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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County, PA Invest in their future ... and yours. Because a Little Time = Big Rewards!
  

                         Upcoming COUL ACTIVITIES:

Please NOTE that calendars are mailed bi-monthly, featuring upcoming activities for the next two months.

SEPTEMBER 2008:

Tuesday, Sept. 2nd   COUL & Match - Back to School Party(5:30-7:30 pm)

NOTE:  Thanks to the United Way "Stuff the Bus" program, no one goes home empty handed on Sept. 2nd -- school supplies for all who attend.

Tuesday, Sept. 9th: COUL - Decision Making Marshmallows (5:30 - 7:30 pm)

Tuesday, Sept. 16th: COUL - BBBS Theatre (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)

Tuesday, Sept. 23rd - COUL: Mosaic Painting Day at Kutztown University  (5:30 pm to 8:00 pm)

Saturday, Sept. 27th: COUL & Match - Park Day/Giving Back at KU (12 noon to 2: 30 pm)

Tuesday, Sept. 30th: COUL - Apple Craziness (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm...Bus leaves promptly at 5:45 pm)

**NOTE:  The office will be closed on Monday, September 1st!

OCTOBER 2008:

Tuesday, Oct. 7th:  COUL - Act with "Kat" (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)

Tuesday, Oct. 14th:  COUL - "The Leaves in the Trees are Gone in the Breeze" (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm) 

Saturday, Oct. 18th:  COUL & Match - Murder Mystery Party at KU (12 noon to 2:30 pm)

Tuesday, Oct. 21st:  COUL - Decorate it, Build it, and Eat it (5:30 pm to 7:30 pm)

Tuesday, Oct. 28th:  COUL - Halloween Costume Party at KU (5:30 pm to 8:00 pm)

Tuesday, Aug. 26th: COUL - Internet Safety (5:30 to 7:30 pm)


You MUST REGISTER For ACTIVITIES ... call (610) 373-5544


COUL visits Crystal Cave


The creative minds of the COUL Kids bring tye-dye back in fashion!


COUL Kids with the Wilson High School Cheerleaders.


COUL Kids say Thank You!

Club Of Unmatched Littles (COUL):

COUL is a group-mentoring program designed to address the needs of unmatched Little Brothers and Sisters, while recruiting and utilizing additional volunteers. COUL Club gives COUL Volunteers and unmatched Littles (COUL kids) the opportunity to participate in supervised group-mentoring activities. All children accepted into Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks (BBBS) immediately become a COUL Club member until matched in the One-To-One mentoring program. If a match relationship closes, a Little Brother/Sister can return to the COUL Club and become an active member until matched again.

The Club Of Unmatched Littles was created by our agency in 1995 and has received National Recognition for alternative & effective mentoring!

COUL fosters resiliency, encourages goal setting, teaches life skills and provides all COUL Kids with a caring and supportive environment. COUL gives unmatched children the chance to meet and work with COUL Volunteers & unmatched Bigs, while getting involved with other children to broaden their horizons through interactive activities. The mentoring ratio during a COUL activity is generally 3 children to 1 mentor.

COUL meets every week (Tuesday evenings 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.), and also generally conducts at least one Saturday activity per month involving all mentoring programs. COUL Kid activities include: Internet technology, discovery science, tutorial sessions, self-defense training, tours of area businesses, sporting events, gardening, recreational activities, etc. COUL topics include: Career opportunities, peer pressure, academics & their importance, and personal safety.

Minimum time commitment for a COUL Volunteer is only 6 activities a year (average 12 total hours per year). In addition, liability concerns of an interested volunteer are greatly reduced because COUL Volunteers are not permitted any contact with COUL kids before or after an activity. Thus, many additional volunteers with very busy schedules have the opportunity to mentor with the agency in a group setting, minus the liability and responsibility of a One-To-One match relationship.

If interested COUL Volunteers have the opportunity to become One-To-One volunteers by simply completing the final step in the application process (Home Assessment with brief follow-up interview). All COUL Volunteers are required to complete our informative application/screening and training processes (please see "Getting Started").

Please note the Youth Activities Coordinator carefully supervises COUL. There is a strict Rule Policy in place in reference to conduct and behavior. Littles (COUL Kids) receive verbal warnings if appropriate, with 3 warnings during 1 activity resulting in a suspension.

COUL is a great alternative mentoring program for unmatched Littles and a great opportunity for mentors with busy schedules. Call us today at (610) 373-5544 for more information!
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