Maryland Eastern Shore —Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore (BBBSES) is sparking off the new year with a focus on positive health and wellness through a series of community-driven initiatives aimed at fostering physical, mental, and emotional well-being among local youth and families facing adversity. Due to the local support of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and the United Way of Queen Anne’s County, the organization has provided enrichment, programs, and resources to encourage healthy lifestyles, build confidence, and strengthen relationships between mentors (Bigs) and mentees (Littles).
Ongoing Enrichment and Support
The agency supports early childhood nutrition programs through enrichment of volunteers and families. Upon onboarding, mentors are provided “Eat Well, Stay Active, Have Fun”, a book full of nutritional facts and other important resources and “Daily Health and Hygiene Skills” to encourage healthy habits and promote positive body and mental health and wellness.
Trainings and podcasts on healthy eating, healthy choices, fitness, and goal setting is offered to families facing adversity and volunteers, promoting positive health and wellness are hosted on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Learning Exchange and designed by experienced and trained professionals. BBBSES incorporates health and fitness in all of its seasonal enrichment events, offering fun activities such as roller skating, relay races, minute race activities, watching baseball games, and swimming.
Fitness Workshops Offered Every Saturday in January
Throughout January, BBBSES partnered with Fitness by Tammy to host a series of fitness workshops. Held every Saturday, these engaging sessions were designed to encourage physical activity, promote healthy habits, and build confidence. Participants of all fitness levels were welcomed, making it a fun and supportive environment for Big, Mentoring Matches, Littles and their families to come together and prioritize their well-being.
Heart Healthy Fit February
Building on the momentum of January’s workshops, BBBSES is excited to celebrate Heart Healthy Fit February. This month-long initiative will feature activities and resources centered around heart health and fitness. From educational sessions on nutrition and cardiovascular health to fun group exercises, BBBSES is committed to empowering youth to make informed choices that lead to a healthier future. From yoga to mixed martial arts, each workshop is focused on a variety of activities that children, families, and volunteers can practice with each other to help them stay active throughout February and beyond.
“We believe that fostering physical and emotional well-being is essential for our Littles to thrive,” said Jessica Mimms, Executive Director of BBBSES, “These programs not only provide valuable resources for our families but also strengthen the bonds between Bigs and Littles through shared experiences.”
Join the Movement
BBBSES invites the community to get involved by participating in upcoming events or supporting these initiatives through donations at www.shorebiglittle.org/donate and volunteer at www.shorebiglittlle.org/volunteer. Each member of the community has a responsibility to provide opportunities for our youth to lead healthier and happier lives.
**About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore**
Big Brothers Big Sisters is dedicated to igniting the power and promise of youth through mentoring and enrichment. By incorporating wellness-focused activities, BBBSES is helping to create a brighter, healthier future for the Eastern Shore community. To learn more about the agency’s health initiative, the life changing programs offered, or to register as a volunteer mentor (Big) or program supported youth (Little), visit www.shorebiglittle.org or call 410-543-2447. Follow BBBSES on social media, Facebook @BBBSES, Instagram @shorebigs, and X @ESBigs.
