Ottawa, ON — On Thursday, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa proudly hosted their relaunched Alumni Club at their social enterprise Thrive Select Thrift. This special gathering brought former mentors and mentees living in the Ottawa area to socialize with current mentors, share experiences, and strengthen their connections.
Local MPP Chandra Pasma was in attendance to celebrate a $97,200 OTF grant that helped support BBBSO’s expansion of community outreach and which helped make the first Alumni Club event in several years possible.
“I’ve seen firsthand how Big Brothers Big Sister of Ottawa makes such a profound difference in the lives of young people, giving them the support and mentorship they need to thrive. That’s why I’m so happy to see them be able to offer even more opportunities to youth, all while building sustainability and ensuring these opportunities will be available for many more years to come,” said Chandra Pasma, M.P.P. for Ottawa West—Nepean.
Supported by OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund grant, BBBSO was able to secure and develop resources to support the hiring of two key part-time contract positions: a Development Support Specialist and a Marketing & Communication Specialist. The new staff were tasked to develop multi-year strategies for expanding community outreach and generate additional revenue through in-person fundraising events and marketing.
“With the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, BBBSO has been able to take critical steps toward building our capacity, increasing our outreach, and strengthening our ability to serve more young people,” said Susan Ingram, Executive Director of BBBSO. “The Resilient Communities Fund has allowed us to implement sustainable strategies that will support long-term revenue generation, marketing, and community engagement.”
BBBSO’s one-to-one mentoring programs are more critical than ever in supporting the inclusion, security, and mental well-being of children and youth facing adversity. However, the organization is currently facing a waitlist of 100 young people in Ottawa and Renfrew County, with demand far exceeding its current capacity. While BBBSO continues to work diligently to provide life-changing mentorship opportunities, financial barriers have limited its ability to meet this need.
As a national organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the country’s leading child and youth mentoring charity. For one hundred years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has used mentoring programs to make a positive difference in the lives of our nation’s youth. Life-changing relationships enable and empower children and youth to reach their potential as individuals and citizens.
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
For more information, please contact:
Kait Price, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa
613.247.4776 ext. 341