NEWS RELEASE
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GUELPH
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The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Guelph flag was raised at City Hall Tuesday, Sept. 18, in honour of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Day, a celebration of mentoring among the 108 BBBS agencies across Canada.
Volunteers, staff, City Councillors and representatives from the Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board were in attendance, as well as BBBS Executive Director, Michael Treadgold and Mayor Cam Guthrie.
“We are pleased to support local children and youth, matching them with a volunteer role model, a mentor and a friend. Through the support of our community partners, volunteers and our friends throughout the city, we are making a collective and impactful difference in the lives of so many children right here in Guelph,” said Treadgold. “Through the gift of mentoring, we are shaping the minds of the future leaders of this community, leading them on the path to success, inspiring them to reach their full potential.”
Across Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring programs to over 40,000 young people, and in Guelph, more than 675 youth are served.
“Mentoring is what we do,” said Ashley Maginnis, fund development and communications coordinator at BBBSG. “We’ve been doing it for over 100 years in Canada and more than 50 years in Guelph, bringing positive adult role models together with children.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph anticipates that with the growth of the community, more than 800 children will be served by BBBSG by the year 2020. With the growing number of children waiting to be matched, BBBSG continues to stress volunteer recruitment as their main focus.
With 137 youth currently waiting to be matched, mentors from all regions and cultural backgrounds across the gender spectrum are needed; however, the demand for male volunteers is especially high.
“Volunteering only requires an hour or two each week” said Maginnis. “And you’re not restricted to just serving as mentors. There are lots of events that take place throughout the year.”
For more information on the agency or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph at 519-824-5154 or [email protected]. You can also visit the website. Imagine who they will become because of you!
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