For more than 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert has been changing the lives of local youth through the dedication of Saskatchewan volunteers.
The organization nourishes youth participants through developmental relationships with volunteer mentors. Children apart of the program are provided the space to try new hobbies and develop skills that can help them positively contribute to their community.
“[Volunteers] are making the future brighter for everyone. They are helping a young person but also strengthening our community, because the youth are our future.”
Natasha Thomson, the Development Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert
As a recipient of the Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert funds activities for youth to explore with their mentors and offers opportunities that may not be accessible otherwise.
“Sask Lotteries Community Grant funding is used to aid in our BIG Fun Program. It allows us to remove barriers for vulnerable children and their families, so they can access healthy, cultural and recreational activities. This is available to all our matches, as well as the families on our waiting list,” said Natasha Thomson, the Development Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert.
By supporting volunteer-led organizations, the wellbeing of local communities can continue to thrive and expand. The grant prioritizes communities having access to impactful and innovative sport, culture and recreation programs, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Each time an individual signs up for our program. It changes two lives. The volunteer’s life and the child’s life. We see positive outcomes for both involved.”
People who volunteer become more than a mentor within the program and take on the role of being a ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ figure to the participants. Every relationship built through the program is unique to the match.
“In recent years we have done a lot of research to come to a greater understanding of why our program works so well. We know that developmental relationships are something that young people need. We have a really focused on helping our volunteers build developmental relationships that help youth thrive.”
Prioritizing the success rate of compatible matches between youth and their mentor, means connecting youth with a volunteer who shares similar interests. Following the initial match, mentors are trained to support their youth and aid them in cultivating new skills that will empower them moving forwards.
The benefit of Big Brothers Big Sisters is felt beyond the reach of the children and their mentors, expanding into the community, child’s family as well as the internal structure of the organization.
“Working here as taught me that relationships are the most important thing in our lives. Big Brothers Big Sisters is important because we teach young people and their volunteers how to have a healthy relationship and help them through the steps of building that together,” explained Thomson.
The relationships built through Big Brothers and Big Sister interactions are felt in every level of the program. Volunteers and the youth participants are the heart of the organization.
“[Volunteers] are making the future brighter for everyone. They are helping a young person but also strengthening our community, because the youth are our future.”
To learn more about the Community Grant Program, visit our Trust Funds & Grants page