CELEBRATE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MONTH WITH BBBS OXFORD!
Join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County in recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters Month. Together, we will celebrate mentorship and raise awareness about the critical need for mentors. Each September, we proudly celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters Month across Canada, recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters Day on September 18th. For over a century, our mentorship programs have inspired thousands of Canadians to help young people realize their potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates over 55 years of mentoring in Oxford County; since 1969, collectively, BBBS Oxford has been making a positive difference in the lives of local children & youth by developing and implementing a wide range of mentoring programs.
Because of you…
Young people have someone in their corner!
When you Volunteer as a Mentor – you are igniting the power & potential of a child, helping build confidence and resilience.
When you Donate to our Agency – you are the spark that ignites possibilities, creates matches and brighter futures.
TURN THE TOWN TEAL & ORANGE
BBBS Oxford is thrilled to announce a collaboration with our friends at Two Row Culture & Community Centre. This September we are launching the Turn the Town Teal & Orange campaign to recognize BBBS Month and the 2nd Annual Truth and Reconciliation March Sunday, September 27. This campaign encourages Oxford County to decorate their businesses, offices and workplaces in Teal & Orange for two extremely important causes in our community:
Teal represents mentorship and the vital role it plays in the development and growth of children & youth. Statistics show that one additional consistent and supportive adult in a child’s life can lead to measurable outcomes in social emotional competence, mental health & well-being, as well as educational engagement & employment readiness.
Orange honours the children who never came home from residential schools, the Survivors, their families, and the generations who continue to carry the impacts of that history. It is a call for all of us to learn, listen, remember, and take meaningful steps toward Truth and Reconciliation.
Be A Mentor
BBBS Oxford continues to witness an increase of youth enrollment in our programs and a growing number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among young people. In a recent completed by BBBS Oxford, we dove into ‘What ACEs Data Tells Us About Youth in our Program.’ The data, collected from 273 young people over three years, shows a strong pattern that adversity is highly social and relational in nature. Children & youth need more than short-term support; they need safe, stable, professionally supported relationships. Statistics underscore the significant impact that one additional supportive developmental relationship can have on a child’s life, and help mitigate the effects of ACEs.
Read the full report here: The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences Final Report
In Oxford County, roughly 140 young people are waiting to be matched with a mentor, not including the youth enrolled through our school-based programs like In-School and Literacy Mentoring. In as little as one hour a week, you can make a lasting impact by igniting a young person’s potential in your community.
When you donate to BBBS Oxford, your funds stays in the community, directly supporting our mentoring programs and services. All of our programs, 1:1 and groups are offered at no cost to the children, youth and caregivers we work with. As a frontline social service agency that does not receive ongoing core funding, your contribution is critical to ensure we offer barrier-free programs and that every child who needs a mentor, has access to a mentor.
Continuing from the “Layered Adversity Lasting Impact Report,” we know that as adversity becomes more complex, the need for stable trusted relationships becomes more urgent. Data from our 1:1 mentoring program shows that several young people are navigating layered experiences that affect their safety, stability, belonging and well-being. It also reinforces something hopeful: when a young person has access to safe, supportive, professionally guided relationships, the impact of adversity can be reduced and resilience can grow.
Your donation to BBBS Oxford equips us to meet that need through barrier-free programming, professional casework, carefully screened volunteers and a service model that is both relationship-centred and accountable. It allows us to not only respond to the realities young people face today but help prevent those adversities from shaping their future.
Turn the Town Teal & Orange Registration Form
Turn The Town Teal & Orange
Register to participate in BBBS Oxford & Two Row Culture Centre's joint campaign for the month of September, recognizing the Big Brothers Big Sisters Month and National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. The kits will include various décor items in teal & orange to decorate your storefront, lunch room, office space, etc. to show your support of BBBS Month & National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. Participants are encouraged to build on the provided items to showcase their creativity!