MOU NT FOREST – An act of kindness can make an incredible difference in someone’s life.
“Everyone experiences some kind of trauma in life,” said Marianne Christie, executive director and mentoring coordinator at North Wellington Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Having support or having lack of support can ultimately define how a person can cope. We offer the right support at the right time. And it’s as simple as matching a child to an adult for a caring, mentoring relationship.”
Christie, who has been creating matches since 1995 and has also been a Big Sister, added, “We welcome mentors of all ages and from all different life experiences.”
Volunteer applicants in all programs at BBBS go through an extensive screening process. Ultimately those who join the program have an appreciation for that process.
“We are dealing with the most vulnerable sector,” Christie said.
Once a match is made, the pair will get together a few hours a week.
“Mentors advise and challenge their mentees. They provide greater consistency in their lives and connect them to opportunities and networks in the community that broaden their experience,” Christie said.
“For both the ‘Big’ and the ‘Little,’ the mentoring experience can be a life-lasting friendship built on trust and empowerment.”
Monitoring is ongoing. Christie connects with “Littles” (mentees), “Bigs” (mentors), parents and caregivers on a regular basis.
“We want to be transparent
and make sure the match is going well. I just love working with the kids, and I take pride in keeping them safe,” Christie said. “It is absolutely my passion.”
She has seen “Littles become Bigs or integral mentors, or group leaders.”
In-school mentoring Other programs at North Wellington BBBS include inschool mentoring, Go Girls and Game On. Teri Dykeman has been managing those programs for over 10 years now.
In-school mentors spend an hour weekly at the mentees school and enjoy various activities, not just schoolwork.
“It’s that attention. You have a child that’s maybe getting lost in the cracks. They hang out with someone once a week that they look forward
to seeing, that enjoys them and boosts their self-esteem,” said Christie.
Dykeman added, “It is always inspiring to watch the smile light up on the child/ youth’s face when they see their mentor and get to spend their quality time with them.”
Go Girls and Game On are seven-session, after-school programs for students in grades six through eight. The program is structured around four themes: physical activity, healthy eating, self-esteem and communication skills.
“Every one of our mentors gives their time and contributes to positive youth development, physical health and life-long success,” said Christie.
‘Building a relationship’ Brooke Drost heard about BBBS from a friend who had been a mentor. When she moved to Mount Forest three years ago and learned there was a local BBBS, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.
“I was looking for volunteer opportunities. I wanted to give back to my community and what better way than to inspire the next generation?”
Drost has a history of volunteerism that includes helping with VON (Victoria Order of Nurses) as a driver in Mount Forest and serving as an auxiliary member with the Wellington County OPP.
Drost has been mentoring her “Little” for over two years, getting together once a week to talk, go for drives, do homework and activities like “Mud Girl”.
“That was a super-memorable experience for me as we overcame obstacles together and crossed the finish line, side by side,” she said.
Drost added, “It’s great to see the development of your ‘Little’ and to realize that you were a small part in helping them to achieve certain milestones. It’s also very rewarding
NICOLE BESWITHERICK REPORTER
NORTH WELLINGTON –Volunteer Appreciation Week is back again, running April 14 to 20.
This year’s theme is “Every Moment Matters,” which “highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make at a moment when we need support more than ever,” Volunteer Canada states in its 2024 National Volunteer Week Campaign. Communities in north Wellington are holding events to celebrate.
Minto
Minto will be recognizing volunteers at its 13th annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on April 18.
The event is being held at the Palmerston and District Community Centre, and according to Mayor Dave Turton, over 200 volunteers are registered along with 26 different community groups.
“It’s just a little something that we [do to] try and give back,” said Turton.
“Volunteers are our strength and it’s very important to thank our volunteers and let them know how much they’re appreciated.”
Although the cut-off to RSVP to the dinner has passed, people are still encouraged to thank and celebrate community volunteers.
Minto also held its Northern Wellington Works volunteer and job fair on April 11 at Norwell District Secondary School in Palmerston.
Apart from a typical job fair, there were many groups and organizations registered to appear at the event to promote volunteer opportunities, stated Minto’s director of economic and community development Belinda Wick-Graham in an email to the Community News Wellington North The Township of Wellington North is hosting its fifth
Volunteer Celebration and Newcomer Welcome on April 18. This is the third year the township has done so, and the event will be held at the Arthur and Area Community Centre. The volunteer and newcomer events are held in Arthur in the spring, and in Mount Forest in the fall.
The community celebrations first began when in 2018, the municipality adopted its recreation master plan.
“One of the recommendations was to create a volunteer recognition program to celebrate the volunteers and their achievements and contributions. Volunteers are the backbone of 99 per cent of all the programs that go on in a town.”
The events are free-ofcharge, but do require registration as they fill up fast.
With only around 225 spots available, the April 18 event is full. However, Wilson explained that there will be more information about the next event on Sept. 12 coming out in the following months.
“Instead of [volunteers] feeding us at a charity meal or
“As part of that plan, it recognized the value of the volunteers and not only delivering high quality rec programming, but other programs and services as well,” said Mike Wilson, community development coordinator with Wellington North.
something, we can give them a meal and let them sit back and relax,” said Wilson. Also at the April 18 event, officials will announce the Senior of the Year Award recipient and recognize those receiving Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.
building that bond and getting to a place where they feel comfortable opening up to you.”
make a difference in the community ... all it takes is a few hours a week.”
“Big” Tasha Grafos said vol unteering at BBBS is “a great way to connect with others and
Grafos had been considering BBBS when she saw a call for volunteers last year and “was motivated to apply.”
Like Drost, Grafos has a long history of volunteerism, which has included being president of Egremont Community School’s Parent Council, a team manager for the Mount Forest
rewarding. “My ‘Little’ and I have done a lot of fun, new things.” They’ve gone up in a plane to Goderich for lunch and had a tour of the Mount Forest and District Sports
impact by providing friendship and guidance, and (being) an open and non-judgemental listener for our youth.”
opportunity of a lifetime. It is a very meaningful position to play.”
“Teegan got to learn how ice is made. We have a list of new things to try this summer,”
‘Life-changing friendship’ Dykeman noted, “We have the kindest, most caring volunteers who come to us with the desire to enhance a child or youth’s life and that is exactly what they do.”
“It’s great to make a positive
Zachary Martin, a full-time University of Guelph student, said both of his parents volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters. And now volunteering is a huge part of his life. At his high school graduation in 2022, he was the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award.
Dykeman spoke about watching friendships grow.
For him, being part of BBBS provides “the chance to be able to connect with and be a role model for my little brother in a one-on- one mentorship role.
“I’ve learned that my time commitment to this role has the power to have a lasting effect on the life of my little brother.”
“At first they are tentative with each other as they get to know each other, but over time they develop a closeness and friendship that can often carry on way past their promotion from our program,” Dykeman said. “It can be a life-changing friendship for both the volunteer and the child.”
Starting out was his biggest challenge, Martin noted.
Taking his “Little” Elyot to Canada’s Wonderland was “a huge milestone of trust – to have me looking after him at the park and being comfortable enough with that.”
Martin described volunteering with BBBS as “the
Christie said, “Without the generous support of the community, the organization would not survive.
“If Big Brothers Big Sisters can provide every young person who is struggling with a supportive Big Brother or Big Sister Mentor, individuals will thrive, communities will prosper, and the future is promising.”
