A Message from our BBBSKD Board President:
I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy in this uncharted new normal of physical distancing.
Our staff and board are adjusting, as most of us are, to working from home. We are taking this opportunity to explore new ways to deliver the excellent programs and services we offer.
Our mission is to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people. We are a Human Brand and an Essential Service. Our “Who” are the young people in our area who are in need of an additional developmental relationship. Our “How” are the matches we make between a Little and a Big. Our “What” focuses on Social Emotional Competence, Mental Health and Well-being, and Educational Engagement and Employment Readiness.
Especially during this time of social distancing, we are focused on the Mental Health and Well-being of our Littles. Mentoring relationships encourage positive identity, mental health and wellness, and social inclusion and empowerment. Even though we cannot be together in person, we are still providing an essential service for the young people we serve through online platforms, and we are encouraging our Bigs and Littles to meet virtually. This is a very challenging time and we want to make sure we are here for our Littles, Bigs and their families.
Now more than ever communication is key and we are in constant contact with our Littles, Bigs and their families to help bridge the in-person gap. We are able to do this by phone, online via Zoom and by providing activities and crafts through porch drop-offs.
We received this response from Becky V, one of our parents, “Thank you so very much!!! That gift bag was AMAZING!!! HUGE smiles from Rae!”
It is important that we also do regular virtual check-in meetings with our many volunteers, staff and the board. Mental health and well-being is vital, and during this stressful time, we are acutely aware just how important regular contact and connection is. We have made it a priority to have regular video conferences with you our dedicated volunteers, not only to plan and discuss our events and activities, but also to share how we are doing, and to offer support and friendship.
I am very proud of how our organization is continuing to provide services to our Littles with the restrictions in place.
If you have any questions, concerns or need to reach out to us, email Yolanda at yolanda.ritsema@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Please visit http://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19#coping for information, and tips on how to cope with COVID-19.
For the most up to date information, please visit our website: https://kincardine.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/ or follow us on Facebook @bigbrothers.kincardine or on Instagram @bbbskd
Stay safe.
Thank you,
Kelly Dagelman,
BBBSKD Board President