th, 2009, Big and Little Buddies and their families gathered at Bumps Restaurant to celebrate the amazing relationships that make up the Buddy Program! Amidst the dancing and celebrating, the Buddy Program took time to recognize two amazing women to receive our annual Hero Awards: Elizabeth Milias and Jenny Elliot. Both Jenny and Elizabeth have worked tirelessly to make our community a stronger place through the time  and energy they have given to support the Buddy Program. We also heard a moving speech from Randi G. about her amazing relationshp with her Big Buddy, Virginia Betty (see the article above). The Buddy Program was proud to use this venue as an opportunity to unveil our new mission: The Buddy Program strengthens our community by guiding and inspiring youth through mentoring; and the smiles on all of the faces made it clear that our community is a stronger, better place because of the Buddy Program! |
|
 OLD FASHIONED HALLOWEEN "Boo Bash" PARTY
Saturday, October 31st, 3:00 PM -7:00 PM
Come get your ghoul on at the Halloween "Boo Bash" presented by the Aspen Writers' Foundation in celebration of The Big Read at the Red Brick Center for the Arts. Activities include a haunted house, dunk tank, pie baking contest, costume contest, cash prizes, and much more! Visit aspenwriters.org for more information on The Big Read and please RSVP to Heather at 920-2130 or [email protected] if you can attend! |
More Peer-to-Peer Buddy Pairs Than Ever
The Buddy Program is pleased to announce the kick-off of our Peer-to-Peer Programs in the Aspen and Basalt schools this month. The Peer-to-Peer Program, entering its fifth year, attracted a record number of high school applicants and resulted in a combined total of 100 Peer-to-Peer Big Buddies! For the remainder of the school year, these dedicated young volunteers will spend one hour each week with their Little Buddies at the Aspen and Basalt Middle and Elementary schools, eating lunch, playing games and building new friendships. As our fastest growing program within the Buddy Program, we are excited to jump into the school year full force with all 200 amazing Buddies! |
Big Buddy Receives "Outstanding Volunteer Youth Award"
 The Buddy Program is pleased to announce that on October 7, our Big Buddy, Palmer Hood, was presented with the Eagle County Outstanding Volunteer for Children/Youth Award for his commitment in making a difference in the lives of his two Little Buddies, Tito and Angel. Palmer applied to be a Big Buddy within our Community Program in the fall of 2002, and he was shortly matched with brothers Angel and Tito after they experienced a significant family trauma. Big Buddy, Palmer started taking them to the pool (they didn't know how to swim before meeting Palmer), encouraging them to exercise and be healthy, and often times had dinner at their house. Palmer LOVES their mom's cooking! Over the years, as a Big Buddy, Palmer has been instrumental in helping both Tito and Angel deal with the loss of a loved one and has put hope back into their lives. The Buddy Program is proud to have volunteers like Palmer Hood, who help us strengthen our community by guiding and inspiring youth through mentoring! |
|
 October Buddy Pair Anniversaries
Cathy Grueter & Tamsin & Tessa P.H. 2002
George Kaye & Rainier K. 2000
Kim Moore & Elisa B. 2006
Rob Ittner & Carver B. 2008
Sole Lowe & Natalie A. 2002
Kate Leonard & Johanna S. 2004
Jim Waddick & Edgar C. 2008
Photo: Buddy Pair, Sole Lowe and Natalie A., at the Jazz Aspen Labor Day Festival |
|
|
Thank you for your continued support! We would love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email [email protected] with any comments or suggestions.
Sincerely,
The Buddy Program
110 East Hallam Street, Suite 125
Aspen, CO 81611
P: (970) 920-2130 | |
|
