Need for mentors highlighted during Big Brothers Big Sisters Month

As September’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Month begins, officials with the Oxford County chapter are pointing to a “critical need” for more volunteer mentors.

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County has experienced an unprecedented surge in the number of youth registration in its programs. Many of these youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters officials noted, have endured “adverse childhood experiences” in recent years. Research, though, suggests additional supportive developmental relationships in a child’s life, such as a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, can help mitigate the impacts of these adverse experiences.

“The efforts of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County are recognized as an investment in the future of our community,” Liz Wismer-Van Meer, the organization’s communications manager, said in a release.

The demand for Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have been soared by more than 200 per cent in the past year as more young people and their caregivers seek the agency’s support. Volunteer enlistment, however, has not kept pace, officials said. Additionally, the agency does not receive any ongoing government funding, which means Big Brothers Big Sisters relies on grants, fundraising, sponsorships and donations to maintain its programming. Again, the agency’s funding is not keeping pace with the demands for its services, Wismer-Van Meer said.

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“We envision a community where all young people are empowered to realize their full potential, and every youth who needs a mentor has a mentor,” she said.

The local Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a fixture in the Oxford County community for 55 years, providing supportive mentors — “consistent and nurturing developmental relationships” — for young people facing adversity. But in Oxford County, there are roughly 150 young people presently waiting to be matched with a mentor, not including youth who are enrolled in the agency’s school-based programs.

As Big Brothers Big Sisters officials noted in the release, mentoring involves as little as one hour each week but can have a lasting impact on that young person’s life.

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Anyone wanting more information about the programs offered through Big Brothers Big Sisters, or are considering becoming a mentor, can visit www.oxford.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca. The agency’s volunteer recruitment and engagement co-ordinator, Erica Hughes, can also be contacted at 519-537-6404 or via email at [email protected].

As part of Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, local businesses and groups are showing their support through the Turn the Town Teal campaign, which encourages folks to create appropriately colored displays to help raise awareness about the charity and its ongoing need for mentors.

“Whether it is a display in your front window, office entrance, lunchroom or waiting room, we look forward to seeing your creativity and see a wave of teal through Oxford County,” Wismer-Van Meer said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Month is celebrated every September, including a special day on Sept. 18. The Oxford County chapter encourages residents to follow its social media pages and website as it celebrates to see how they can support and raise awareness on the importance of mentorship in the community.

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