The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Saskatchewan held a reception at the Legislature on Dec. 7, including representatives from Weyburn, Lloydminster, Regina and Yorkton.
The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Saskatchewan held a reception at the Legislature on Dec. 7, including representatives from Weyburn, Lloydminster, Regina and Yorkton.
The provincial program invited MLAs to learn more about the program, and every agency in the province (including Weyburn's) was on hand to explain how the program works, and their vision that every child in Saskatchewan who needs a mentor will have a mentor.
The group's mission at the reception was to promote mentoring for the support and wellbeing of Saskatchewan children and families. The representatives shared information about the importance and impact of mentoring, coordinate accessibility of mentoring services, build capacity by developing and supporting staff professionalism, and present a unified voice to address the mentoring needs of youth in Saskatchewan.
There were 42 MLAs in attendance at the reception, including Weyburn's Amy Mohr, executive director, and Georgia Siourounis, office administrator, as well as a Big Sister Vi and Little Sister Anaka.
The group from Weyburn was on hand to provide support and information whenever needed.
"It was a very special evening to be a part of," said Mohr. "We were very fortunate to have such an amazing turnout of MLAs, volunteers, Bigs and Littles, Big Brothers staff. It was truly inspirational to be in a room filled with so many people who believe in the value and values of mentoring."
The presentations included speeches from the president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Bruce MacDonald, along with volunteers who have helped their mentees succeed in life by being positive life role models.
Mohr noted the agency in Weyburn currently has 16 Littles on a waiting list, and the agency is seeking volunteers for their in-school mentoring program as well as the traditional program.
Georgia Siourounis recently started at the Weyburn office. She initially started out as an in-school mentor. She now holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders from Minot State University, and wants to obtain a graduate degree in speech-language pathology. She was born and raised in Weyburn, and is happy to be volunteering as a mentor as well as working as office administrator.
