Let’s talk about bias.
Bias, a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against something or someone, is something we all have. It can be innate or learned, and while some biases are helpful (like avoiding someone who has purposely caused you harm), many are not. Continue reading…
Read more from The BCC Compass – January 2021
A letter from BCC’s CEO:
Talented mentors walk a fine line. They must carefully balance constructive feedback and ask objective questions, while allowing those to whom they are providing counsel to decide what path to choose.
On December 14, 2020, Board of Child Care (BCC) lost a longtime board member, fierce advocate, and loyal friend. Bob Kimmons was a man who inspired every single member of BCC’s leadership team to be our best selves. In the days since his passing, each of us has reflected on what Bob has meant in our lives. Unilaterally, we all said “mentor” without hesitation.
Read more from In Memory of Bob Kimmons
Despite the unprecedented times that we currently live in due to COVID-19, four years swiftly passed since our last election! Americans across the U.S. are making sure they exercise their suffrage rights, and so are our youth here at BCC!
The “Rock the Polls” initiative educated our eligible youth on their state and national candidates and provided bipartisan answers to questions youth arose.
In total, 22 eligible youth residing across Baltimore’s Main Campus, Colesville, Hagerstown, Nicodemus, Denton, West Virginia, and TFC are now registered to vote and ready to rock the polls! This is a milestone for our youth as it is their first time utilizing their voice to positively impact our community! It is the beginning of our youth’s journey into social action; however, it doesn’t stop here! We want to encourage our youth to take an active voice in social issues and future state and national elections to come.
We are the role models for the kids that we serve. Make sure YOU get out there and rock the polls!
Read more from BCC rocks the polls
September is Hispanic Heritage Month and BCC is celebrating it with members of our Hispanic community!
On Wednesday, September 16th, the Caminos program kicked off BCC’s “Celebración del Mes de la Herencia Hispana” with Hispanic Heritage display tables and a carryout cuisine sampling.
Through the sights, sounds, and flavors of Latin America, the Caminos program gave the youth and staff of the Baltimore Campus a glimpse of the diverse traditions of Latinx culture.
Hispanic Heritage Month has been officially recognized in the United States since 1968. The celebration lasts from September 15th until October 15th. September 15th is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for various Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.
Thank you to our Caminos program team and everyone who came out to celebrate!
BCC is proud to announce that the WMAR-2 News and Chick-fil-a Everyday Heroes award was presented to the Baird Family in the month of July. The award is given to local families who go above and beyond to make a positive change in their community, using their time and talent. The Baird family is also part of BCC’s family through Bobby Baird, who is the agency’s, Chief Financial Officer.
The Bairds saw a need in their community and wanted to help when the COVID 19 pandemic struck back in March of 2020. Since that time, they have donated over 16,000 sandwiches to the Our Daily Bread Meal program in Baltimore. Today, food donations continue to climb, and their impact continues to grow. In addition to the sandwiches the family makes to donate, they have collaborated with friends and neighbors to contribute things like homemade casseroles, hygiene supplies, and other necessities.
“It started with friends and family and neighbors and people who heard about it and wanted to help out. They randomly show up, and we can spot them now; they come into the neighborhood looking for the street number and asking, “Is this the Peanut Butter and Jelly House?” says Bobby Baird.
In addition to serving the Baltimore community with wife Lizzy and their five children, Bobby oversees all financial operations for the Board of Child Care, in addition to the Dietary and Maintenance services teams. We are proud to have the Bairds as co-workers and neighbors. They indeed are examples of everyday heroes!
Click HERE to see the video
Read more from Everyday Heroes – The Baird Family
Board of Child Care to receive the United Methodist Association Innovation Award for its dedication to innovation with the Caminos Program.
The United Methodist Association (UMA) has selected the Board of Child Care (BCC) to receive its 2020 Innovation Award for the Caminos Program. UMA is a membership organization whose mission is to promote, inspire, recognize, and empower excellence in human service ministries. The Board of Child Care has been chosen to receive this prestigious award in celebration of its dedication to programming innovation and best practices in ministry. Board of Child Care, Cunningham Children’s Home, and Florida United Methodist Children’s Home will accept the Innovation Award on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 during the UMA Annual Meeting in Boulder, Colorado.
BCC’s Caminos Program provides safe, secure placement options for children who have recently migrated to the United States and are seeking opportunities for reunification with family. As part of our commitment to expanding support for this vulnerable population, BCC has been working in collaboration with two (2) other UMA member agencies to share our experience and expertise. Cunningham Children’s Home (Illinois) and Florida United Methodist Children’s Home staff visited the Board of Child Care to establish a collaborative framework of practice that would assist unaccompanied minors with:
With this new sprinkling of thinking, agency awardees imagine that the UMA network will inspire other organizations to consider innovative ways to stretch their faith tradition to serve others in unique ways!
For more information about our Caminos Program, please click here.
Read more from Board of Child Care’s Caminos Program Recognized!Volunteers putting together Welcome Bags for new residents on this MLK Day of Service.
To all our friends, family, BCC staff and Community Partners
for making Fall Fun Festival 2018 a huge success!
Caroline County Department of Social Services
Petals for Hope
St. Martin’s Barn
Human Services Council
Caroline County Health Department-Tobacco Cessation
Click below for photos of Denton Fall Fun Festival 2018
Act with Integrity
Openness and honesty with all stakeholders make for both the best program outcomes and team culture. We, as an organization, must build trust with our program participants by being thoughtful, transparent, and committed to our decisions and promises.
Renne Stewart (Ra- nay) is a Child Care Worker at our Denton campus. Renee was selected for going above and beyond in assisting BCC with staffing coverage throughout the Maryland facilities. She has filled in at our Baltimore, Gateway, and Colesville locations across a variety of programs. Renee is eager to learn and models both flexibility and accountability for her teammates. Renee, I sincerely appreciate your willingness to travel and ensure BCC runs smoothly. Thank you and Congratulations!
Learn more about the Board of Child Care career opportunities to work with Renne Stewart.
Read more from Core Award Winner Renne Stewart