1. What are the vision and goals of the agency?
1.1. Provide quality mentoring relationships to young people in need, helping them reach their potential.
1.1.1. Cultivate quality Service
1.1.2. Champion potential
1.1.3. Strengthen community
1.1.4. Nurture every relationship
2. Upcoming Events
2.1. Family BBQ
2.1.1. 19-Aug-2017, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Family BBQ London Life Recreation Grounds 2 Oxford St. E, A fun family BBQ for our matches families and those on our waiting list.
2.2. 29th Annual Barbara Rankin Golf Classic
2.2.1. 15-Sep-2017 29th Annual Barbara Rankin Golf Classic 850 Sunninghill Ave, London, ON N6H 3L9 Join us for the 29th Annual Barbara Rankin Golf Classic
2.3. Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area AGM
2.3.1. 25-Sep-2017, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Big Brothers Big Sisters of London and Area AGM Kinsmen Arena 20 Gransville St. London, Ontario Join us as we celebrate our year and look to the future!
3. How are services/programs accessed?
3.1. Commitment to Excellence
3.1.1. BBBSOLA programs and services positively impact clients and the community. Many respondents specifically commented on the quality and value of the programs, events, and services that the organization provides. A wide range of stakeholders commented that the organization is committed to providing a spectrum of services that meet the needs of children, youth, mentors, and volunteers. Respondents noted that it is important for BBBSOLA to continue to focus on the improvement and evolution of programming each year to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
3.2. Keeping up with Trends
3.2.1. Stakeholders commented on the importance of staying up to date with current trends and research regarding mentorship and child and youth development. For example, one respondent described the importance and value of having programs that are supported by research studies. Stakeholders also highlighted their belief that BBBSOLA be aware of present and future trends in the community so that programming and services can be directed in an appropriate manner. For example, respondents noted trends in technology, Internet, and cyber bullying as topics that may be worth exploring within programming.
3.3. Opportunities for Growth and Expansion
3.3.1. It was noted in the stakeholder engagement process that BBBSOLA might want to explore opportunities for expanding the geographical service area for existing programs, as well as looking for opportunities to serve new populations within the existing geographic service area. Some respondents suggested that communities surrounding London such as Dorchester, Glencoe, Strathroy, and Thorndale might be areas that are missing access to child and youth mentorship programming.
3.4. Matching Process
3.4.1. The matching process at BBBSOLA involves a number of steps to facilitate a successful and appropriate match between a child and mentor. Many respondents spoke highly of the intake or screening process for volunteers or mentors. The process can be lengthy, but many respondents described it as thorough and understood the priority of ensuring children’s safety. Others commented on the intentionality of the matching process of children and mentors. A number of respondents commented on the thorough communication between volunteers, clients, and families throughout the entire matching process to ensure all parties feel included and informed. BBBSOLA should continue to focus on creating appropriate matches to foster successful relationships between volunteers and clients.
3.5. Wait-list Management
3.5.1. A recurring theme was the length of the waitlist for children or youth to be matched with a mentor. Some respondents shared their perception that there might be individuals who have waited for a match for a lengthy period. BBBSOLA understands the importance of making the right match and will want to seek opportunities within the strategic plan to address these concerns. Some suggestions provided by stakeholders to manage the waitlist include recruiting more volunteers, creating more mixed-gender matches, planning more group activities for unmatched children to attend, and providing regular communication with clients and families on the waitlist throughout the year
4. What services/programs for Ontario students and their families?
4.1. Ethno-Racial Youth Mentoring Program (ERYM)
4.1.1. ERYM is a mentoring program for newcomer youth between the ages of 9 and 13 and is designed to engage and slowly develop relationships of trust, where resiliency of youth and families can be celebrated. ERYM honours, respects and works with the realities that youth and families face as they transition into the Canadian culture.
4.2. Go Girls! Group Mentoring
4.2.1. Go Girls! is a group mentoring program for girls ages 12-14 that focuses on physical activity, balanced eating and self-esteem. The single, most important goal of the program is to positively shape the lives of young women and girls by helping them build a positive self-image – setting them on a path to reach their full potential in life.
4.3. Game On! Group Mentoring
4.3.1. Game On! is a group mentoring program for providing boys and young men with information and support to make informed choices about a range of healthy lifestyle practices. Through non-traditional physical activities, complemented with healthy eating support, participants are engaged in life skills, communication, and emotional health discussions designed to engage participants in the pursuit of life-long healthy lifestyles.
4.4. Big Brothers Mentoring
4.4.1. The Big Brothers Mentoring program provides boys and young men with a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee, that is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers. The result is a life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee.
4.5. Big Sisters Mentoring
4.5.1. The Big Sisters Mentoring program provides girls and young women with a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee, that is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers. The result is a life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee.
4.6. CONNECT2Mentoring
4.6.1. Is your child between the ages of 5-8 or 9-12 years old? C2M focuses on teaching children about healthy relationships, how to make good friends and find mentors, all while having fun.
4.7. In-School Mentoring
4.7.1. Our In-School mentoring programs provide girls and boys with a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with, within school grounds. For one hour a week, mentors meet with their mentee and engage in activities such as board games, crafts or just hang out in the playground.
4.7.2. Libro sees the BIG need!
4.7.2.1. Staff members from Strathroy Libro Financial Group volunteer during their lunch break once a week at a local Strathroy Elementary School as mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area’s Brothers & Sisters in School program. This one to one mentoring program matches a mentor with a mentee in grades one through five. They spend time building a relationship, playing games, doing crafts, and other fun activities.
4.8. Conversation Club
4.8.1. A new program starting fall 2012, Conversation Club is a group mentoring program for newcomer students in high school who are looking to meet new people and seeking to better learn and apply the English language.
4.9. Bigs On Campus
4.9.1. Bigs on Campus is a Western University group run by Western students in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of London & Area that provides programming to our mentees (ages 13 and up), both in one to one matches and awaiting a match.
5. How does the agency address equity, inclusion and awareness of cultural diversity?
5.1. Ethno-Racial Youth Mentoring Program (ERYM)
5.1.1. ERYM has two primary goals:
5.1.2. To foster a relationship between Ethno-Racial youth, particularly those who may be at-risk, with a caring adult.
5.1.3. To foster a relationship between the mother of a youth program participant with a mother mentor.
5.1.4. ERYM is a mentoring program for newcomer youth between the ages of 9 and 13 and is designed to engage and slowly develop relationships of trust, where resiliency of youth and families can be celebrated. ERYM honours, respects and works with the realities that youth and families face as they transition into the Canadian culture.
5.2. Conversation Club
5.2.1. A new program starting fall 2012, Conversation Club is a group mentoring program for newcomer students in high school who are looking to meet new people and seeking to better learn and apply the English language.
5.2.2. This unique program seeks to group newcomers with dedicated young adult mentors (ages 18-24) to encourage learning of language and culture through fun activities, games, and homework help.