For the second time in less than a decade, Big Brothers & Big Sisters is looking at setting up shop in Olds to serve the Olds and Sundre areas, hopefully next year.
This time, they're looking at partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Olds and area, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail (BBBSI) executive director Tim Howard.
Over time, they not only plan to provide services to Olds, Sundre and district but also to the Didsbury, Carstairs and Cremona areas.
Howard made that announcement during a presentation to the Olds Chamber of Commerce Wednesday (Nov. 12). Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club of Olds could not be reached for comment at the time this story was written.
Howard noted although the name currently says Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail, the organization already also serves the communities of Penhold and Spruce View.
“We will be changing our name in the not too distant future – or even in the new year – to Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Alberta South to reflect the regional nature of our organization and where we're headed in the future as well as where we're at right now,” Howard said.
“The goal – by 2024, a decade from now, we anticipate we are aiming towards being a regional agency for Central Alberta south. So that means from the B.C. border to the Saskatchewan border – from Red Deer to Airdrie,” he added.
“Within all that area we're it right now. There are no other Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations and we would be providing mentorship to over 3,000 children. That would make this organization the biggest in Canada.
“The largest right now is Edmonton, and they have 1,900 children in mentorship. So it's an ambitious program,” he said.
Howard said the organization plans to hire one person to train as a mentoring co-ordinator for Olds and Sundre, starting in January, with a view to working in the position this spring. It's hoped at least two people will be hired to work in the area by the end of next year.
He said to help cover costs for the expansion, Family and Community Support Services of Red Deer plans to bump up its funding for the organization from the current $28,000 a year to $45,000 a year. BBBSI reps are also approaching local businesses and individuals for donations.
They've already booked the Olds bowling alley for a Bowl For A Kid's Sake fundraiser this March.
“Hopefully we'll see a lot more of you. I'll come banging on your doors along with some of our staffers, and we look forward to bringing this program successfully to Olds,” Howard said.
