2010_11 Annual Report - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria

START SOMETHING because you can.
230 Bay Street Victoria, BC
V9A 3K5
www.bbbsvictoria.com
START SOMETHING
2010- 2011 Annual General Report
For year ending 30 June, 2011

A Grandfather’s Story
We have been greatly helped by BBBS in raising
our grandsons on our own. Jesse had a BBBS
mentor at school. (2009-2011) Those were
diffi cult years for Jesse. He had trouble with
older boys and would often come home angry/
frustrated/depressed. Jesse’s mentors were able
to talk Jesse though his problems and remind
him that, as serious as his diffi culties were, they
were only temporary and would end when the
older boys moved on to middle school. But more
importantly the mentors listened. In this world
where we have to work long hours in order to
earn a living we don’t always have as much time
as we would like to do something as easy as
listening. We always hear the boys but we can’t
always listen. The mentors were so important
in bridging the hear/listen distinction. We will
always be grateful to the organization for the
school mentor program.
Aaron also had a mentor during the 2009-2010
school year and currently has a Big Sister. The
match Aaron has with his Big has produced so
many positives, too many to list here. Our
fervent wish is that more kids are able to
acquire a Big Sister/Brother. Again, because of
time constraints limiting “quality” time we are
able to devote to each boy, Aaron’s Big Sister
has proven to be invaluable. She is able to do
things with our boy that are extremely diffi cult
for us to do with Aaron. I do not like to
contemplate a world without the BBBS
organization.
We wish the program could expand to cover
every child in need of a Big Sister/Brother.
-Alan, Grandfather
Thank you to the many hours and dedication from our Staff.
Rhonda Brown, Executive Director
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Shoshana Frost, Program Manager
Mindy Francis, Family Intake Coordinator
Christine Golder, Mentoring Coordinator
Melissa Hicks, Mentoring Coordinator
Quinn Hoffman, Mentoring Coordinator
Jennifer Ridley, Mentoring Coordinator
Bonnie Milbury, Mentoring Coordinator
Luka Hayes, Administrative Assistant
FUND DEVELOPMENT
Lori Munoz, Events and Special Services
We bid farewell to Hayley Lench, Mentoring Coordinator and Lisa Mort- Putland,
Development Manager. Thank you for your enthusiasm and work. You will be
missed.
DONATION CENTRE
Cheryl Faerber, Donation Centre Manager
Devin Chappell, Business Development Manager
Laura S. McIvor, Administration Supervisor
Eleanor Sander, Evening Shift Supervisor
Telephone Representatives
Russ Allert Drivers
Abdulla A. Alzareei Carsen Baker
Rafael T. Benedek Ronald Montgomery
Faith A. Brown Clifford W. Klugh
David Dakin Curtis Sukkel
Deborah Usak
Marnie Hawksworth
Kelly Larson
Jacqueline Lee
Aliya Mitchell
James Paton
Eden Thom
28

Thank you for being leaders in our community.
BOARD of DIRECTORS 2010-2011
Executive Committee
Paul Abra, President
Sarah Klinger, Vice President
Steve Haines, Treasurer/Finance
Sheila Elsworthy, Secretary
Gayle Bliss, Fund Development
David Jones, Donation Centre
Monty Bryant, Building
Members at Large
Steve Chubby
Micayla Greschner-Hayes
Lindy Payne
Jonathan Ziebarth
Nominated to the 2011-2012 Board of Directors
John Neville
Tammy Khanna
Ted Yeates
Table of Contents
Message 2010/2011 2
In School Mentoring 3
David and Dan 5
Mission,Vision & Values 7-8
Fiscal year in Review 9
Community Mentoring 11
A Mother’s Story 13
Lisa and Michaela 15
Teen Mentoring 17
Donation Centre 19
Fund Development & Our Current Reality 22
Recognizing our Community Partners 23
Recognizing our Funders and Donors 25
Board of Directors 27
Our Staff 28

A BIG Thank You for the Generosity of our Donors
Paul Abra
Diane Alfred
Mary Allen
Laurae Austin
Kaylee P. Apostoliuk
Robert Beily
Michelle Belanger
Eileen Bell
Gary Belleville
Dunnery Best
Jane Bryony-Shaw
Gayle Bliss
Jack Boomer
Shirley Brodeur
Herbert Brooker
James Brown
Rhonda and Cameron Brown
Ronald Brox
Sandra Brox
Catherine Bryan
Evelyn Butler
K. Cadenhead
Jill and Ralph Carrol
Millie Chow
Steve Chubby
Tara and Dannie Clayton
Allen J Coccola
Betty Crawford
Timothy Crawford
Eleanor Culver
Leelah Dawson
Mike deRoos
Ken Drummond
Scott Duguid
Char Dunford
Tim Eberts
Jim Elbert
Sheila Elworthy
Dave Eng
Rick Fields
Eileen and George Francis
Mindy Francis
Richard Gage
Brian and Virginia Gemmell
Christine Golder
Edward Gouge
Keynan Hadad
Kristie Hansen
Nancy and Guy Harris
Fred and Glenda
Stephen Hammond
David Heifetz
Kyle Hillstead
Pixie Hoffman
Quinn Hoffman
Eileen Hooyberg
Colleen and James Irwin
Joanne Irwin
Ashley Jacobs
Clint Jamieson
John and Fran Jamieson
Alice Johnson
Patricia and John Johnson
Miran and Carol Kozelj
Sharon Lajoie
Beth Laur
Patrick Lee
O. Legaspi
Vicki Leung
Johannes Maczewski
Sheila Madill
Anne McDougall
Diane McWilliams
Marylee and David McWilliams
Laurel Metzler
Sayed Mirmiran
Matt Mitchell
Valerie and Tony Mort
Lisa Mort-Putland
Albert and Jean Mracek
Helen and Arturo Munoz
Tony Nelson
Garth Nye
Brian Ogilvie
Ken Palmer
Ara Parker
Trudy Paulo
Min Phang
Gord Redlin
Una and Wilfred Roberge
Mark Rosengarten
Chanelle Saks
Mark Salton
Susan Salvati
John & Sheila Sandys-Wunsch
M. Schneider
Catherine and William Shypitka
Audrey Sowerby
Suzanne Stewart
Megan Stewart
Lisa Stone
Gwen Strogan
Laura Swaney
Coralie Swaney
Ida Swaney
Michael Tarantino
Aeron Tesorek
Grace Thornton
Mary Tuller
Brad Turpin
Joanne Vesprini
Ardelle Villamor
Katherine Walker
Rick Wiegel
Clinton and Lorraine Wilson
Stewart and Janet Wilson
Miranda and Lorne Wise
Martha Woychesin
Daphne J Wright
Mike Wyeth
Ted Yeates
26

Thank you to the Corporations and Corporate Foundations
that help Support our Programs
Advanced Solutions SCC
Alter RGO Apparel
Ana Machado
BC Hydro Employees Community Services Fund
BMO Employee Charitable Foundation
Canadian Tire Jumstart Foundation
Canadian Western Bank
CIBC Asset Management Inc.
CIBC Children’s Miracle Foundation
Cirque Du Soleil
City of Victoria
Cloverdale Traditional School
Cobs Bread
Corporation of Saanich
Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt
Dance Victoria
Dr. Adrian Raphael, Discover Chiropractic Family
Wellness Center
Dr. Ansel Updegrove, Updegrove Chiropractic
Clinic
Dr. Brad Gage, Broadmead BetterBack
Dr. Cale Copeland, Victoria Family Chiropractic
Dr. James McCowan, Broadmead BetterBack
Dr. John Douglas, Aria Health and Wellness
Dr. Rick Baxter, Discover Chiropractic Family
Wellness Center
Fidelity Investments
Foresters
Gap Foundation Money for Time Program
Gap Inc. Giving Campaign
Gordon Head Lions
Harry DeSwager Bursary Fund from the
Vancouver Foundation
IBM Employees Charitable Fund
Invesco Trimark
Island Furniture Company
Island Savings Credit Union (Growing Island
Families Together Fund)
John Douglas Chiropractic Corporation
Jumpstart Canada Foundation
Keg Spirit Foundation
Knights of Columbus
Landeca Services Inc.
Lorne Wise Barrister and Solicitor
Macaulaey School
Mackenzie Financial Corporation
Mad in Craft
Marble Slab Creamery
Needs Crisis and Information Line
Oak Bay Tea Party
Pacifi c Coast Fire Equipment
Pamela D. Whyte Real Estate Corporation
Peninsula Co-op
Provincial Employees Community Services
Fund
Queen Alexandra Foundation
RBC Royal Bank Canada
Rotary Club
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92
Scansa Construction Ltd.
Scholastic Books
SIFE Royal Roads
TD Bank Financial Group
Telus Corporation
The Board of education of School District 61
Thrifty Foods
TLC Fund for Kinds
Tyler Hillstead Consulting Inc.
United Way of Greater Victoria
United Way of Toronto
Value Village
Victoria Foundation
Victoria Imperial Lions
START SOMETHING -Big Brothers Big Sisters facilitates lifechanging
relationships that inspire and empower children and youth to
reach their potential, both as individuals and citizens. START SOMETHING
- volunteers gave 48,596 hours to mentorship, reaching into our
community and changing lives. START SOMETHING - CIBC Youth Vision
awarded $ 80,000 through two Scholarships to ‘Littles’ who applied
because their mentor believed in them. START SOMETHING - Big Brothers
Big Sisters Board member Sheila Elworthy raises over $8,000 in pledges
for Big brothers Big Sisters completing the Victoria Marathon. START
SOMETHING – 108 children at Big Brothers Big Sisters participated in
sport and recreation programs because of the generous support of the
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation. START SOMETHING – the people
of Victoria donated over 2 million pounds of clothing to Big Brothers Big
Sisters. START SOMETHING – our community partners, Island Savings,
Victoria Spinal Health and Thrifty Foods gave money and time and then
gave more. START SOMETHING – 71 local youth became teen mentors
making school a better place to be for 71 children. START SOMETHING
– 1,260 children learned that they belong to a community that cares
through free tickets, books, food and clothing.
In 2010, 691 local children and youth between that ages of 7 and 18
years asked us for help.
START SOMETHING
Rhonda Brown Paul Abra
Executive Director Board President
2

In School Mentoring
In-School Mentoring Programs are available at 8 elementary and middle
schools across Greater Victoria. The children are referred to the program by
school counselors, teachers or the Principal. Every child referred needs the
support of a dedicated mentor and positive role model.
A Big Brother or Sister spends one hour per week in a one-to-one In-School
mentoring relationship with a child for a minimum of one academic year.
Many children and their mentors continue on with their mentoring
relationships in subsequent years. Fifteen minutes of each hour is dedicated
to building or enhancing the child’s literacy, numeracy, and comprehension
skills. The remaining 45 minutes is spent working on the child’s individual
learning, social, or behavioral challenges, supporting the child’s areas of
interest so that they can be successful and embrace activities with
confi dence and support while developing life skills. The child and mentor
never leave the supervised grounds of the school, but each week they have
an opportunity to engage in sports, recreation, arts, cultural exploration,
projects, and fun and learning.
In School mentoring provides support through one to one relationships at
elementary schools while Go Girls! Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds is available
at Middle schools. Go Girls offers support to girls in Victoria - to reduce the
risks associated with poor body image and low self-esteem, this gender –
targeted mentoring program offers safe, empowering and engaging activities
that support the positive development of girls.
“I would recommend being a BIG to anyone
that has an interest in making a difference in
someone’s life and who is
interested in learning about themselves.”
-Dan, In School Mentor
Community Partners
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria we know that we could not fullfi ll
our mission without the help of the community.
In the past year we have seen our Community Partners Thrifty Foods,
Island Savings Credit Union and our new partner Victoria Spinal Health
come forward to give not only a fi nancial donation, but also their time
and energy to help us with our committment to children in the
community.
24

“Island Savings has partnered with
Big Brothers Big Sisters
or the past two years under our
Growing Island Families Together
(GIFT) program, and we strongly
believe in the good work that is
being done to help local children
and families.
Our relationship involves sponsorship,
event facilitation, volunteerism,
fundraising activities and collaboration
between different Island agencies.
It is no wonder Big Brothers Big
Sisters is such a reputable and widely
recognized organization; their
commitment to families makes them
a delight to work with and we are
proud to be
associated with them.”
Chris Waddell,
Community Investment Developer
Island Savings Credit Union
START SOMETHING because it can change a community.
S
T
A
R
T
SOMETHING
“Over the past four years,
that hour spent with my
“little” was a weekly
positive
experience for her,
and for me,
it was one of the
most
enjoyable hours in
my week.”
-Jan,
In School Mentor
4

David and Dan
Our Current Reality
In 2010, 691 local children and youth between the ages of 7 and 18 years
asked us for help. The children face a range of challenges and fall along
a continuum of risk - from those who have experienced isolation or loss
through family breakdown, those with ongoing learning, behavioural, or
socialization issues, and those who are signifi cantly impacted by addictions,
mental or physical illness, poverty, and/or violence or abuse. While families
self-identifi ed with an average of 3.1 risk factors, physical or mental health
and poverty were over-arching themes within the families we serve.
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves a clear demographic and fulfi lls a
demonstrated need as evidenced by the increase in requests for service. We
have a proven success rate that is providing solutions to a major social
problem as indicated by outcome measurements. Fundraising is a means to
an end and we embrace every opportunity to raise much needed dollars with
the hope of mentoring more children.
Thank you to all of our partners, funders, donors and volunteers.
Together we are supporting children and in doing so we are
investing in our community.
for a better future.
22

“I took up running again after a ten year
hiatus in order to support what I see as a
vital organization for the well being of our
community.”
-Sheila Elworthy, Board Member and
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Marathon Team Member
START SOMETHING
My little brother David is
Awesome!
His smile lights up the room
when I see him. He is full of
energy and loves to laugh. Every
time I go to visit we have a great
time together. When we play road
hockey he likes to pretend he is
Tim Thomas
(The boston bruins goalie).
We had quite the rivalry during
the playoffs last year because I
like to pretend to be Ryan Kesler.
David is a really smart kid and a
pleasure to be around.
Best moment…Well I am sure
David had a great moment when
his beloved
Boston Bruins took the Canucks
Stanley cup away from us and
I had to come to his school the
next day and bring him ice
cream.
I have learned a few lessons over
the last year with David. But I
think one of the best lessons is
that no matter what is going on
in either of our lives when we
get together we are just focused
on having fun and being in the
moment and if I take that same
lesson with me throughout my
life then each moment
becomes a gift.
START SOMETHING because it can lead to new friends.
6

Mission
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria positively affects our
community by providing mentoring programs for
children and youth.
Vision
Every child that needs a mentor has a mentor.
START
SOMETHING
because it
makes life
sweeter.
20

Donation Centre
This past year was an exciting time for the Donation Centre, as we worked to
come up with new and creative ways to operate our business. While we were
able to generate additional revenue, the rising cost of operating
(particularly fuel) impacted our business and limited our growth. However, we
are optimistic that several new initiatives will provide us with additional
opportunities to collect product, while only marginally increasing our costs.
Our greatest success was the adoption of a memorandum of understanding
with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the CowichanValley. This MOU opens up the
Cowichan Valley for collections (while respecting their local agency) and has
allowed us to place two outdoor drop-boxes in Duncan that have already
exceeded expectations. Under this MOU, we will be able to continue to source
new locations for bins, as they prove to be a much more cost-effective way
of doing business. This relationship has also shown us an ideal framework for
the way in which we work with our partners, and we will be able to take this
knowledge and apply it as we expand to more markets.
Through enhancing our relationship with Value Village, we were able to make
greater use of trailers that they store throughout the CRD. By having our staff
unload to trailers, we become less dependent on the conditions at the
store-level, and are able to exceed our delivery quota as needed.
We have begun to transition our call center from a manual dialing operation
to a web-based dialer. While there is still much to be addressed, initial results
have shown that the technology has the ability to nearly double the results
of our Telephone Representatives. This has been a diffi cult learning curve for
both our staff and management, and there are still many unknowns. However,
we are confi dent that this equipment will provide us with the tools we need to
increase donations without having a dramatic impact on our bottom-line.
Cheryl Faeber Devin Chapell
Donation Centre Manager Business Development Manager
WE BELIEVE IN…
Values
MENTORING - Mentoring has the power to change lives.
HEALTHY CHILDREN & YOUTH - The healthy development of every child is
enhanced by positive, safe, nurturing, mentoring relationships.
PREVENTION – Providing effective preventative services and advocating for
healthy families.
VOLUNTEERISM - Volunteers are our greatest resource. We invest in our
volunteers to enable them to make real differences in the lives of children and
youth.
RESPECT - The diversity of people, cultures, values and ideas is welcomed and
celebrated with care and understanding.
COLLABORATION - Community collaboration enhances our services.
QUALITY - Investing in service excellence, maintaining the highest standards for
children, youth & families, volunteers & our community.
ACCOUNTABILITY - Our services are based upon commitment, relevance,
transparency, and best practices.
LEADERSHIP - Our knowledge, innovation, and best practices are shared with
others to inspire volunteerism and positive engagement.
START SOMETHING you believe in.
8

2010-2011 Fiscal Year in Review Teen Mentoring
The fi scal year ending June 30, 2011 was a successful year fi nancially for
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria despite the challenges we faced
throughout the year.
At the onset of fi scal 2010, the Ministry of Children and Family
Development informed us that it was cancelling a $46,000 contract for
services. Regardless of this and a reduction in fundraising revenue, the
decrease was more than offset by increases in Direct Access Gaming
grants and United Way contributions during the year.
Recognizing the risk of potentially losing grants, donations and fundraising
revenues due to increased competition and fl uctuations in the economy
and the potential impact on our ability to serve children, we started to
focus on the Donation Centre. Additional partnerships have been formed
allowing us to access more of Vancouver Island and 2012 has already seen
improved effi ciency due to our move to a web-based dialer. Through our
collection of gently used clothing and small household items we were able
to raise 67% of our budget. We continue to examine opportunities to
further grow and improve our Donation Center operations.
Thank you to all of the sponsors and donors who have so generously
contributed to support our agency. During fi scal 2011 we were able to
serve many children and we look forward to your continued support as we
are committed to further increasing programs in order to meet growing
demands.
Steve Haines
Treasurer
because it empowers you and those around you.
Local High Schools support their
neighbouring Elementary Schools through
Teen mentoring and the end result is a
stronger community. A teen mentor spends
one hour per week in a one-to-one
mentoring relationship with a child for a
minimum of one academic year. Children
matched with teen mentors connect more at
school, are more willing to participate in new
things – including learning – and are overall
more positive about school. Teen Mentoring
offers the added benefi t of helping both a
child and a teen through a mentoring
relationship. Studies of teen mentors show
that after volunteering to mentor a younger
child they feel greater empathy for others
and increased sense of responsibility and
accomplishment. The child and teen mentor
never leave the supervised grounds of the
school, but each week they have an
opportunity to engage in sports,
recreation, arts, cultural exploration,
projects, and most importantly fun.
“I like my BIG so much I WISH
EVERYDAY was FRIDAY!”
- Daniel, a Little Brother
meets with his Big every Friday
18

START SOMETHING
REVENUE AND EXPENSES for 2010-2011 Fiscal Year
Prov. Gvt.
Grants - 0%
Fundraising
-5%
Grants - 6%
UW
contributions -
8%
Donations -
4%
Revenues Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2011
Direct
Access - 8% Interest and
Advertising and
promotion, - 1.67%
Misc. -
2%
Donation
Centre - 67%
Expenses Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2011
Wages and
personnel, -
65.42%
Amortization -
0.49%
Building
occupancy -
12.51% Dues - 1.17%
Fundraising and
Development -
0.49%
Office -
Professional
-3.10%
2.04%
Program - 6.31%
Donation Centre -
6.80%
10

Community Mentoring Lisa and Michaela
The children and youth who participate in Community mentoring programs
are diverse in age, gender, religion, ethnicity, and social backgrounds.
They live in a geographic region that extends across Greater
Victoria, from Sooke to the Gulf Islands and north to the Malahat, but
they share a single common thread – they each need an additional
positive role model and mentor in their lives to help them build resiliency,
confi dence, and self-esteem, to learn new tools and problemsolving
skills, and to engage in learning and positive activities that help
them connect and succeed at school, at home and in the community.
Every child registered in a traditional community-based mentoring
program is matched with a volunteer mentor who will visit with them
for up to four hours once each week for a minimum of one year. The
child and mentor decide on activities and destinations together, and
work to develop self-esteem, confi dence, resiliency, and the tools and
skills needed to succeed in school, at home, and in the community.
The average mentoring match between a child and volunteer lasts 15.7
months, many last much longer. The positive impact of mentoring lasts
for a lifetime.
Through community mentoring we are able to offer traditional Big
Brother or Big Sister mentoring, Aboriginal mentoring, couples mentoring
and small group mentoring through Big Bunch. It takes on average
six weeks to successfully screen and train a community based mentoring
volunteer.
START SOMETHING to connect with others.
“I am very proud of the young woman that Michaela has become. I love
Michaela very much and it has been a privilege to watch her grow up into a
confi dent, and well balanced teenager.
Through the 9 years that we have been together, a lot has happened in our
lives. I got married and I even asked Michaela to be a junior bridesmaid in
my wedding. I’ve had two beautiful children and I fi nished my PhD. And
Michaela has been a part and shared in the joys of all of those things.
She has grown up. When we fi rst started to hang out we used to bake and
scrpabook and now, we get together and have coffee and talk.
I couldn’t have asked for a better match.” -Lisa, Big Sister
“ A big part of who I am today, is because of my Big Sister Lisa. She has
helped me through so much and I’ve learned so much from her. I’m studying
biology and history at Camosun College right now. She taught me that
volunteering is important. And last March I had fundraised enough money to
go to Africa with 5 classmates to volunteer and help build schools for children
there. I couldn’t have asked for a better Big Sister.” - Michaela, Little Sister
16

START SOMETHING so that others may follow your lead. Total Number Children and Youth Served by BBBS Victoria and Youth
“A big part of
who I am
today- is
because of
my Big Sister
Lisa.”
-Little Sister
Michaela
In 2010, 691 local children and youth asked us for help.
This year it was our
privilege, joy and honour to match 422 children and families.
2010-2011 Total Increase in Children and Youth
served by BBBS Victoria and Area
= 392 =422
2009-2010 2010-2011
Community Based Mentoring
In School Mentoring
Teen Mentoring
Go Girls
The number
of children
served
increased
by 8% this
year.
12

A Mother’s Story
I am a single mom with three girls. My three daughters have been involved
with Big Sister Mentoring program for well over six years. Awesome
describes my experience with the BBBS programs.
I don’t recall how I heard about this program, but it has been a great
experience for my girls and me.
My intention was just to have my eldest daughter, who is now eighteen,
involved with the program. However, when my second daughter AJ, got
involved in the program, her sister, Jade, now 8 yrs couldn’t wait
to get involve.
Today, she too is having a great experience with her Big Sister, Olivia.
Jade and Olivia
While my eldest is now too old to still be involve in the program, she still keeps
in touch with her Big Sister, Randip. And my 14 year old daughter still meets
with her Big Sister weekly.
I must say, at the beginning, it was challenging for me, especially when I
heard “I cant wait until Thursday when I go to my big sister; she is so much
more fun” for what seemed like the millionth time. And should there be a
Thursday they are not able to meet with their big sisters, I had to prepare
myself that no matter what I did, it was not the same or as fun as what
their Big sisters’ did.
The Big Brother Big Sister Mentoring program has surpassed all of my
expectations. The staff has all been delightful, and easy to deal with and at
times have gone beyond their duties.
I feel tremendous gratitude for My children’s big Sisters, Randip, Judy
and Olivia whom have all been exceptional to my girls and have devoted
so much of their valuable time making my children‘s life a lot more fun
and giving them someone to talk with that was safe and wasn‘t “Mom“.
I remember one day I asked my eldest daughter “why do you talk to your
Big sister and not me,”
She paused, looked at me and smile and said
“cause when I talked to you,
you are my mom. You can‘t help being my mom.
She is not my mom.
She listens cause she wants to,
but you listen cause you are my mom.”
-Faye, Mother of Three “Little” Girls
START SOMETHING to bring families closer.
14