Kidzz Helping Kidzz "headquarters" sponsored another fun filled game night evening last night.
The Kidzz Helping Kidzz Advisory Board also began creating a video that they’re extremely excited to show you.
The video will feature the kids talking about their role as an advisory board member and the reasons why they love helping other kids.
As a youth-led nonprofit, charity organization run by volunteers, our hope is that the video can spread the word about how an amazing bunch of kids are making a difference in the lives of other kids and families.
We will be releasing the video soon! Stay tuned....
Kidzz Helping Kidzz Youth Mentoring Program
The Advisory Board of kids also discussed a new mentoring program that, pending funding, they would like to start.
This program is a partnership with Silverdale Pediatrics, a local Pediatrician office and provides a Kidzz Helping Kidzz “mentor” to a sibling of a child who is struggling with chronic health conditions.
The research shows these siblings frequently experience mental health difficulties, particularly internalizing problems such as anxiety, depression, guilt and shame.
Siblings of children with chronic illness have been referred to as the “forgotten” children in the family, as attention and focus is frequently given to the child with chronic illness.
Due to this, these siblings are at risk for negative psychological effects including emotional abandonment, and can benefit from intervention programs aimed at supporting them.
The youth who lead our organization want to improve the overall life satisfaction, personal self-esteem and sense of recognition and purpose in the lives of siblings of children with chronic illness.
They have proposed a new mentoring program to accomplish this. This program is unique in two ways: 1) Mentors would be children ages 9-18, spanning elementary, middle, and high school. 2) Youth mentors would be “matched” with a sibling of a child with a chronic illness.
We do not know of any mentoring program that specifically helps this population. Several research studies note the importance of intervention programs for these youth.
If you know of anybody who could benefit from a program designed like this, please contact us here so we can help.
Kids Chat Game Night Playing “Hedbanz”
Following the Advisory Board meeting where the kids brainstormed fun group activities for the youth mentoring program, we started our monthly Kids Chat program. A program for any kid aged 10-15 to come together to talk about topics of importance (determined by the kids) and bridge socialization and friendship together during a time of increased isolation for kids all over the country.
The family entertainment game the kids chose was "Hedbanz". Hedbanz is a goofy guessing game that keeps you guessing to figure out what the card is on your headband.
The rules are that kids ask ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions to figure out the animal, food, or thing. The first player to guess 3 cards correctly WINS!
Some of the hardest cards for the kids to guess included “jump rope “, “cup“, and “dragon”.
As with all Kids Chat events, lots of food was served.
The kids ate two full plates of homemade brownies and at least 12 bags of microwave popcorn.
They had so much fun, they decided to continue meeting each month.
So, next month’s kid's selected family entertainment game will be… “Pictionary.”
Kids Chat meets the second Saturday of each month from 6:30-8pm.
If you have a kid between the ages 10-17 (or are one yourself) please contact us here to get more information about Kids Chat game night or our youth mentoring program.
We would all love to hear from you!