2010_11 Annual Report - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria

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.
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