Yorkton Council unanimously voted to declare September as Big Brothers Big Sisters Month in the city.
The request was made by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton and Area at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a variety of mentoring programs that respond 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 from the local organization to Council.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving non-violently, increased self-esteem/self-worth, healthier lifestyles, evidence of higher incomes, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking other negative cycles,” continued organization representative Charles Shields who made a presentation at the meeting.
Currently more than 250 children are served annually through mentoring relationships mentoring in the communities of Yorkton, Melville, Churchbridge, Esterhazy and Langenburg.
And still more children are on a wait list for mentors.
To support programming Shields said a number of activities and events are planned for September.
Recruitment of volunteers is our focus so we can match many of the children on our waiting list, he added.
“Our Back to School events include being able to give Littles in our program gift cards for $50. Thanks to Staples and our back to school drive. Clothes have been donated by Maurice’s as well helping prepare our youth for a successful school season. 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 Shields.
Also, Thanks to Canadian Western Bank the Greater GIC Campaign every dollar you invest between September 1s t and October 31st Canadian Western Bank will make a donation of 1/8 per cent to your local Big Brothers Big Sisters.
And, Yorkton Co-op is sponsoring a barbecue for us on September 23rd from 11 to 2 and we invite you all to join us to celebrate mentoring and the benefits of mentoring.
“Arts and culture is a major part of healthy development and we recognize the need to encourage and support children in their development,” continued Shields.
During Culture Days September 30th to October 2nd 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, detailed the letter.
“On Sunday, October 2nd they will have an opportunity to showcase their cars and themselves at our 2nd Annual Soap Box Derby,” said Shields.
To start the month a flag raising ceremony is planned for Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. at City Hall.
