The Match Discount Partners list has been recently updated! Check out all of the great ideas for your Match here! Here are two of our newest match discount partners!

The application for scholarships for Fall 2023 semester is now open. Thanks to the generosity of the Federated Challenge, BBBS of Central Minnesota is offering a scholarship for up to $5,000 for students to attend a non-four year education that focuses on obtaining an apprenticeship, certificate or associate’s degree. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 10.  Please click here eligibility requirements and application details.

Interested students may fill out the online application individually, but are encouraged to contact Ann Matvick, Program Director, at Ann@BigDefenders.org or 320-258-4517 for assistance with filling out the application and with any questions.

BriAnna's family honors her memory by awarding a current/past Little or High School Big with a $500 scholarship to a college of their choice. The deadline to apply for a scholarship for Fall 2023 is Saturday, April 1, 2023. Please click here for eligibility requirements and application details.

If you have any questions please contact Ann Matvick at 320-258-4517 or Ann@BigDefenders.org.

Each year, the Project S.A.V.E. Charity Foundation awards 16 college scholarships of $1,000 each to senior high school students. Students are asked to pick one of the following categories to apply: Sports, Arts, Volunteerism, or Education. Project S.A.V.E. has also partnered with Central MN Auto Care Association to provide five additional $1,000 scholarships for high school senioes looking to take automotive-related courses at an area tech school following graduation. Applicants must live in Central Minnesota, have applied to a four-year accredited college/university or a two-year tech school, and meet all academic requirements to graduate by June 2023. Applications are due by April 14, 2023. Click here for more information or to apply.

Jim's Team 4 Diabetes Foundation - located in Blaine - offers college scholarships for up to $1,000 for students with Type 1 Diabetes. Applicants must be a current high school senior that will graduate in 2023. Undergraduate students enrolled at a four-year accredited college or university or two-year tech school are also eligible to apply for a scholarship to help with diabetic supplies, room and board, or books. The application includes a letter from a physician or CDE certifying the diagnosis and an essay describing the impact Type 1 Diabetes has had on the student's life. Applications are due May 15, 2023, for high school seniors, May 1 for college students enrolled in summer classes in 2023 and Aug. 1 for college students enrolled in classes for Fall 2023. Click here for more information or to apply.

Great River Regional Library Reading Challenges - Do you love to read? Are you looking to read more? The Great River Regional Library is kicking off 2023 with a variety of reading challenges. There is a Winter Reading Program for readers ages 12 and up and a Kids Bingo Reading Challenge for young readers up to age 11. Both challenges run through Feb. 28. Click here for more information or to sign up.

Better Together: A Day of Wellness - Join the Bounce Back Project for an afternoon of family fun. On April 30 from 2-4 p.m., head to the Monticello Memorial Stadium for a free event featuring make and take stations, community resources, food trucks and a special performance from Koo Koo Kanga Roo! Follow the Bounce Back Project on Facebook to stay up to date on the event.

Stearns County Parks Winter Events - Looking to get outside more in February? Check out Stearns County Parks! On Friday, Feb. 24, try out the Moonlight Hike at Warner Lake Nature Center in Clearwater. Click here for more information - no registration required for either event!

Sporting Collectibles, Art Fish & Decoy Show - Get ready for spring and fishing season by heading to the 10th annual Little Falls Sporting Collectibles, Art Fish & Duck Decoy Show. Hosted by the Minnesota Fishing Museum & Hall of Fame, the show runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, in Little Falls. Adults are $5 and kids 16 and under are free. Click here for more details.

Marcus Cinema Kid's Dream Film Series - Now through April 2, head to Parkwood Cinema in Waite Park to watch your favorite family movie for just $3! A new family friendly movie is shown each week, including Sing Feb. 24-26 and Despicable Me March 3-5. Click here for more details or to purchase tickets.

Play Bingo in St. Joe - Need to get out of the house? St. Joseph is doing free community bingo. On Wednesday, Feb. 22 and March 1, come play bingo at 6 p.m. each night at the Government Center. Admission is free and you can win candy bars on Feb. 22 and prizes from Target on March 1. Click here for more information.

QueerConnect Monthly Meetups - QueerConnect Youth events are designed to help connect people in the LGBTQIA+ community. On the third Monday of every month, local middle and high school students are welcome at the QueerConnect Monthly Meetup. The meetup takes place from 5-8 p.m. at the St. Cloud COP House at 600 13th St. S. Follow St. Cloud Pride on Facebook or check out the website for more info.

Check out a Binge Box - Looking for something fun to do during the cold, snowy winter days? Check out a Binge Box from the St. Cloud library! Each box contains a handful of movies of all genres, and the checkout period is seven days. Click here for more information.

Arts Underground at St. Cloud Paramount - Every Thursday from Sept. 15, 2022, through May 18, 2023, head to the Paramount Center for the Arts in downtown St. Cloud to try your hand at various skills! Work with a studio mentor to try throwing a bowl on the wheel, piece together a mosaic or make a clay sculpture. Youth 19 and under are $5 each and adults are $10. Click here for more information.

Earlier this month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota sent out a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion assessment survey to current Bigs as well as Parents and Guardians of Littles. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to fill out the survey! Your voice is important, and we appreciate your insight. If you have not yet completed the survey, please do so by Friday, Feb. 24.

AmazonSmile is sunsetting at the end of the month, but we have a new and easy way for you to support local youth. When you sign up today to donate on the BBBS of Central Minnesota website, you can choose to round up every purchase on the credit card of your choosing. Every time you swipe that card, the total is rounded up to the nearest dollar - and that extra change stays right here in Central Minnesota! Your extra change could make a BIG difference to local youth - give it a try!

BBBS of Central Minnesota recently secured a second location for its Dr. Potter Bigs on Campus Mentoring Initiative. Starting in January, students from Kennedy Community School in St. Joseph will be matched with faculty, staff, alumni and business professionals at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. Matches meet twice a month for an hour at a time and will tour both campuses, do group activities and have time for one-to-one mentoring. If you or anyone you know would be interested in being a Big for the CSB+SJU Bigs on Campus initiative, email Emmitt Edwards for more information!

To kick off 2023, BBBS of Central Minnesota is participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit youth in Central Minnesota. Now through March 31, shop at Target's two St. Cloud locations, or locations across Central Minnesota, to earn votes. For full program details and restrictions visit Target Circle.

Have you ever thought about being a Big? Do you know someone who would be a great Big? BBBS of Central Minnesota is looking for 10 mentors to be a part of the Bigs on Campus initiative at St. Cloud State. Meet with your mentee twice a month for an hour at a time at SCSU and help them get accustomed to life on a college campus! Click here for more information or to sign up to be part of the Bigs on Campus program!

Are you a Thrivent member with a Thrivent Action Team, or do you know someone who is? BBBS is partnering with Thrivent on a number of fundraisers that will utilize their generosity programs to further Thrivent's event impact. Get involved by reaching out to Emily Steinmetz at Emily@BigDefenders.org. Please click here for more information.

Welcome to a world of fun, learning, and resources - The Little Big Virtual Academy!

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota team has compiled a list of fun and interactive activities and resources for Littles and Bigs to do together (either in-person or virtually). Click here to check it out!

Please visit our BBBS Website to view resources and information for parents/guardians & Bigs including mentoring videos and parenting resources. We also have an extensive listing of community resources including tutors, food and housing assistance, and mental health resources. BigDefenders.org/resources

In addition, we also list past issues of the Big Happenings on our website. Please click here to access past issues.

If you've got big goals and you're looking for the right job to achieve them, consider joining Career Solutions' Job Club. Job Club meets every Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-Noon and is open to anyone who is job searching. Job seekers must register to attend. Please click here for more information or to register.

If you're getting ready to go to college, tune in during the month of February for a series of college and financial aid webinars created specifically for students and families. Sessions are Tuesday Feb. 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. All sessions are virtual and will go over various aspects of financial aid. Please click here for more information or to register for a session.

If you're interested in welding as a career, Career Solutions has two opportunities to learn more. Career Solutions is hosting Welding Discovery Day on March 6 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Cloud Tech and Community College. The free three-hour session includes welding requirements, job openings, insight and advice from local welders and the ability to test out equipment and safety gear. Career Solutions is also holding a free Welding and Manufacturing Training from March 13-April 20. Each Monday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m., get hands-on training that focuses on Wire Feed Welding (also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding). Earn your industry credential as a Certified Manufacturing Associate and connect with local welding employers. All equipment, tools and tuition are provided and paid for. Please email Tom to register or for more information.

Higher Works Collaborative in St. Cloud works to advance the lives and livelihoods of African Americans in Central Minnesota. They offer tutoring and classes to help prepare middle and high schoolers for life after high school. Please click here for more information.

If you're interested in a career in transportation, Career Solutions is hosting CDL Discovery Day on March 22. From 1-4 p.m. at St. Cloud Tech and Community College, learn more about CDL training requirements for semi drivers, job openings, advice from local drivers, and pre-trip inspections and equipment. This three-hour workshop is free. Email Angela with questions or to register.

Minnesota Afterschool Advance helps Minnesota families who meet income requirements use the powerful but underutilized Minnesota K-12 Education Tax Credit to help them pay for educational afterschool programs like tutoring, music lessons, and art classes. Please click here to apply.

Career Solutions helps Central Minnesota find a job or career that's right for them. The WIOA Young Adult Program can help assess future careers, assess skills and interests and assist with job searches. Please click here for more information.