Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County Launch New Mentoring Program Thanks to $67,800 OTF Grant
On Thursday, local MPP Ernie Hardeman met with the team at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County to celebrate $67,800 Seed grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant funded the creation of a new pilot program aimed to connect high school students with elementary students through mentorship and academic support.
“Congratulations to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County on receiving this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “This innovative mentoring program will not only support literacy, but also build confidence in young students while empowering high school mentors to make a lasting impact in our community.”
The OTF grant funded the creation of BBBS Oxford’s Teen Literacy Mentoring program. The program connects high school mentors with students in grades 1 to 6 for weekly 70-minute one-to-one sessions at a local elementary school held after school. These engaging sessions focus on academic support, including homework help, school projects, and literacy development. Through fun, interactive activities, mentors build meaningful developmental relationships with their mentees, while agency staff oversee each session to provide consistent guidance and support.
“We are thrilled to see the Teen Literacy Mentoring program grow from a small pilot into a thriving initiative that is already making a real difference for children in Oxford County,” says Kristen Ralph, BBBS Oxford Executive Director. “This year we are excited to welcome teen mentors who are ready to inspire, encourage, and support younger students in their learning journey, while also developing key leadership skills of their own. With the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s support, we are able to give both mentors and mentees an opportunity to shine, grow, and build brighter futures together.”
During the pilot project and launch of the new program in the 2024/2025 school year, there were 19 teen mentors and 20 mentees. For the 2025/2026 year, we have 19 mentors and mentees matched to start in October with mentor applications and mentee enrollments coming in.
Teen Literacy Mentoring offers high school students an opportunity to make a lasting difference in their community. While empowering younger students to succeed, mentors gain valuable life experience while earning Community Involvement hours, building impressive volunteer resumes, and receiving reference letters. The program also encourages creative expression, personal growth, and the development of essential career and interpersonal skills, making it a mutually enriching experience for everyone involved.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.