Top 10 Reasons to Donate to Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton
1. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the leading youth mentoring program in Canada, we are part of that! Big Sisters is a registered charitable organization with an established history of providing individual and group mentoring to girls from across Sarnia and Lambton county. Big Sisters are adult female volunteers who realize how important a positive role model and mentor is in the development of a young girl’s life. We currently have 80 girls matched to a Big Sister, 18 in the Big Bunch program, 5 schools involved in our in school self-esteem program Go Girls and over 50 more are waiting to meet their special friend. Research conducted by our agency has found that a girl who has a Big Sister is less likely to drop out of school, run away from home, get into trouble with the law, abuse alcohol and/or drugs, become a teen mother or a victim of violence. Our mentoring program makes a difference in the lives of so many children.
2. We are NOT funded by the government. Big Sisters is not government funded. Gaming revenue from Bingo's, fundraising events and the United Way are our major sources. We fundraise approximately 70% of our budget each and every year to maintain and grow our quality programs.
3. Programs and services are free to the community. We do not charge any fees to recruit, screen, monitor and support the over 150 volunteers, young girls and their families that we interact with every year.
4. Our programs and services are cost effective. We have an outstanding record for cost effectiveness in a non-profit sector. Through the recruitment and development of caring, intelligent, giving volunteers, we can effectively make your funds go further. Bottome Line...... we use money wisely.
5. Our mentoring programs have life-long, positive impacts. Big Sisters program research shows the benefits to our children include that 91% feel better about themselves, 65% have improved self-confidence, 67% have a better sense of right and wrong and children participating in our programs go on to graduate from high school at a consisently increasing rate.
6. We have a MANDATORY National Accreditation Program. Big Sisters agencies undergo an accreditation from our National organization every 5 years to ensure that we are following current service delivery standards as well as organizational standards of excellence to ensure that we are providing communities with the best service possible in an effective manner.
7. Professional Caseworkers deliver our programs. Professional, accredited Caseworkers provide the volunteers, youth, children and their families with the highest quality of support.
8. We provide flexible, exceptional and fun volunteer opportunities. Our volunteers are provided with safe, well-supported experiences that will build their life skills and self-esteem and give them the joy of making a difference in the life of a child.
9. Volunteer Safety Standards are unparalled. Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton's National Standards address all types of safety and security measures. All volunteers and children involved in the program go through a training session before they are matched.
10. Positive outcomes make stronger communities. Our program outcomes go beyond the children and families that we serve. Our programs are about intervention, prevention and building resiliency in youth and just providing them with an experience that will remain in their heart for life. As a result, young people embrace our programs and mature to become productive, contributing members of society. It's a win - win for everyone.