September has been declared Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Month in Yorkton.
The declaration was unanimously approved by Yorkton Council at its regular meeting Monday.
Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a variety of mentoring programs that responds to community needs. Big Brothers Big Sisters has formalized the mentor process offering the best possible services by providing mentors for children and youth who need a significant, caring adult in their lives, detailed a letter circulated to Council.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving non-violently, increased selfesteem/self-worth, healthier lifestyles, evidence of higher incomes, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking other negative cycles,” said Doris Dressler, a board member with the local BBS organization in making the presentation.
Dressler said the organization helps many in the region.
“We currently serve over 250 children annually through mentoring relationships mentoring in the communities of Yorkton, Melville, Churchbridge, Esterhazy, Langenburg and Rocanville,” she said.
“There are still many children on waiting list for a mentor.”
The organization has several activities and events planned to celebrate mentoring and expand our mentoring programs.
Recruitment of volunteers is our focus so we can match many of the children on our waiting list. In-School mentoring matching begins again in September giving children an additional support, a friend, who can encourage them to stay in school and do their best, said Dressler.
The Back to School events began in August and included helping Staples host a family carnival on August 23rd to raise money for back to school supplies so any child in need can get school supplies through their school, she continued.
At Canadian Tire Yorkton we will be holding a back to school barbecue on September 7th and 8th to raise funds to help children needing back to school supplies and to increase programming for those needing a mentor.
“On Sept 24, we will be taking 30 Bigs and Littles to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Game thanks to tickets sponsored by the Riders. What a great group activities for our Littles who would not otherwise get this opportunity,” said Dressler.
The group will also be involved in upcoming Culture Days in September.
“Arts and culture is a part of healthy development and we recognize the need to encourage and support children in their development. During Culture Days September 29th to October 1st to finish off the month thanks to SaskCulture we have a fun experiential weekend of activities planned and propose ending BBBS Month with a soap box rally.
Participating in the festivities of Culture Days with the help of volunteers our Little Brothers (LB) and Little Sisters (LS) will be building soap box cars and preparing for a fun competition,” said Dressler.
