Organization says it needs urgently needs volunteers.
Over 53 children and youth are currently waiting to be matched with a caring adult in the Cowichan Valley. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley officially launch a campaign today to draw attention to the urgent need for more volunteers.
They are calling on Cowichan Valley residents to give a small amount of their time to a child. Making that impact and changing a child’s future takes less time than people think. They offer a wide range of mentoring opportunities: one-to-one matches, in-school mentoring, and 7-week group mentoring programs.
While mentors from all regions and cultural backgrounds across the gender spectrum are needed, the demand for male volunteers is especially high. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley have 21 boys waiting for a big brother in the community program alone. Volunteering for only one hour a week can change the course of a young life.
“Many young children and youth face mutilple challenges in their lives such as divorce, deaths in the family, lack of established social skills or peer socialization, skills to build healthy relationships, bullying and self esteem concerns” says Executive Director Erin Generous. “When they experience regular contact with a mentor who listens, encourages and supports them, they’re in a position to accomplish new goals and grow in many new ways that builds them up for success.”
The two-way, back and forth relationship between a mentor and mentee positively impacts brain development and equips youth with the skills needed to deal with adversities and stress they face in a complicated world.
Youth who have been mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters programming are 17% more likely to be gainfully employed as adults and they earn 13% more on average in those jobs, resulting in $315,000 of increased earnings over their career. They also have stronger social networks and report being happier and more confident.
This newly launched recruitment campaign captures the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters programming by showcasing current mentoring relationships in the Cowichan Valley. The campaign gives potential volunteers and a glimpse of the community change they can support with just a little of their time.
Mentoring is great way to strengthen one’s connection to community, create bonds, as well as boost academic applications and resumes.
For more information on how to volunteer:
www.bbbscowichan.ca | BigBrothersCowichan@gmail.com | 250-748-2447
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley
Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Cowichan Valley has been creating friendships since 1972. They started out matching Big Brothers with Little Brothers and added Big and Little Sisters a few years later. They have grown to include a variety of different programs that serve both boys and girls. They are proud of our achievements and continue to strive to be on the leading edge of the Big Brothers Big Sisters movement in Canada.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley currently serve the Chemainus, Duncan, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay, Youbou, and Cowichan Lake areas.
Media contact:
Erin Generous
Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Cowichan Valley
Email: erin.generous@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Tel: 250-748-2447