Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring
As a collective movement, the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to enable mentoring relationships that ignite the power and potential of young people. Whether through one-to-one mentoring, in-school mentoring or one of the inspiring group mentorship opportunities, BBBS agencies across Canada commitment to the development of young people remains steadfast.
Our no-cost mentoring programs strive to reach young people who face adversity and are in need of an additional supportive relationship. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies formally match young people with an adult volunteer Mentor.
Mentors are professionally trained and supported to ignite the unique power and potential of each Mentee. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides every match with access to a professional caseworker who provides support to both the Mentee, Mentor and family.
Current research suggests that young people are more likely to flourish when they are embedded in a web of relationships with supportive, caring adults. This is the essences of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs; providing the relationships that young people need to succeed.
For more information about volunteering, click: Volunteer Information
Upcoming Events
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham received grant to refresh programs and renew strategic directions
In the spring of 2023, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham (BBBSND) was notified that it was receiving a $99,700.00 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to help with agency effectiveness. The 12- month grant is providing support to renew strategic directions, drive good governance and revitalize mentoring programs.
The agency was able to refresh tools and forms for In-school programs, provide training for Caseworkers and volunteer mentors. Implementation of organizational training and coaching, strategic planning, operational planning, develop fundraising plans, and attract new volunteers, and cybersecurity planning.
The Resilient Communities Fund is helping BBBSND reach all of the communities that are served in North Durham. It has enabled the agency to refresh and identify outreach programs, communication materials and engage stakeholders through a new communication platform.
“Being able to improve the quality of our programs benefits our community greatly,” said Margaret Ayres, Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham. “The Ontario Trillium Foundation has allowed us to expand our training in many areas, so that we can support our staff and volunteers. Our new communication platform enables us to engage and communicate more effectively with our stakeholders.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham is the leading child and youth mentorship organization in North Durham. Through volunteer mentors, they help ignite the power and potential of young people. 2023 marked the 47th anniversary of their commitment to providing life-changing mentoring in the community. Early intervention by the Big Brothers Big Sisters team can help prevent the physical and mental effects that adverse childhood experiences can cause. By donating your time as a mentor or financially, you’re giving a child a chance at a better future.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grantmaking in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Over the past seven years, OTF invested nearly $730M into 5,200 community projects and partnerships, which made significant contributions to the well-being of Ontarians. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham acknowledges that we are situated on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We are humbled to recognize the many contributions made by the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples of Canada, and celebrate the historic foundation and many contributions from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We are grateful for the opportunity provided by this special place we all share, and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for millennia.
Inclusivity Statement
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham, we acknowledge and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, lives, and experiences of all of our stakeholders including youth, families, volunteers, donors, and staff. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. We commit to continuously educating ourselves to ensure we build a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.