The holiday season is a time of sharing joy, celebration, gathering, and reflection. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County, we take this time to express our gratitude for our mentees, mentors, caregivers, donors, sponsors, and supporters. We celebrate our successes and acknowledge the dedication and generosity of our community to make this possible.
In Oxford County this past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters have:
- Received 282 child application/intakes.
- Matched 391 young people in new programs, including 108 new one-to-one mentoring matches, and in 283 group programs.
- Provided direct services to 545 young people, offering stability, support, and opportunities to grow.
- Matched 79 volunteer mentors in our programs, including one-to-one and group mentoring.
As we celebrate the successes we have experienced, we also recognize that the need for support is growing in Oxford County. With approximately 145 young people on our waitlist, and as an agency that does not receive core or ongoing government funding, we know the year ahead will come with continued challenges. Recruiting new volunteer mentors and maintaining financial supports to ensure our programs remain barrier free to young people and their families, as all of our programs are offered at no cost.
“This holiday season, BBBBSOC is asking you to consider giving the Gift of Guidance and the Gift of Potential,” says Manager of Communications, Liz Wismer-Van Meer. “You can apply to become a mentor, or share our need for volunteer mentors with your family, friends, and colleagues. If you know someone who would be a wonderful mentor, encourage them to reach out to BBBSOC and learn more about being a mentor in Oxford County. Or make a monetary donation to Ignite Potential and create a life-changing opportunity for a young person in your community.”
We are thrilled to receive an extremely generous donation of $5,000 from Mary Ellen and Harvey Hunt to initiate our Holiday Giving campaign this year. Mary Ellen is challenging others give as they can, “Every child deserves a chance to thrive, and BBBSOC provides that pathway. By contributing to this holiday campaign, I hope to inspire others to give what they can and help create life-changing opportunities for our young people.”
Donations are available online or at our Ingersoll and Woodstock offices where cash, cheque, debit or credit are accepted (oxford.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/ways-to-give/holidaygiving2024/).
Follow Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County on our social media channels as we countdown the “12 Days of Holiday Giving with BBBSOC.”
As we reflect on the generosity that strengthens our mission, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County. Your contributions create opportunities that shape brighter futures for young people in our community. Thank you for believing in the power of mentorship and being a part of something truly transformative.
