Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo

Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to enabling life-changing mentoring relationships for young people in the Wood Buffalo region. Registered with the Canada Revenue Agency under the Business Registration Number 118808443RR0001, the organization functions as a registered charity[4].

Mission

The primary mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo is to foster and ignite the power and potential of young people by creating supportive and impactful mentorship relationships. This aligns with their broader vision that all young people reach their full potential[4].

Programs and Services

The association offers a variety of mentoring programs designed for children and youth between the ages of 6 and 18. Key programs include:

• Community-Based Program: This is a one-to-one mentorship program that connects children with adult mentors in their community. The goal is to provide children with positive role models who can support their development and well-being[3].
• Group Programs: In addition to one-to-one mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo also offers group programs. These provide an environment where children can interact with multiple mentors and peers, fostering social skills and teamwork[2].

History and Impact

Established in the early years of the association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo has been actively serving the local community for over 40 years. Each year, they provide services to approximately 300 children and youth. The mentorship programs have been shown to have measurable and lasting positive impacts on the lives of the young participants, contributing to healthier childhood development and better community engagement[2][4].

Structure and Affiliation

Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and Big Brothers Big Sisters International. This affiliation ensures that the organization operates under the guidelines and standards set by these larger entities, while adapting its services to meet the specific needs of the Wood Buffalo community[4].

Contributions and Support

Donations and volunteer efforts are crucial to the organization's success, as they enable Big Brothers Big Sisters to continue providing free mentoring programs to those in need. Support from the community helps in creating powerful mentoring relationships that can shape the lives of young people positively[5].