VISION
Children and youth in our community have access to impactful, life-changing mentoring relationships.
MISSION
We foster and support safe and empowering mentoring relationships for children and youth in our diverse community.
VALUES
We believe that by delivering high quality volunteer-based mentoring programs our work will lead to changed lives through the power of mentoring so that children and youth will achieve their potential.
ISSUE
Many children and youth across Waterloo Region struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives.
IMPACT
Facing prolonged adversity creates toxic stress in the brain that can negatively impact development.
SOLUTION
With the support of a mentor, these risks can be reduced or even avoided, and youth can reach their full potential.
Our Solution
Many children and youth across Waterloo Region struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives like detrimental living conditions, family violence, risk factors for mental health, school issues and identity challenges.
These circumstances have nothing to do with the value of who they are or who they can become, but because of these situations, children and youth risk not having the opportunity to live up to their full potential.
Even worse is the possibility of continuing cycles of poverty and crime or developing mental health issues.
This comes at a cost to the young person, and to our community.
With the guidance and support of a mentor, these risks can be reduced or even avoided, and youth are reminded they can be anything they dream of being.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region currently benefits over 1300 children with the support of 550 incredible volunteers.
Our Approach
We provide direct service to children by matching volunteers and youths in quality mentoring relationships. Our agency staff members are experts at screening volunteers and matching them with a mentee having similar interests.
Ranging from staff training workshops to our leading Child Safety Program, together, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region work diligently to ensure we have superior quality programming across Waterloo Region.