FERGUS – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington (BBBSCW) has announced the expansion of its mentorship programs, made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grow Grant.
The grant is for $466,900 over the next three years.
The funding will allow BBBSCW to address the increasing needs of youth in Centre Wellington by enhancing access to diverse, experiential learning opportunities that build life skills and promote meaningful community engagement.
With this expansion, BBBSCW will create 25 new mentor-mentee matches each year—helping to significantly reduce the current 2.5-year waitlist for youth seeking mentors.
In addition, the organization will launch a targeted volunteer recruitment initiative, focusing on increasing the number of male mentors through regular group activities aligned with community interests.
“We are deeply grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting our mission to empower youth,” said BBBSCW executive director Anneli Segura.
“This funding will allow us to grow our impact by offering more opportunities for young people to thrive, while also bringing new volunteers into our organization to help guide and inspire the next generation.”
New and enhanced programming will include:
– job shadowing and career planning to boost job readiness;
– bicycle education and repair clinics to promote active transportation and hands-on learning;
– mindfulness in nature sessions to support mental wellness;
– nutrition and cooking classes to address food security; and
– music instruction to foster creativity and self-expression.
To ensure equitable access, BBBSCW will offer subsidized or free transportation for families with financial or accessibility challenges, ensuring all youth will have the opportunity to participate fully in these transformative programs, officials say.
They add this initiative directly aligns with the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s priorities by helping youth develop strong social, emotional, and leadership skills.
“It will empower youth to build lasting relationships, explore career pathways, and become active contributors to their community,” officials stated.
“By expanding mentorship and delivering meaningful programming, BBBSCW is working to create a lasting social impact – equipping youth with the confidence and tools they need to reach their full potential.”
