2010_11 Annual Report - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria

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
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