Note from the Executive Director

As promised, I am going to continue to put to print articles featuring questions I have been asked since our last publication. These days it seems as though I am continually being asked, "how will the uncertain economy effect Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton and Burlington"? My first response "we continue to focus on what we do best, matching young people with caring adult mentors”. As a volunteer-driven organization we are continuing to recruit, train and provide ongoing professional support to foster the success of our mentoring relationships. Are we doing business differently? Yes we are.
We are finding ourselves needing to be more creative and resourceful in the way we operate. It is our responsibility to always be evaluating and paying attention to our efficiencies. Unfortunately, the reduction in available funds and the ever growing need to place mentors in the lives of children has resulted in a much higher caseload per worker. We continue to explore and utilize students and other means to continue to reach out where possible, but some of the feedback I am getting is that we are at times frustrating our membership with so very many changes. Every child, family and volunteer mentor within our organization has been assigned a service team staff member as your key contact. Others from our staff, student or volunteer compliment may be in touch from time to time, but a service staff member remains your primary contact.
I believe that now more than ever before the children and youth in our community need mentorship to give them hope for the future. At BBBS of Hamilton and Burlington we are incredibly fortunate to have the support we do from our dedicated and passionate volunteers, as well as from our committed and steadfast donors.
Together we will weather this storm of uncertain times; the children in our program are counting on it!


Marianne Noakes
Executive Director

STAFF OF BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

Hamilton Office 905-525-3860
Activity Line X 3
Bob Salac X 308

Vicki Farthing X 319

Laura Hickerson X 310

Helen Metz X 303

Rebecca Hart X 304

Greg Whelan X 317

Miriam Oda X 305

Michelle Cleugh 318

Marianne Noakes X 312

Rosalie Wilson X 0
Lisa HindMarsh X 306

Joyce Mullally x 302
Vanessa Poletto X 311
Becky Van Rootselaar x309
Stephanie Hampson x 0
Kim Irish x 333
Burlington Office 905-637-9911

The end of our printed newsletter

Starting with our next publication if you have not provided us with an electronic email address, you will need to access our blog through our website at www.callbigbrothers.com. Our blog can be found by... (Going to our web site at www.callbigbrothers.com and clicking on the Quick link) or you can go directly to the blog at http://callbigbrothers.blogspot.com/.

OUR BIG AND LITTLE MODELS

Thank You So Very Much To

Sakineh & Cassandra Chyanne & Andreana and Ted for telling their story to the media so it could be heard by others. Throughout the past month we have been featured in local media by way of great testimonials from our Little's and Bigs.

The sharing of there real life stories makes a huge difference for us, from recruiting volunteers to attracting donors to this organization. Our Thanks!

WILL YOU BE OUR NEXT MODEL?

Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to hear from matches in the Big & Little program, Soar program or In School Mentoring Program who would be willing to tell their story to the media. We will take their photo-ask the questions and write the article. SMILE and email Marianne@callbigbrothers.com and we'll get started on making you "Big Brothers Big Sisters next top model".

THANK YOU

Big Brothers Big Sisters relies heavily on Community, Corporate and Government supporters.
We would like to thank the following partners for their generous support: Avon Canada
Frank Cowan Foundation

Halton Investment Fund
Government of Ontario - Ministry of Education
United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton
UPS
Government of Canada
Government of Ontario (OMAFRA)

NAME OUR NEWS LETTER

We have set aside a great treat for anyone who enters our name our E-NEWSLETTER contest...here are some of the suggestions received to date

BETWEEN FRIENDS SHARE A LITTLE MAGIC Go BIG Blog
Send me an email with your suggestion or vote for one of the names above. Marianne@callbigbrothers.com

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton & Burlington has numerous events planned for the next couple of months. The success of these events is largely dependant on the assistance of volunteers.
These events include;
1. Thursday March 4, McMaster Bowl for Kids Sake, Mountain Lanes 6-8pm
2. Saturday March 6, Bowl for Kids Sake –PrimeTime Bowling Burlington 12 - 5pm
3. Saturday March 13, BFKS – Skyway Lanes- Hamilton 12-5pm
4. Sunday March 14, BFKS – Sherwood Lanes 6-9pm
5. Friday March 19 Stars Academy Concert- Burlington 8pm to close
Volunteers are needed to assist with a third party event that involves at least four
local bands, this is a licensed event, you must be 19yrs of age.
6. Friday March 26, BFKS – Roseland Bowl- Burlington 4-8pm
7. Saturday March 27, BFKS – Skyway Lanes- Hamilton 11-6pm
Wednesday March 31, BFKS – PrimeTime Bowling- Burlington 5-8pm

Volunteers at the Bowl for Kids Sake events will assist in participant registration, accounting tasks, and participant customer service.All of these are high tempo, fun events to be part of. If you are interested in volunteering at any of these events, please contact Bob, Special Event & Volunteer Coordinator, rsalac@callbigbrothers.com or 905-525-3860 x 308

Big And Littles in Burlington

Bigs and Littles in Burlington
Ever wish you had somewhere cool to hang together?
Bigs and Littles in Hamilton – Are you tired of the same activities all the time?
Get ready to visit a place that has it all!
BBBS has teamed up with Velocity, a youth center in Burlington,
to provide our matches with a cool place to hang out.
Join us on Saturday February 20th,
Saturday March 20th
and Saturday April 24th
from 10am – 1 pm at Velocity,
located at 3230 Fairview Street in Burlington
(Near Burlington Mall)
Velocity is a fun place for all youth - with an amazing lounge area, big screen TV,
dance floor, pool tables and lots of games available.
And for the adults - free parking!
First come first serve – please call to reserve your spot.
Contact Becky (ext. 309) or Helen (ext. 303) at 905-525-3860