Big Brothers Big Sisters Prairies To Peaks (BBBS) recently received a big boost in funding this spring from the provincial government and the Red Deer and District Community Foundation.
The non-profit organization received $55,000 from the provincial Alberta Community Initiatives Operating Grant program. The money is being used to support the Mentoring Program in all communities it serves.
Tim Howard, executive director for BBBS, said the money will be put to good use.
“These kinds of grants are critical to our ability to operate. It's a significant part of our operating budget and allows us to continue doing the kinds of things we do,” said Howard. “The FCSS grants that we get are partially funded by the province, but this comes exclusively from the Alberta government.”
Howard noted the focus of this year's application will enable the agency to continue its growth in the region.
“We've been expanding programming, including more children, introducing a couple of new initiatives and with what we are doing in Olds and Sundre, we need the support there,” he said.
Last fall the youth agency expanded into additional towns and now serves a total of six communities in Central Alberta. It recently changed its name from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail to Big Brothers Big Sisters Prairies To Peaks to reflect those changes.
“Last year we moved into Olds and Sundre, so we felt we needed a name that was more inclusive,” explained Howard. “(The name) officially changed this spring. We've been working on it for a couple of years and we wanted a name that reflected the regional nature of what we do now.”
He noted BBBS now serves the communities of Innisfail, Bowden, Penhold, Spruce View, Olds and Sundre.
Howard said they began programming in schools in Olds and Sundre last fall and began providing big brother and big sister matches there in January.
In addition to the $55,000 grant from the provincial government, the Red Deer and District Community Foundation also provided Big Brothers Big Sisters Prairies To Peaks with a $5,000 donation for its In-School Mentoring program.
The In-School Mentoring program offers both individual and group support in 16 schools throughout the region. Three of those schools provide a Teen Mentoring program, which places qualified teenagers with younger students.
A cheque presentation for the $55,000 provincial grant was held on June 10 at the BBBS office in Innisfail. On hand for the presentation were regional Wildrose MLAs Nathan Cooper, Jason Nixon and Don MacIntyre.
“Organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sisters I think are some of the fabric that hold our communities together and build much stronger communities,” said MacIntyre. “The mentoring that is provided through Big Brothers and Big Sisters to our young people is such a valuable contribution.
“They go a long way in providing the kind of support that young people need today in our society,” he added.
“The presentation today is an opportunity for us to say thank you to our MLAs who have advocated on our behalf for this grant and for their hard work,” said Howard. “We certainly appreciate it.”
Tim Howard, agency executive director
"We've been expanding programming, including more children, introducing a couple of new initiatives and with what we are doing in Olds and Sundre, we need the support there."
