What is Big Brothers Big Sisters?

1. What is Big Brothers Big Sisters? • 135 agencies in over 1000 communities across Canada Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

2. What is Big Brothers Big Sisters? • 135 agencies in over 1000 communities across Canada • Provides opportunities to over 27,000 children by matching them to adult volunteers in quality mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

3. What is Big Brothers Big Sisters? • 135 agencies in over 1000 communities across Canada • Provides opportunities to over 27,000 children by matching them to adult volunteers in quality mentoring relationships. • Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors are people just like you who volunteer to share a little time with a young person. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

4. What is Big Brothers Big Sisters? • 135 agencies in over 1000 communities across Canada • Provides opportunities to over 27,000 children by matching them to adult volunteers in quality Mentoring relationships. • Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentors are people just like you who volunteer to share a little time with a young person. • Mentors come from all walks of life! Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

5. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

6. Big Brothers Big Sisters Whether you are 18 or 70, you can volunteer for this! In School Mentoring Program Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

7. Big Brothers Big Sisters Whether you are 18 or 70, you can volunteer for this! This program matches an adult volunteer (the Mentor) with a child (the Mentee) in a school environment. In School Mentoring Program Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

8. Big Brothers Big Sisters Whether you are 18 or 70, you can volunteer for this! This program matches an adult volunteer (the Mentor) with a child (the Mentee) in a school environment. The activities, which take place during the work and school day, strengthen the Mentee’s self-esteem and contribute to improved school performance. In School Mentoring Program Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

9. Big Brothers Big Sisters Whether you are 18 or 70, you can volunteer for this! This program matches an adult volunteer (the Mentor) with a child (the Mentee) in a school environment. The activities, which take place during the work and school day, strengthen the Mentee’s self-esteem and contribute to improved school performance. Mentoring is an opportunity for you to personally make a difference in the life of a child while having fun yourself! In School Mentoring Program Sports…Reading…Crafts… a chance to be a kid again! Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

10. The mentor is not a counsellor or tutor. The Mentor is there to: Provide friendship, be a role model, and have FUN! What does a Mentor do? Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

11. Children who spend time with a mentor: Gain confidence and improve self esteem Acquire new skills and competencies The mentor is not a counsellor or tutor. The Mentor is there to: Provide friendship, be a role model, and have FUN! What does a Mentor do? Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

12. Children who have a mentor: Gain confidence and improve self esteem Acquire new skills and competencies The mentor is not a counsellor or tutor. The Mentor is there to: Provide friendship, be a role model, and have FUN! What does a Mentor do? “After four months of being a mentor, I’ve noticed that she is more outgoing and more excited for the visits. In the beginning it was like she didn’t expect me to come back, but now she realizes that I will. It took her awhile to open up and relax, but now it feels like a genuine friendship.” Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

13. “I don’t have the time.” Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

14. “I don’t have the time.”Yes you do! Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

15. “I don’t have the time.”Yes you do! This program is designed to fit into any fast paced lifestyle. Mentors visit the student for one hour each week within the school environment. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

16. “I don’t have the time.”Yes you do! This program is designed to fit into any fast paced lifestyle. Mentors visit the student for one hour each week within the school environment. During school day only Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

17. “I don’t have the time.”Yes you do! This program is designed to fit into any fast paced lifestyle. Mentors visit the student for one hour each week within the school environment. During schoolday / or during a before school or after school program. Only when school is in session, no weekends (not during school breaks, summer, Christmas). Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

18. “I don’t have the time.”Yes you do! This program is designed to fit into any fast paced lifestyle. Mentors visit the student for one hour each week within the school environment. During schoolday / or during a before school or after school program. Only when school is in session, no weekends (not during school breaks, summer, christmas). Program has built in flexibility to accommodate your weekly schedule. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

19. A little time makes a BIG difference! Resource and Guide Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

20. A little time makes a BIG difference! Participate in fun and meaningful activities which they choose with you while in the comfort of their school environment. Resource and Guide Friend & Listener Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

21. A little time makes a BIG difference! Participate in fun and meaningful activities which they choose with you while in the comfort of their school environment. Resource and Guide Friend & Listener Positive Role Model Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

22. A little time makes a BIG difference! Participate in fun and meaningful activities which they choose with you while in the comfort of their school environment. Resource and Guide Friend & Listener Positive Role Model Adult Companion Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

23. A little time makes a BIG difference! Participate in fun and meaningful activities which they choose with you while in the comfort of their school environment. Resource and Guide Friend & Listener Positive Role Model Adult Companion Their Mentor! Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

24. A little time makes a BIG difference! Participate in fun and meaningful activities which they choose with you while in the comfort of their school environment. Build a child’s self esteem while having fun! Resource and Guide Friend & Listener Positive Role Model Adult Companion Their Mentor! “I love being an in school mentor because I know I’m helping a child and because it is so much fun – so much more than I thought it would be!” Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

25. How can you be involved? • Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters • agency most convenient to you. Greater Fort Erie Big Brothers Big Sisters Sondra Barrett Executive Director 905-871-8836 Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

26. How can you be involved? • Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters • agency most convenient to you. • Meet with an agency representative • to discuss your preferences and interests Greater Fort Erie Big Brothers Big Sisters Sondra Barrett Executive Director 905-871-8836 Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

27. How can you be involved? • Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters • agency most convenient to you. • Meet with a placement coordinator • to discuss your preferences and interests • They will identify a child who would be • thrilled to have you as their Mentor. Greater Fort Erie Big Brothers Big Sisters Sondra Barrett Executive Director 905-871-8836 Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

28. How can you be involved? • Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters • agency most convenient to you. • Meet with a placement coordinator • to discuss your preferences and interests • They will identify a child who would be • thrilled to have you as their Mentor. • Big Brothers Big Sisters walks you • through every step of the way… Greater Fort Erie Big Brothers Big Sisters Sondra Barrett Executive Director 905-871-8836 Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

29. How can you be involved? Greater Fort ErieBig Brothers Big Sisters Sondra Barrett Executive Director905-871-8836 • Contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters • agency most convenient to you. • Meet with a placement coordinator • to discuss your preferences and interests • They will identify a child who would be • thrilled to have you as their mentor. • Big Brothers Big Sisters walks you • through every step of the way… • Prepare to see a child’s eyes light up • every time they see you! Hundreds of kids could benefit from this • program if more mentors came forward! Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara Barb Van Der Heyden Executive Director 905-735-0570 ext. 23 Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters Jon Braithwaite Executive Director 905-357-5454 ext. 222 Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

30. Additional Volunteer Opportunities Traditional Match This is the primary service offered by the agency. Children are matched in one-to-one relationships with adult volunteers who serve as positive role models. Children in the program are between the ages of 6 and 16. Couples for Kids Similar to the traditional match, but in this instance a couple is matched to one child for a unique two-to-one friendship. Some children may benefit more from this special friendship by spending time with a caring and respectful couple. Both adults must be at least 20 years of age and together for at least one year. Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Developed for girls, aged 12 to 14, Go Girls!uses a mentor approach to provide girls with the information they need to make informed choices about healthy, active living during a particularly challenging stage of development. Go Girls! is led by female mentors between the ages of 18 and 25 and runs in schools for seven one to two hour sessions once per week. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

31. Employer Supported Volunteerism • Corporations have long been involved in charitable activities. Often these programs have existed at arms length from the company; however, recent trends have increased the number of employers who are willing to give their employees time off from work to volunteer. • The Big Brothers Big Sisters “In School Mentoring” program represents an excellent opportunity to capitalize on this growing trend. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program

32. Thedirect influence of In School Mentoring (ISM) on volunteer productivity, morale and attitude. • Community Impacts • 85% of volunteers feel they are having a more positive influence on the community • 77% like working for their company more because they actively support charities • External Impacts • 62% have a better image of their company • 61% speak better of their company • 61% are more likely to recommend working • for their company • Internal Impacts • 66% are more proud of the company they work for • 65% feel their company is an even better company to work for • 62% feel they are having a more positive influence on morale at work • 58% consider themselves more of a leader among their peers at work 2005 Northstar Research Study • ISM Volunteers’ positive perceptions of morale and job fulfillment are shaped, in part, by their appreciation of their company’s active participation. Big Brothers Big Sisters In School Mentoring Program