Dear friends,

I have been blessed for the past twenty-five years by being involved in an organization that has had major impact on the youth of our community.   I have been fortunate to witness the growth of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sudbury and growing it did.  I first got involved when Big Brothers was one agency and our programs were mainly the traditional matches of Big Brothers and Little Brothers.  We had endless waiting list and our biggest fear was that many would never have the opportunity to be matched. 

Since then we gradually implemented new programs such as the While he waits; this program involves children on our waiting list in a variety of activities such as camping trips, fishing weekends, trips to Canada’s Wonderland, Christmas party and much more.

Our Board of Directors realized we needed more programs in order to meet the needs of our kids.  Over the years we began the Couple matches, the Family matches, the Cross Gender matches and our Friends for a Day program, which are all new ways to involve more volunteers to become mentors to our kids. 

In order to reach even more children in need we implemented the In School Mentoring Program, which became a huge success.  Since, the mentoring program has become synonymous with Big Brothers Big Sisters Associations across Canada. 

In 2007, with great pride and joy I witnessed the merge of two great agencies. Big Brothers Big Sister legally became Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury.  This merge has been a positive step for both agencies and applauded by the Sudbury Community and our funding partners.  We also became members of the United Way Centraide and with their help we are able to increase our casework staff to meet the needs of our members.

It has been a busy but fruitful twenty-five years and I am proud to have been part of it.   Although our Association has tripled in size we are far from being done, we have so much more to accomplish.  We need to reach our main goal which is “ Every child who needs a mentor has a mentor” it may seem endless.   The Board of Directors and Staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters are committed to work endlessly to accomplish these goals and increase our volunteer base.  There is no greater joy for mentor to know that he/she has made a positive impact in a child’s life. 

I proudly invite you to join our team and take a moment to make a difference.  To day’s youth is tomorrow’s future, take this opportunity to make a positive difference in a child’s life by becoming a mentor.  We are waiting for YOU.

Yours in service to the Children,

Casey Laurin,

President