Who Are After School Buddies?

After School Buddies is a multi-generational program serving teens and students in Central Oregon. ASB meets weekly after school with teen boys or girls serving as mentors to elementary students of the same gender. A middle school program is also available.
This program is uniquely successful due to its focus on tri-generational mentoring and leadership development. Relationship building, study skills, exercise and nutrition discussions and activities, arts and crafts, along with community service projects are all foundations of this faith-based organization.
After School Buddies is a religious non-profit corporation registered with the State of Oregon. It is faith based program but does not restrict participation to any one denomination, church, or organization.
Teen students are encouraged to...
Aspire to discover their purpose, gifts and talents
Share encouragement and hope
Build relationships, healthy minds and bodies, and respect for others.

Our Vision:
Young adults and teens sharing hope and encouragement with younger students, the community and the world!

Our Mission:
To empower and encourage teens to discover their potential and to positively influence younger students in thought, word, and action.

End of Year Thoughts...

It’s incredible that the Buddies and leaders of ASB have completed yet another season! Where did this year go?

Graduation is just around the corner for our senior Big Buddy Chelsea Z. And our juniors (there are MANY) are finishing up their ACT and SAT tests getting ready for college application season next year. Wow.
Our year of HOPE and GO has lived up to my expectation in so many ways. Our teens and kids prepared gifts of love, encouragement, care and joy to various organizations throughout Central Oregon. Teens shared their passions, thoughts and prayers with Little Buddies all winter/spring long. From teamwork to trust, from faithfulness to friendship, and from compassion to courage our teens presented their thoughts and concerns about numerous virtues and values to our little ones.
HOPE and GO… Help Other People Eagerly by Giving of Ourselves… our 2009 theme. Lots of folks need help in so many ways.. from words of encouragement, to tutoring of math problems… from nutrition/food to clothing – it all helps to show that someone cares.. it all matters.
We each want to be #1 in someone’s life.. we all would love to have a “Big Buddy” to inspire us, to share with us, to build relationship with us. And believe it or not – we do have that very person in our Heavenly Father. I hope that somehow God has used us to inspire other adult leaders and Big Buddies to love those Little Buddies and each other the way He loves us! We DO have a BFF (teen talk for Best Friend Forever!!!)

Bend's Best Easter Buddy!

Yes Clara.. there is an Easter Bunny... and her name is Kate Armstrong!
Kate looks worried that she won't have enough eggs hid for all of the Little Buddies to find...

Sharing the Joy of Easter

After School Buddies stuffed plastic eggs to share with less fortunate children for their Easter celebration. Middle school ASB girls decorated Easter cakes for teens at Grandma's house. Offering hope and encouaragment to kids who might not have alot during these economically challenging times is one simple way our ASB kids can and do make a difference.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Artists Naeyli and Brittany rejoice in the success of their "whopper junior" sculptures.. I am not so sure that the burgers taste as good as they look...

Fun in February

Big and Little Buddies and adult leaders test their courage and balance skills at the ice rink at the 7th Mountain Resort.

Experienced skaters and newbies gave it a shot as they encouraged one another around the ice. Winter fun for all!

ASB girls prepared Valentines of love for teen moms at Grandma's House, women living at the Bethlehem Inn, and patients and families at the Hospice Center. Our mission to love others as God has loved us was put into action this season! Everyone appreciates being remembered - especially when times are tough.