Our Mission
To impact the lives of young people and volunteers through the power of mentoring.
Our Vision
Every young person has a mentor.
Our Organization
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area is an incorporated non-profit registered charity that was founded by the Canadian Progress Clubs of Calgary in 1994, through the merger of Uncles at Large, Aunts at Large and Big Sisters of Calgary. In 2008-2009 we served more than 1,300 young people through our mentorship programs and services. We are an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Registered Charity # 14015 1259 RR0001
Our Staff
Our Human Service Professionals match our young people to a caring adult volunteers who shares similar interests. Volunteers are thoroughly screened, matched and trained to ensure the safety of the children and youth. Staff monitor the matches and provide ongoing support to the volunteers, families and youth.
Volunteers Make a Difference
More than 100,000 hours of volunteer service are provided to us each year by our caring mentors, Board of Directors and support volunteers. Our volunteer Board of Directors is made up of representatives from Corporate Calgary, the community, Canadian Progress Clubs and a Big Sister/Big Brother representative.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring refers to the meaningful relationship that develops between a caring adult volunteer and a young person when they are matched.The bonding and support that takes place in these one-to-one friendships help youth overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
Whom Do We Serve?
In our Big Brother/Big Sister/Big Couple, Immigrant Girls Club-Based Mentoring and Recreation Mentoring programs we serve Calgary and area youth, six to 18 years of age. In our Between Generations Mentoring, In-school Mentoring, mPower Youth Mentoring and Teen Mentoring programs, we serve Calgary and area youth from age six to 18.
Our children and youth are referred to us by their teachers and families who believe that they would benefit from a caring adult volunteer mentor.
Impacts of Mentoring
Research has shown the following positive benefits to youth who have access to our program:
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90% of the children had improved relations with their peers
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75% showed an increase in grades and attendance
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80% graduated from high school compared to their unmatched peers
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78% of the children from a social assistance background no longer relied on this form of support
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45% were less likely than a control group to initiate drug use
Big Brothers/Big Sisters school-based mentoring: An evaluation summary of five pilot programs. Big Brothers and Big Sisters research data.
Community Benefits
Our communitybenefits by having a reduction in school dropouts, poverty, drug use, mental health problems and crime. This represents just some of the positive outcomes that result when youth are matched to a mentor.
Our programs are preventative and help ensure that youth become productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our community - socially, professionally and personally.
