History


In 2010 - 2011, 1,763 children and their families participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area programs and services. In just that year, our volunteers gave 108,096 hours of volunteer time. That is equal to over 12 cumulative years of mentoring given in just one year. Currently, Big Brothers Big Sisters operates in all 50 US states, 10 Canadian provinces and one territory as well as in 35 other countries.There is currently about a 15 month wait time to match Big Brothers to Little Brothers due to a shortgae of male mentors.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters movement began in New York in 1904 as simply Big Brothers. By 1916, Big Brothers organizations were in 96 different cities throughout the United States. The movement spread to Canada in 1916 in Toronto.

Big Brothers Big Sisters programs began in Calgary in 1977 through the Canadian Progress Clubs of Calgary. In 1994, Uncles at Large, Aunts at Large and Big Sisters of Calgary officially came together to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area. In 2008, Alberta Mentorship Foundation for Youth merged with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area to expand mentoring opportunities to youth in the Calgary area.

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Mission: To impact the lives of young people and volunteers through the power of mentoring.


Vision: Every young person has a mentor.


About the Organization    
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area (BBBS Calgary) is an incorporated non-profit registered charity that was founded by the Canadian Progress Clubs of Calgary in 1994, through the merger of Uncles at Large, Aunts at Large and Big Sisters of Calgary. In 2010-2011 we served 1,763 young people and families through mentoring programs and services. The organization is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

Registered Charity # 14015 1259 RR0001


What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a relationship between a caring individual and a young person that provides support, friendship and guidance over time.


Who are Big Brothers and Big Sisters?
Big Brother and Big Sister mentors are caring individuals who volunteer their time because they want to make a lasting difference in the life of a young person. Bigs come from a variety of backgrounds including students, professionals, tradespeople, homemakers and retirees.


Who are Little Brothers and Little Sisters?
Mentoring programs are available to children and youth 6 to 18 years of age from diverse backgrounds who are referred to BBBS Calgary by schools, parents, guardians or other community professionals. Youth can also self-nominate themselves to a program.


Impacts of Mentoring
Mentorship has a positive impact on the lives of children and youth by improving their self-esteem, relationships with others, and understanding of the value of education. Mentorship also provides positive youth development and the resiliency to reach their potential. BBBS Calgary programs are preventative and help ensure that youth become productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our community - socially, professionally and personally.

Research has shown the following positive benefits to youth who have access to BBBS programs:

  • 90% of the children had improved relations with their peers

  • 75% showed an increase in grades and attendance

  • 80% graduated from high school compared to their unmatched peers

  • 78% of the children from a social assistance background no longer relied on this form of support

  • 45% were less likely than a control group to initiate drug use