Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central & Southern Interior of BC

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central and Southern Interior (BBBSCSI) our mission is to enable life changing Mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people, and our vision is for all young people to realize their full potential. Our Mentoring agency’s existence goes back over 50 years and was created in direct response to community needs. The Programs and Strategies we offer are research and evidence-based, accessible to all students, and delivered in partnership with local schools during school hours. The benefit to today’s community in the Central and Southern Interior of British Columbia is even greater as the demands on our children and youth have changed. Healthy development of children and youth is critical to the continued well-being of our communities. Children and youth are our future. The quality of their early lives and their healthy integration into civil society is important, not only to the on-going process of social health and renewal but also to our safety and security. All of our staff members are professionally trained, with a degree and training in Social Work, Education, Health Sciences, or the equivalent. Our agency partners with local schools, community volunteers, and practicum students.

At BBBSCSI, our vision is to have all young people realize their full potential. That’s why we have made it our mission to enable life changing Mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “[a]bout one in seven young people in [British Columbia]—or 14%—will experience a mental illness at some point. . . . [B]etween 50 and about 70% [of mental illnesses] show up before the age of 18, so they can have a huge impact on a child’s development. Mental illnesses can affect how well kids do in school and how they form relationships with other kids and adults. Mental illnesses, if not treated early, can be disruptive enough to a kid’s normal development that it can affect them for the rest of their lives.” Every child deserves the chance to thrive, which is why we offer Mentoring and Social-Emotional Learning Strategies to support them. Our programs address the goal of developing thoughtful, socially responsible youth. We embody the principles of diversity, welcoming any race, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We offer an extensive variety of one-to-one and group programs, and we have pivoted to offer these essential resources virtually. These are now offered both during and outside of school hours. Last year we served over 9,000 young people with our programs and resources. These effective and evidence-based programs are delivered to elementary, middle and high school students in a variety of communities throughout the Central and Southern Interior of British Columbia. They are designed to increase empathy, self-awareness, and self-regulation, therefore enhancing cognitive functioning, personal success, friendships, and resiliency in both students and communities. Mentoring is about the power of healthy relationships and helping children and youth reach their full potential. Children and youth in our mentoring programs gain self-esteem, problem-solving skills, psychological resilience, self-expression, and skills for building positive relationships with peers and adults. Mentors experience a sense of discovery and enjoyment as they see the world of possibility open up through a child’s eyes.