Written By Olena Riznyk
LUCAN BIDDULPH – At the August 13 council meeting, representatives Laura Ross and Meghan Hartman from Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron provided an informative overview of the organization’s extensive programs and the crucial role they play in supporting local youth. Despite the organization’s name suggesting a focus solely on South Huron, Ross and Hartman clarified that their service area is much broader, encompassing communities such as Lucan, Parkhill, Ailsa Craig, Grand Bend, Bayfield, Clinton, and Exeter.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron is dedicated to fostering life-changing mentoring relationships that unlock the potential of young people. To this end, the organization offers a variety of programs designed for children and youth aged 6 to 18, all of which are provided free of charge.
The organization operates several key programs that cater to different needs within the community. Traditional Mentoring is a community-based initiative where activities are carried out either in the volunteer’s home or within the local area. This program offers a range of match types, including Big Brother and Big Sister pairings, cross-gender matches, and family-oriented mentoring.
In-School Mentoring is a school-based program that provides consistent support to students during the academic year. This program focuses on creating a stable, supportive environment for children within their schools. Big Bunch, another program, offers an eight-week session for groups of Littles—children who are on the waiting list for individual mentors. This program includes various activities facilitated by agency staff and volunteers, as well as special events like a summer day trip and a pool party.
Additionally, the organization offers the Go Girls! and Game On! programs, which are group mentoring initiatives aimed at students in grades 5 to 8. These programs are designed to promote self-esteem, active living, healthy eating, and overall well-being through engaging, non-traditional physical activities.
Funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron primarily comes from community support, including fundraisers, grants, and donations, which account for 96.5% of their funding. Contrary to common belief, the organization does not receive core funding from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada; instead, they pay membership fees to be part of the national body.
Council members expressed their appreciation for the work being done by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron and pledged to assist in raising awareness in their respective communities. The organization’s representatives encouraged anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about their programs to visit their website or contact their office directly.
