Jul22

One-to-one youth mentorship has been given a tremendous boost thanks to a transformational $3.1 million donation by Scotiabank to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, whose funds have already been delivered, in part, to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Red Deer and District through the Thriving Communities project.

The Thriving Communities project aims to boost the delivery of one-to-one mentorship opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations. The donation by Scotiabank will accelerate one-to-one mentoring relationships through investment into core programming in the communities we serve, focused primarily on community-based (one-to-one) matches and in school mentoring programs, directly changing the lives of hundreds of youth and their families in communities across central Alberta. The donation will also build the capacity for youth mentorship through support for volunteer recruitment and impact measurement initiatives.

“The presence of one caring adult can make all the difference in a young person’s life,” says W. Matthew Chater, National President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “Research shows that one-to-one mentoring has a Social Return on Investment of $23-to-1 when it comes to the long-term economic, health, and social outcomes for youth in the most vulnerable situations. With this proven intervention, Scotiabank’s donation will have an extraordinary impact on young Canadians.”

BBBS of Red Deer and District is thrilled to be a partner in this project, and values this exciting opportunity to grow mentorship in central Alberta. Funds received will enable us to provide children with caring relationships to help them build life-long developmental assets to become successful and contributing members of our communities.