GRANTS IN ACTION: BBBSSBNH In-School Mentoring

GRANTS IN ACTION: Big Brothers Big Sisters Expands In-School Mentoring Program

    With support from a 2025 Spring Community Grant from Community Foundation Grey Bruce, Big Brothers Big Sisters South Bruce North Huron expanded their In-School Mentoring Program across Bruce County, helping more children and youth connect with caring adult mentors. Through this project, the organization was able to recruit and train new volunteers, reduce waitlists, and provide more students with access to positive, supportive relationships that foster confidence, resilience, and personal growth.

    The In-School Mentoring Program pairs young people with caring adult mentors who provide encouragement, friendship, and positive role modeling. As demand for the program continued to grow, many students identified by their schools and families were waiting for a mentor match. Grant funding allowed Big Brothers Big Sisters South Bruce North Huron to expand the program by purchasing additional activity supplies and investing in online volunteer recruitment. This support enabled the organization to bring new mentors into the program more quickly and ensure they were trained and ready before the start of the school year.

    As a result, the organization successfully added several new volunteers and significantly reduced the number of children waiting to participate. The expansion created immediate benefits for students throughout Bruce County, providing more young people with access to the guidance and support they need to thrive. Beyond supporting students, the program also created meaningful experiences for community volunteers, many of whom were serving as mentors for the first time. Participants reported gaining a strong sense of purpose and connection through their involvement.

    The impact of mentoring was felt not only by students, but also by the volunteers who dedicated their time to the program. One new mentor shared:

 "Getting to sit and hang out with my student has brought incredible fulfillment to me and it is now something I look forward to every week. Her energy is very infectious and I am so happy that I took the plunge and decided to volunteer."       – Samantha D.

    By expanding its In-School Mentoring Program in Bruce County, Big Brothers Big Sisters South Bruce North Huron has created more opportunities for children and youth to benefit from positive, supportive relationships. The project helped connect more students with mentors who encourage personal growth, build confidence, and provide a trusted source of support. Community Foundation Grey Bruce is proud to support initiatives that foster wellbeing, belonging, and opportunity for children and families across our region