Celebrating Big Brothers Big Sisters Month in September

Brockville – September is Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Month. BBBS agencies are launching a national campaign during Big Brothers Big Sisters Month called “Mentorship Equals” focusing on highlighting how mentoring builds resilience in children and youth.

Mentoring fosters meaningful connections builds long-lasting relationships, and ignites the power and potential in young people. It is widely known that mentorship works, but now there are more feel-good stories and data to prove it. In the new campaign, BBBS will unpack what mentoring means, and how it enhances social-emotional competence, mental health & wellbeing, and educational engagement & employment readiness.

The science shows that a mentor’s positive impact echoes through their mentee’s life, guiding their development and building the foundation for happier, healthier adults. “Youth who receive mentoring are 60% more likely to report feeling consistently happy,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville is committed to providing quality, life-changing mentoring programs to children and youth. Programs offered through BBBS are also beneficial for the volunteer mentors. “My little sister gives me the opportunity to see the world through a child’s eyes again. She pushes me to do things I wouldn’t normally do as an adult – like jumping in the pool instead of wading in or breaking out into song and dance with her,” said Amanda Keyes, Big Sister/volunteer mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Leeds and Grenville. “We talk about things going on in her life, and I know she sees me as a safe person. What I enjoy most about our time together is that it’s meant to be fun.”

These mentoring relationships not only allow children to thrive but also reduce risk-taking behaviour and support healthy development. You can get involved by making a one-time or in-kind donation, becoming a monthly donor or becoming a volunteer mentor!

For more information on our programs, or for information on how you can help please visit our website at leeds.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.