BIONIC Team (Believe It Or Not I Care)
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Colorado Nonprofit Development Center (CNDC)Life is hard and kids are falling through the cracks. B.I.O.N.I.C. Teams empower kids to help peers!
$5,392
raised by 19 people
$10,000 goal
2 months left
What people are saying:
Comments this year from those involved with B.I.O.N.I.C. Teams:
"The B.I.O.N.I.C. Team is one of the BEST things I've learned about at the ASCA (American School Counselor Association Conference). It's made me and my students more intentional about our caring efforts. No need to be random when we can be purposeful."
Alma Lopez, the ASCA 2022 national "School Counselor of the Year" who has had a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team for 15 years at Livingston Middle School in Livingston, CA.
I am so excited about this club and the students that are involved. We have now grown to 11 students. WOW! It is taking off like wildfire. This makes me so excited. Iris Stewart, School Counselor at the North Carolina School for the Deaf, started a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team in the fall of 2022.
Hi Sandy - In case you didn't know - B.I.O.N.I.C. "10/10 - I Care Day" was a success at CMS! Thank you! Here is the note that was in the parent newsletter: "Hello Creighton Families! The Student Council and our B.I.O.N.I.C. Team had a successful "10/10 - I Care Day" this past Monday! The goal of "I Care Day" was to promote positive action to at least 10 people within our school and community throughout the school day. Student Council and B.I.O.N.I.C. reached out to St. Anthony's Hospital, Lakewood PD, the Lakewood Fire Department and Glennon Heights Elementary to show our appreciation for all they do and to spread kindness. Our fellow students joined in by filling out I Care Cards for their peers that have made a difference in their lives. Thank you for supporting our mission!"
Tina Klismith, Parent and Parent Teacher Assn. President, Creighton Middle School, Lakewood CO. Creighton's school Counselor, Anita Encinias and other staff started their B.I.O.N.I.C. Team in the fall of 2022.
Kids - Kindergarten through college - are struggling as never before during these difficult times! Anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts are escalating almost daily. Your donation for as little as $5.00 to B.I.O.N.I.C. for Colorado Gives Day will help schools/home schools/teams/afterschool groups/churches reach out to students through a club called the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team (Believe It Or Not I Care).
The B.I.O.N.I.C. Team is led by school counselors, educators, or other youth leaders to empower kids to reach out to peers facing challenging times in hopes of preventing them from spiraling down into more serious issues like thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth in America!
Our Executive Director was one of the most involved school counselors in the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy, and then 2 years later experienced 4 suicides at her own school. She started the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team to empower kids to reach out to peers who were new, sick, hospitalized, bullied, or who lost a loved one to let them know they are "seen," they "matter," and people care. In the next 14 years at two high schools, over 1,200 students reached out to over 140,000 peers, families, school staff, and community members going through tough times.
One district started a B.I.O.N.I.C. Team in their district office to help the staff going through tough times. Two elementary teachers asked for help because they were suicidal! That B.I.O.N.I.C. Team saved those teachers' lives and prevented all of their students - current and past - and their schools and communities from having to deal with the deaths of those teachers! B.I.O.N.I.C. saves lives!!!
Donations raised through Colorado Gives Day this year will go toward:
- $30 to scholarship a school counselor to take the online suicide prevention training course called QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) to support students who become suicidal.
- $97.00 - to scholarship a team of up to 4 students/staff/leaders from a school/home school group/team/afterschool group/church to attend a virtual B.I.O.N.I.C. Team Conference to learn the basics of B.I.O.N.I.C. Teams.
- $400.00 - to scholarship a school/home school group/team/afterschool group/church to become an officially certified B.I.O.N.I.C. Team and receive the training, materials, and resources to plan and implement the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team with all the support they need from the nonprofit to run the club.
- Any other amount you donate, we will put toward the scholarship fund for schools to start B.I.O.N.I.C. Teams.
This year the B.I.O.N.I.C. Teams have not only been helping students, but also staff, parents, families, and community members in greater ways than ever before as the stresses of in-person/remote learning have taken their toll on everyone. With continued budget cuts all around us, most schools/home schools/teams/afterschool groups/churches can't afford the $497 total to come to the Conference and then start an official B.I.O.N.I.C. Team. Thank you for caring about those who are struggling!
If you have questions, feel free to e-mail us at info@bionicteam.org or call our office at 720-588-0978.
B.I.O.N.I.C. (Believe It Or Not I Care) is a 501(c)3 project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Your gifts are tax-deductible.