When you buy a ticket, you are ensuring that children and youth have access to healthy mentoring relationships and safe places to go after school.
THE BGC BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF EDMONTON & AREA
BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters (BGCBigs) is a community-supported organization committed to the healthy development of children, youth, and their families by providing safe places, positive relationships, services, and opportunities to develop personal strengths and interpersonal skills that enhance their long-term success in life.
Measured Moments.
Real Results.
BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area (BGCBigs) is a community-supported organization committed to the healthy development of children, youth, and their families by providing safe places, positive relationships, services, and opportunities to develop personal strengths and interpersonal skills that enhance their long-term success in life.
of our kids are more active because of a club.
of our kids make better choices because of a club.
of our kids feel more confident because of a club.
Children and
youth served
Volunteers
Total Mentoring Volunteer Hours
Snacks Served
New Mentoring Matches Made
Real Stories.
Sharing REAL stories about REAL kids with REAL mentors, who are having a REAL impact for REAL change.
I’m A.J. Keller. I’ve been a Big Brother with BGCBigs for seven years. My “Big” journey has been amazing. I’ve been lucky enough to have had 4 Little Brothers. I’ve made 4 friendships that will leave a lasting impression on me, and hopefully on my Little Brothers, too.
My current “Little” is Colby. He’s a very thoughtful 12-year-old that loves going on adventures. When we were matched, we started talking about our favourite activities. Colby told me all about Geocaching. When I realized it was basically Treasure Hunting, I knew we had to try it.
I’ll never forget the feeling of finding our first “cache”! It was extremely exciting for both of us! Geocaching is a great way to spend time outside and do problem solving as a team.
I imagine most adults would assume that our “Littles” are always learning from us. This time, I definitely learned something from my “Little”. That collaboration is what I love about being a Big Brother. I don’t have to dictate what we do or where we go. Colby and I pick our activities together.
I would recommend being a Big Brother or Big Sister to anyone. When I volunteer with BGCBigs, I feel like I’m doing something good for the community. However, I also believe that volunteering as a Big Brother is good for my mental health. Colby’s energy and curiosity is infectious. I truly believe I’m better off because I’m a Big Brother.”
– A.J. Keller, Volunteer Mentor
“What I enjoy most about being a volunteer has to be the joy and excitement that builds up leading to each hangout with my little. When it’s your choice to volunteer, you have that much more passion and joy out of programs like BGCBigs. Being a volunteer has brought me such happiness and purpose and I enjoy most seeing the happiness and friendship created with my mentee. You become someone they look up to and that’s inspiring.
Being a volunteer benefits me in ways I never thought would happen, I have gained great personal friendships with other volunteers. It has shined a light of being proud of the program I choose with being the PRISM program and providing safety for queer youth. Being a volunteer also benefits me by getting me out of my potentially small box of things I would have done and provided me with a bazillion other things I can do with my little or others. I’m only 4 months into the program and I can truly say it has changed my life.”
– Jae Borne, PRISM Mentor
“I really appreciated how the BGCBigs program takes into account your personality, strengths, and interests to match you with a mentee that will complement those various individualistic traits. I felt supported the entire time due to the open and quick communication with my Mentoring Facilitator. The online and in-person training sessions that were offered also gave me quick and easy access to various tools to add to my toolbox as a mentor!
Being a volunteer has increased my sense of self-worth; I feel so proud to be selected as a mentor. I often find myself questioning my purpose, stressing that I am not making a difference in this world, and that is where volunteering has fulfilled me most. Upon hearing how excited my mentees are to see me, or that I was missed, or that they enjoy spending time with me, never fails to fill up my cup!”
– Emily Doro, Students Mentoring Students Bursary Program Volunteer Mentor
“I attended the Rundle Boys and Girls Club from 2006-2013. I lived in the surrounding neighbourhood and would spend most evenings at the Club. Here I would play on the computer, dance, practice art, cook and make dinner, and help with chores. Being at the Club allowed me to be in an environment where I felt safe and appreciated by adults. Having the opportunity to attend the Rundle Club was imperative to my development. I was left at home alone majority of the time and as an only child I didn’t always feel supported and cared for, but the Club staff always made me feel cared for. The Rundle club helped me stay in a safe space and away from the negative influences of my neighbourhood.
During my time at the Rundle Club, I participated in the (only) club dance group! We would practice every week and choreograph our own dances with our own dance uniforms. We performed at various community events, galas and even got to perform at a radio’s livestream. Aside from our dance group, I participated in art programs, sports and loved going on field trips. We got to attend a field trip at the McCauley Club where we met some basketball players from the Toronto Raptors, including Chris Bosh!
While in high school, I was brought back to BGCBigs through the All in For Youth initiative. Here I would study, complete homework, and get help from the staff and volunteers. I am so grateful for this program to be available to me. Because of the Eastglen coordinator, Tokunbo, I not only graduated with honours, but won the $10,000 Ted Rogers scholarship!
I am incredibly grateful for BGCBigs and all that it’s done for me. I would not be where I am today without the support and compassion from the staff and agency.”
– Marilynn Burch-Harvey, BGCBigs Club Coordinator
MENTORING
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