When there are so many wonderful charities to support, here are the TOP 10 reasons to CHOOSE Big Brothers Big Sisters...

1.  We are part of the leading youth mentoring organization in Canada.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC) is the leading youth mentoring organization in Canada. It is committed to serving children and youth across the country by providing them with the highest quality one-to-one relationships with screened, caring volunteer mentors. BBBSC currently has 150 agencies in over 1000 communities nation-wide and are serving more than 23,000 children. Another 10,000 children are eagerly waiting to be matched.

At our agency, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sudbury, we serve over 200 children and their families along with over 120 caring volunteers every year. 

2.  We are NOT funded by the government.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sudbury is NOT government funded and MUST fundraise over 60% of our total budget each year  to continue to serve our quality mentoring programs.

3.  We offer our services for FREE to the community.

We do not charge any fees to recruit, screen, monitor, and support the volunteers, youth, children and their families that we interact with every year.

4.  We are one of the MOST cost-effective charities in the industry.   Through the recruitment and development of caring and giving volunteers, we can effectively make your funds go further. Bottom line ... we use money wisely! 

5.  Our mentoring programs have "life-long", positive impacts.

Research of the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in both Canada and the United States show that the provision of a mentor (a positive adult role model) directly contributes to increased academic achievement, better family and peer relationships, a substantially lower reliance on social assistance, and more successful transition from school to work.  In addition, the young person is less likely to be involved in drugs, underage drinking and smoking, violent behavior and criminal activity.

Specific results include:

• “Littles” were 46% less likely to initiate drug use than their peers
• Overall, mentees were 27% less likely to begin alcohol use while they were in the program
• “Littles” missed half as many days and fewer classes than peers without a mentor
• 78% of all mentees who came from a social assistance background, no longer rely on social assistance themselves
• 20% higher graduation rate than the national average

6.  We are accredited by our National body.

We are supported and accredited by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC).  BBBSC has established National Standards that have served to support our work, evolving to incorporate good ideas and effective practices.  As we grow and as we learn from research and practice, we need to ensure the Standards continue to reflect our collective knowledge and future direction, particularly in light of the many mentoring innovations being implemented throughout the BBBS network.

The National Standards form the foundation of the National Accreditation Program.  Inherent in the Standards is the belief that quality services are provided by agencies whose organizational and service delivery management components meet and/or exceed certain requirements.  The benefits are extremely significant.

7.  We have accredited, professional caseworkers.

We have some of the most caring, well-trained, experienced, professional caseworkers to provide the volunteers, youth, children and their families with the best possible support.

8.  We provide exceptional, invaluable volunteer opportunities.

A large portion of our volunteers are students from our local colleges and university.  They rely heavily on Big Brothers Big Sister  of Sudbury to provide a safe, well supported volunteer experience. We also have college and university Student Placement Opportunities that can help build their life-skills, self-esteem, and experience in their selected career field.

9.  We offer an unparalleled volunteer experience.

As a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada you are required to subscribe to the national insurance policy, which offers the most complete coverage available in the industry.  We strive to meet or exceed all national standards designed to address all types of risks.

10.  Our community grows stronger!

Our great outcomes spread beyond the children and families we serve.  Almost all of the children we serve embrace our programs and mature to become more productive, contributing members of society.  These positive impacts resonate through the community and have lasting impacts.  In turn, local businesses and corporations benefit.

We create success one child at a time.  Then, it's like a ripple effect in the community!