Vancouver, BC, September 29, 2014 – Celebrations were held in the Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver office in the past week when the agency reached 1,000 children served this year, a milestone that the agency has never reached before.
This achievement highlights the strength of the mentoring programs the agency offers to boys and girls throughout Metro Vancouver. Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver offers a range of one-to-one and group mentoring programs both in the community and in partnership with schools across the Lower Mainland and the Sea to Sky Corridor.
While happy to commemorate the 1,000th match, work does not slow down at the agency, with exceptionally high waitlists of children needing mentors present in almost all of the communities Big Brothers operates in. Particularly in Richmond, the Tri-Cities and Surrey, some boys are left waiting up to two years for a Big Brother, as there are simply not enough volunteers to match with these children in need.
Volunteer opportunities across various programs are available for both men and women over the age of 18. Time commitments range from one to four hours each week, which offers an incredibly flexible and rewarding way to give back to the community, even for those who are extremely busy.
Mentoring Coordinators at Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, who support volunteers and children, make strong efforts to match volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles) who live within a short commute of one another, to ensure that it is not a challenge for them to meet each week. Volunteers in the school-based programs are matched with a child in grades 1-7 at a school close to their home or workplace – a perfect fit for those who want to volunteer during lunch hours during the work week.
Volunteering with Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver is a great way to feel like a kid again, with endless games, sports and hobbies to enjoy.
If you are interested in volunteering or know anyone who would be a good fit with the programs that Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver offers, please visit their website to find out how to apply: bigbrothersvancouver.com.
About Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver helps boys and girls aged 7 – 14 who would benefit from being matched with a positive adult role model. Together they do a number of fun activities 1-to-1 to build a strong friendship, providing children with increased confidence, positive self-esteem and greater academic potential.