	In this Issue
	Agency Events

	Did You Know
	Exploring the Web Safely

Dear Supporter,

In light of the recent news of tragedy at home and abroad, it's important to remember that Big Brothers Big Sisters can make a difference: our programs are proven to have a significant and positive impact on the lives of children. In an independent study on children with Big Brothers or Big Sisters, one third were less likely to hit someone, and all were shown to get along better with their families and peers. Help us reach more children and support them in making good decisions. You can help to make a difference by volunteering or making a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters today.

AGENCY EVENTS

Phoenix Mercury Floor Seats

Bank of America has generously donated 4 court seats to each Phoenix Mercury home game for two of our Matches. If you would like to attend with your Little, please contact your Match Support Specialist and specify what date(s) you would like to attend. First come, first served. Matches will be briefly highlighted at the game.

STARS Mentoring Training
If you are a Big Brother or Sister in our STARS Children of an Incarcerated Parent program, we are offering a series of trainings for you. These trainings are designed through curriculum by the Child Welfare League of America. Training topics have been selected based upon questions and issues our volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters have faced. We encourage you to attend all trainings, though you are not required to attend one in order to attend another.

Training Session #2: Who are the Children of Prisoners?
This training will help identify developmental influences, typical feelings and risk factors that many children of prisoners have in common. We will explore what it means to mentor a child of a prisoner, facilitate interactive activities and encourage discussion and questions. Lunch is provided.

When: Saturday, May 19 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Big Brothers Big Sisters
           1010 E. McDowell Rd.
           Phoenix, AZ 85006
           Lower Level Conference Room (take elevators to LL4)
RSVP: To your Match Support Specialist

Upcoming Trainings
August 11: Honoring the Significance of the Incarcerated Parent/Child Relationship

Peter Piper Pizza Bowl for Kids’ Sake

BowlMania

Join Big Brothers Big Sisters for this year's Bowl for Kids’ Sake BowlMania event on Saturday, June 2 at AMF Shea Village Lanes bowling center in Phoenix.

We are looking for Bigs that want to have a greater impact on the program. Big Brothers and Sisters that are interested in becoming a team captain can contact Scott Weesner at sweesner@bbbsaz.org or by calling at 602-393-4133.

Team captains will be responsible for finding three to four other bowlers to join them in their quest to help Big Brothers Big Sisters. Each bowler is asked to collect $100 in pledges, and to help make this easier, we have set up a fundraising website that you can use for free. Check it out before you decide at http://bbbsaz.kintera.com.

If you are not interested in bowling yourself or organizing a team, we strongly encourage you to consider making a donation yourself. You can do this by clicking the link above. Thank you for caring about your agency.

Company Bowl
Hosting a company bowl during Peter Piper Pizza’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake allows your company to give back to employees and to Big Brothers Big Sisters. There’s no financial commitment and all that’s needed is allowing your company to participate in the event and designating one corporate champion to spearhead the event.

The corporate champion is responsible for keeping in touch with BBBSAZ and promoting BFKS to fellow employees. Once the teams are in place, the employees can begin collecting pledges to benefit BBBSAZ. We encourage companies to treat the event as a company picnic and team building event.

Each team has five bowlers and BBBSAZ can award trophies to the:

* Top fundraising team

* Best bowling team

* Best team spirit

* Best costume

By creating these categories your employees should build internal competition, which will also build up your employees as a team, and increase employee moral.

In the end everyone walks away having a great time playing together and providing much needed financial support for BBBSAZ with no cost to the company.

For more information, or to schedule a company bowl, contact Scott Weesner at sweesner@bbbsaz.org or call (602) 393-4133.

Event Tickets

Are you interested in receiving emails regarding community event tickets that are donated to our Agency? If so, please email tickets@bbbsaz.org.

Please include your name and preferred email address. You will be placed on the distribution list and will be notified via email when tickets arrive.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to assist with match support contacts and interviewing of potential volunteers and families. Hours are very flexible. If you have a bachelor's degree and would like to assist the agency in another capacity, please call John Hamilton at (602) 393-4118.

DID YOU KNOW...

... 1 in 5 teens abused prescription painkillers in 2004. Prevalent pills include Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, Hydrocodone.

National Survey on Drug Use & Health and Partnership for a Drug Free America, 2005

EXPLORING THE WEB SAFELY

Today kids of all ages are spending more time online. The Internet is full of lots of great information kids need... but there is also information not intended for young eyes. As a mentor, make sure the young person in your life follows a few good online safety rules.

Here are some good things to teach the child in your life about safe and responsible behavior online:

Don’t give out personal information online.
Don’t click on pop-ups or visit sites that may contain information for adults only.
Don’t download or install software or do other things that could jeopardize privacy or safety without permission from a parent or guardian.
Remember that people in online “chat” rooms are not always who they say they are.
Don’t send or post pictures of yourself without permission from a parent or guardian.
If you ever experience anything online that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a caring adult like a Big Brother, Big Sister, teacher, parent or guardian.

Ask the teenager in your life what sites he or she likes to go to. Don’t judge, but do offer good advice about safe and responsible online behavior.