BEST Kids Mentoring Program

📬BEST Kids News -

📬BEST Kids News BEST Kids explored the Smithsonian National Zoo. Mentors and their mentees had the opportunity to bond while checking out the animal exhibits.

It’s not too late to help us meet our annual giving goal! - https://mailchi.mp/c19567476a4c/its-not-too-late-to-help-us-meet-our-annual-giving-goal

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized nationwide to bring understanding of the mental health needs and experiences within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, and others who face disproportionate inequities in care, support or mental health services in this country. The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored.

Mental Health America

Happy ! The essence of Mandela Day – take action, inspire change, and make every day a Mandela Day – is more important than ever before.

To learn more about Mandela Day and how you can take action in your community visit Nelson Mandela or mandeladay.com.

Join BEST Kids TODAY at the Entertainment and Sports Arena at 3pm for BEST Kids night! In association with the Washington Mystics and MENTOR Maryland DC, the Mystics Mentor program seeks to close the mentoring gap in the DC area. Stop by our table to learn how mentoring positively impacts youth in foster care!

mystics.wnba.com/mystics-mentor/

This Month BEST Kids is joining in addressing negative perceptions and stigma surrounding mental health. Learn how you can start the conversation about managing mental health at minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health!

Interested in learning more about becoming a BEST Kids mentor? Join an Information Session to learn more about the process to become a mentor and the experience of mentoring with us.

Register for an upcoming session at http://ow.ly/puAm50JAW5M

The BEST Kids team extends our heartfelt congratulations to our Volunteer Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Keesha Lockette! Keesha celebrates her second year with us today. Despite starting during the height of the pandemic, she quickly became an integral part of the team. Her passion for and dedication to our youth and programming shows clearly in her work and her positive attitude and drive inspires us every day. Keesha, from all of us at BEST Kids, thank you so much for all you do!

Learn more about Keesha and the entire BEST Kids team at bestkids.org/staff!

The BEST Kids team is thrilled to share our 2021 Annual Report with you! Check out the report to learn more about our work, accomplishments, and partners over the course of the last year. Thank you to all the donors, volunteers, community partners, program participants, and supporters that joined our team in empowering youth in foster care.

Read the report at bestkids.org/annual-report!

July is Month. We are joining Office of Minority Health - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of racial and ethnic minority populations and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Learn more https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health

Please join the BEST Kids team in welcoming our newest staff members - Letrice Weaver and Whitney Jennings!

Letrice joins the team as our new Development Manager! She brings a passion for helping underserved youth to become all they were destined to be. Before joining BEST Kids, Letrice served as Assistant Principal of School Operations for 20 years and was responsible for overseeing the admissions, fundraising and development efforts. Letrice is excited about supporting the mission of BEST Kids and contributing to making bright futures for the next generation of leaders.

Whitney joins the team as our Marketing and Communications Coordinator! She brings more than 10 years of strategic marketing & nonprofit communication experience to the BEST Kids team. She is dedicated to “leveling the playing field” by working to ensure marginalized groups have access to resources needed to help them succeed.

Learn more about Letrice, Whitney, and the entire BEST Kids team at bestkids.org/staff!

BEST Kids celebrated our first ever Caregiver Appreciation Day earlier this month. While our youth's caregivers are not a traditional part of the mentoring relationship, they are integral to a successful match. Thank you to all our caregivers for your time and dedication to our program!

Read the blog at https://www.bestkids.org/blog/a-note-from-our-staff3471454.