Note From The Excecutive Director

Dear Members and Friends of Big Brothers Big Sisters:

As we say goodbye to the warmer weather and welcome fall, I am reminded of those of you who regardless of the weather, regardless of the season, keep on giving! A warm thank you to our volunteers, who season after season are making a difference in the lives of children throughout Hamilton and Burlington.

How can you continue to help? Forward the link for this blog to a friend and tell them you think they would make a great mentor. It is the spreading of the word about Big Brothers Big Sisters by our members that is our most successful recruitment tool.

In this blog you will find information on H1N1. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton and Burlington we have made the conscious decision not to impose a policy, but rather, to ask our families and volunteers to use their best judgment in terms of whether or not to have their regular contact with their match. In other words, please use good judgment and act on the side of caution if you are concerned about having the flu or being exposed to anyone with flu like symptoms.

We are VERY excited to announce the release of our new – state of the art website. Watch for our launch over the next month. Within our website there will be several fun and interesting spots to keep members and families informed as well as an opportunity for new volunteers to apply on-line.

Because you asked….within the body of this communication I will be starting to answer questions of interest that have been posed to me, since the last blog. Hopefully, you will find this new section of interest. Don’t hesitate to send your questions my way to Marianne@callbigbrothers.com.

WHAT IS THE ACTIVITY LINE? For many, many years now, our community has been very supportive of this agency by providing goods, discounts and tickets for our members use. When you dial our Hamilton office number 905-525-3860 and hit extension “3” this takes you to the activity line, where we let members and families know of upcoming events, discounts and free tickets. You simply follow the instructions.

WHAT IS THE COACH HOUSE? Our current Hamilton office was built many years ago by the volunteers from
Big Brothers with help from members of the community. Prior to this building being constructed and becoming our home, we owned a building on Victoria Street in Hamilton that was a former estate, with a “hired help residence” out back. Many, many years ago, during the days of horse and buggy, horses were housed in the building behind our former office. Eventually that area was turned into a recreation centre for members and thus called the “coach house”. When this building was erected, the members of the day wanted to keep our history alive and we named the recreation area downstairs “the coach house” in tribute to our humble beginnings. Every Big Brother and Big Sister in our traditional match has a key to the coach house and you are free to make use of this recreational space, with your little, at your leisure. The coach house is also home to our SOAR programs as well as training for Go Girls and Co-op High School mentoring.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT PROGRAM EXPANSION GOALS? Yes, we are growing. Our goal is to provide mentoring services to each child that comes forward in need of a mentor. In order to do this we continue to attempt new approaches, while maintaining our strict screening and selection process for volunteers. In January 2010 we hope to be in a position to offer a second SOAR program in Burlington as well as expanding our Go Girls! program to Burlington area schools.

Until next time, do enjoy the fall!

Marianne