Big Brothers Big Sisters gets boost from 100 Women

“Especially when you work in non profits, being able to access funding like that – a lot of manpower has to go into that, and a lot of coordination,” she said. “When we are able to receive a donation in that way it’s pretty remarkable for us.”

Sperling said by choosing to donate to a certain non profit, the 100 Women Who Care group shows they see the good work an organization is doing in the community. They realize and appreciate that the work is essential to the community’s wellbeing, and show that it’s something they value and deem important too.

She said the donation will allow BBBS to be able to continue to focus on its programming and “support youth in the community.”

Sperling said when the 100 Women Who Care group gives an organization funding they are essentially saying: ‘Hey, we’re behind you;’ ‘You’re doing good work.’

The local BBBS is still deciding how it will apply the donation.

“It will be directly used for programming with our youth in the community,” Sperling said.

Some of the programs BBBS provides for youth include connecting youth with mentors in the community to offer them a support system, such as through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

BBBS offers long-term community-based matches to connect youth to Big Brothers or Big Sisters, in one-to-one matches. The organization also offers group mentoring programs that are more short term, through community and the schools to help kids facing challenges.

Sperling said the organization is also involved with other programs in the community.

The organization is in the process of developing new programs based around group mentoring, focusing on issues youth need more guidance or support in dealing with.

BBBS youth can range from ages five to 18 for one-to-one support. There are also some programs, such as group-based ones, that serve youth from ages eight up to age 25.

The BBBS will be reporting back to 100 Women Who Care in May to advise them how the non profit was able to use the donation.

“For us, because of the spirit behind 100 Women it will be going directly towards our youth support programs,” said Sperling.

Sperling said numbers of youth involved in programs can vary, but overall BBBS The Battlefords has continued to grow over the last couple of years providing support to children and youth.

There are currently 11 youth connected in one-to-one matches, and from 45 to 50 youth in group matches. Sperling said overall in terms of youth served there’s over 200 at any given time that can be connected to a program BBBS is involved in.

She added there are always youth on BBBS’s waiting list to be connected to a Big Brother or Big Sister. Currently there are about 15 kids waiting for matches. From that number, about 11 are Little Brothers.

The total donations 100 Women Who Care The Battlefords have made to the community so far is now at more than $120,000. The group gives a large donation four times a year to a worthy charity chosen by its members.

100 Women Who Care group member Kim Morrison said supporting local causes makes a difference in the lives of people throughout The Battlefords and makes the community a better place.

“When we support local causes we improve the place we call home. Lives can be changed forever,” she said.

Deb McNabb who is also a member of 100 Women Who Care said she appreciates the fact the group members are what she calls “intentional women.”

She said during the group’s last meeting that by gathering together, “sharing our stories, and caring for one another, our community sees that we champion wellness, relationship, and are passionate women who desire to create lasting legacies.”

100 Women Who Care’s next meeting is May 9.

(submitted photo/Shannon Iverson)

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Big Brothers Big Sisters gets boost from 100 Women

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