1. Factors that will be considered in a child's placement into one of the BBBSP include: parent/guardian support, adult involvement other than the parents or guardians, peer relationships, school performance, involvement in community activities, ability to form and maintain a healthy, safe relationship, living environment, ability to perform self care
2. What services and programs are offered to students and families?
2.1. Big Brothers Big Sister's Mentoring
2.1.1. Children ages 6-17
2.1.1.1. Mentor and mentee are matched up based on common interests
2.2. "Group Mentoring"
2.2.1. Group of 5 volunteers mentor a group of 10 children
2.3. "Big Bunch"
2.3.1. Group program designed for children that are waiting to be matched with a mentor
2.4. In School Mentoring
2.4.1. Works in partnership with Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel District school Board
2.4.1.1. Matches caring adult mentors with elementary grade girls and boys
2.4.1.1.1. Mentor and Mentee meet once a week every week during school time and on school property to engage in fun activities such as board games, baking, art activities or sports
2.4.2. "Go Girls"
2.4.2.1. In school mentoring program which specifically focuses on girls in grades 7 and 8.
2.4.2.1.1. Meetings happen during school hours and on school property
2.4.3. "Game On"
2.4.3.1. In school mentoring program which specifically focuses on boys ages 11-14
2.4.3.1.1. Focuses on healthy living through healthy eating and active living.
2.4.4. "Teen Mentoring"
2.4.4.1. Collaboration between BBBSP and PDSB and DPDSB
2.4.4.1.1. Matching high school mentors to elementary students in near by schools
2.4.5. "Math Jump"
2.4.5.1. Specifically offered at Ellengale Public school and St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
2.4.5.1.1. Focuses Mentor and Mentees time in three particular areas of mental math, practicing math skills and playing numeracy games together
2.5. Programs offered for Newcomers to Canada
2.5.1. "Conversation club"
2.5.1.1. Focuses on youth ages 12-18
2.5.1.1.1. Gives youth the opportunity for social interaction with you mentors. Mentors meet weekly in a group setting to participate in workshops, field trips, group games and activities. The program focuses on English language concernsation and presentation skills, learning about Canada, sharing common experiences and increasing peer connections across cultures
2.5.2. "Newcomer Art Program"
2.5.2.1. Program focusing on children grades 2-5 at elementary schools in Mississauga
2.5.2.1.1. Program provides opportunities for self expression, English Language skill development and supportive interactions with mentors
2.5.3. "Be the Change"
2.5.3.1. Youth ages 15-24
2.5.3.1.1. Meetings happen at the Brampton Secondary School
2.5.4. "Go Girls!"
2.5.4.1. School based mentoring program for girls in grades 7-8 that have recently arrived as a refugee or newcomer.
2.5.4.1.1. Program is run from an anti-oppressive lens to promote active living, healthy eating and confidence building
2.6. "BCAC Mentoring Program"
2.6.1. Partnered with the Black Community Advisory Council of the United Way
2.6.1.1. Program matches black youth with black adult mentors to promote strong cultural and self identity
2.6.1.1.1. Focuses on fun and low cost outings including participating in various cultural activities to help youth feel rooted in their community.
3. How are services/programs accessed?
3.1. A school is able to refer a student to the BBBSP
4. Other pertinent Information?
4.1. All mentors are screened and must have a clean police record check
5. What are the visions and goals of BBBSP
5.1. Many children in Canada face barriers in society and/or face adversities in life. When children are left to face these challenges alone it can create "toxic stress in the brain that can negatively impact development.
5.1.1. With the support of a mentor the child's risks can be reduced or even avoided. The mentor provides positive experiences in which the child can build a relationship with a role model that is there for them, to listen to them and develop appropriate life and social skills.
5.2. Provide children with a mentor to talk to, encourage them, allow them to participate in a variety of experiences that they would not otherwise have had the chance to participate in. In so doing they are building a positive relationship with students that are challenged by living conditions, family violence, risk factors for mental health, school issues and identity challenges
5.3. Stop cycles of poverty, crime and developing mental health issues
5.4. Youth are reminded that they can dream of being anything
5.5. Mentors advise and challenge youth and act as their champion. They provide greater consistency in their lives and connect them to broader experiences, opportunities and networks. They provide a safe, non-judgemental environment in which the child can confide anything
5.6. Increase self-esteem, improved relationships with peers and family and improved attitudes towards school
6. How does BBBSP address issues of equity, inclusion and awareness of cultural diversity?
6.1. BBBSP runs several programs that supports youth's individual cultures. For example their BCAC mentoring program focuses on emerging black youth into their culture by participating in a variety of cultural activities within their community
6.1.1. BBBSP focuses on supporting newcomers to Canada by offering mentoring experiences to connect and share common experiences and build the mentees English Language skills. In their newcomer art program, mentors are focusing on using creative art, drama and music to connect students, which could possibly be directly connected to their culture.
6.1.1.1. As I saw in the Ministry of Education video around multilingual students it is important to embrace the student's culture within the classroom and allow them to use it to demonstrate their learning and abilities. Learning becomes relevant and students may be able to better express what they know when they are able to use their first language. One of the students in the video even said that he found it easier to learn the English language when he was able to work in his first language (Hebrew) and translate his work into English.
6.2. Because of the ratio of mentor to mentee, the mentor is able to focus on the specific needs of each individual child. Not every child needs to receive the same level of support from their mentor. The programs are flexible and based on what the individual child needs.
6.3. Programs are offered to all youth
6.4. The mentors and other program organizers reflect the diversity of Peel Region: single/dual parent families, diverse cultural backgrounds and religions, languages, socio-economic status, interests, strengths and challenges
6.5. 57% of program volunteers identified themselves as coming from a diverse background and 71% of children and youth identified themselves as coming from a diverse background
6.6. Parents are able to enrol their child in the BBBSP online. You can find the application form online to have one of the Enrollment Coordinators contact you and review their child's needs. At this point the Enrollment Coordinator will be able to determine how a mentor could benefit their child.
6.6.1. Parent Orientation/information package will be sent by mail or email
6.6.1.1. Complete and submit application for services
6.6.1.1.1. Attend the Pre-match training and orientation to get an overview of BBBSPs programs, their confidential nature, the agencies responsibilities and expectations for the parent and child, matching process, child safety information