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Winter 2024
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe has had a busy winter!
Thank you to all who participated in our Holiday Survivor fundraiser, this is always a fun event and a chance to win! Congratulations to all our winners!

We also had our annual Holiday Party for our Bigs and Littles, this is always a great event, and this year was our biggest turn out! A BIG thank you to our Board for helping the team, Paul Haskill for his photography, Tim for joining us as Santa, Midland Rotary Club, Penetanguishene Lions Club, Rock 95/Kool FM and our private donors! We wouldn't be able to do this annual event without our community support.

January was Mentoring Month across Canada! BBBSNS is so thankful to have so many amazing Mentors who take time from their busy lives to help support local youth.
Big Testiomional 

Everything with my match is going really well. She seems to trust me a lot more, and we have done so many different activities (caramel apple dipping, tie dye t-shirts, made stuffed animals, and friendship bracelets). I am enjoying my time very much. I would describe the relationship as a "sister like relationship". What keeps me going is seeing the progress we have made from day one until now.
- Big Sister, Community 1:1 Mentor
Meet a Mentor!
I decided to become a Teen Mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters for many different reasons. One of the main reasons is because I wanted to volunteer in my community. I wanted to personally see the change I could make in my community and know that I can help someone in need of a good role model in their life. Another reason why I became a Teen Mentor is because of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. It is a well-respected organization that runs different programs that make a difference in the lives of kids. There is a lot of communication with the organization to make sure that my volunteering experience is positive for me and my mentee. My older brother is also a Teen Mentor and has had a positive experience with the program, which motivated me to want to do the same. If I ever have questions about the program, they are always willing to help me. I also became a mentor so I can get important real-life experience. I have gotten better at writing emails, being responsible role model, and independence. These are some of the reasons why I decided to become a Teen Mentor and make a difference in my community.
- Neve, Teen Mentor
Match Anniversaries!
We just celebrated 3 match anniversaries this month!
- Caleb & Adam 4 years matched
- Lois & Emma 1 year matched
- Cindy & Sky 1 year matched

Thank you to our dedicated Mentors for taking the time to help ignite the potenital in local youth!
Male Mentors Needed!!

Did you know, that out of our 40 young people wait list, 24 of them are male identifying youth?
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Did you also know that we have ZERO male identifying mentors to match them with?
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Can you help to ignite the potential in these young people? Reach out to LeeAnne to learn how you can help 705-526-5051 or click the button below to inqure!
Learn more here!
Bowl for Kids Sake!
 
We are excited to bring Bowl for Kids Sake back May 9th, 10th and 11th!
Join us At Bayshore Lanes, Knight Haven Lanes, and Springwater Lanes for the return of Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe's Bowl for Kids Sake event!

Recruit a Team of 4-6 Bowlers and sign up today! 

Registration $50 a person, or fundraise for the event to have a chance to win some amazing prizes!! Help us surpass our goal of $30,000 to help support the youth in Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay, Springwater and Christian Island.

When: May 9th, 10th and 11th 2024

Bayshore Lanes - Midland
Thursday May 9th 1:00-3:00
Friday May 10th 4:00-6:00 and 7:00-9:00
Saturday May 11th 4:00-6:00 and 7:00-9:00

Knight Haven Lanes - Penetanguishene
Friday May 10th 4:00-6:00 and 7:00-9:00
Saturday May 11th 11:00-1:00 (Family Bowl) and 7:00-9:00

Springwater Lanes - Elmvale
Friday May 10th 4:00-6:00 and 7:00-9:00
Saturday May 11th 7:00-9:00

Spaces are limited, register early to get your preferred spot!
 
REGISTER HERE!

Meet our new matches!

Alyssa & Takiya
Carly & Khaleesi
Lucas & Logan
Kevin & Akshay
Rob & Chijindu

Our Program Manager LeeAnne has been busy since the start of 2024. In the past two months she has created FIVE new matches! We can't wait to see how these matches grow over the next few months.
Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who step up to support young people here in North Simcoe, you are making a difference in our community and the lives of youth!
Male Mentors Needed!!

We currently have 24 male identifying youth on our wait list and no male mentors to match them with!!

Do you or someone you know what to learn more about getting involved in mentoring? Reach out to our office today to learn more and help ignite the potential in local youth.

Call the office at 705-526-5051 or email LeeAnne at leeanne.addley@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Little Sister
I am 6 years old living in Midland and am looking for a Big Sister who is happy, and enjoys a bunch of different activities.

I enjoy crafts, playdough, playing at the park, movies, lego, swimming, going for walks and playing games. I would like to teach my Big about math.

Little  Brother
I am 7 years old and live in Tay, I am looking for a Big Brother who is funny, shares the same interests, and someone to chat with.
I enjoy lego, playing in the snow, soccer, basketball, cooking, biking, and being outdoors. I would like to teach my mentor different biking skills.

Do you think you could be a good match for either of these young people? If so, reach out to LeeAnne to find out more information 705-526-5051
Meet Erin!
Erin is an experienced programs coordinator with a background in education and inclusive community development. She is excited to join the BBBS North Simcoe Team!

She looks forward to supporting the individual, group, in-school and community mentoring programs that are offered by BBBS as well as connecting with children, youth and mentors in North Simcoe.

Erin will be your go to for all things Game On, Go Girls and Teen Mentoring. 

Welcome to the BBBSNS team Erin!
Bingo Volunteers Needed!
 
One of the ways that BBBSNS fundraises is through our partnership with Delta Bingo and Gaming. Every month BBBSNS is scheduled between 4-5 shifts at the Bingo Hall in Penetanguishene. These are 2 hours shifts, you are there to help greet customers, wipe machines, and support the Bingo Hall staff where needed. 

This is a significant source of BBBSNS income that we are so grateful for, but we need more volunteers to help with these shifts.

Our shifts are typically daytime shifts and on weekdays. If you or someone you know would like to help support our agency with these Bingo shifts, please reach out to Haylie at 705-526-5051 or email at haylie.taylor@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca.
Annual Sponsors/Donors
Did you know that Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe does not receive any sustainable government funding?

Without our amazing local businesses, we would not be able to continue to serve the youth in North Simcoe!

As an Annual Sponsor your business will receive advertising through events. As a Annual Donor your business will receive a tax receipt for your full donation.

We are looking for more Annual Sponsors and Donors.

If you would like to learn more about how you can help support the work that BBBSNS does in North Simcoe, reach out to Haylie at 705-526-5051 or haylie.taylor@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
Telus Futures Friendly Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe is excited to announce that we were successful in our Telus Futures Friendly Foundation grant! This grant is to help us expand our Teen Mentoring and In School Mentoring programs to the rural communities we serve!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Did you know that BBBSNS has a DEI lending library? 
Thanks to a grant from the Government of Canada from the Community Services Recovery Fund. These resources are available to all members in our agency, including Littles, Bigs, Teen Mentors, parents/guardians, Board members, and staff. The collection spans important topics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and more.
1:1 Community Mentoring
Waiting List
We currently have 40 young people waiting for a Big! If you are thinking about getting involved in your community, reach out to our office to see if Mentoring would be a good fit!
In School Mentoring
Waiting List
BBBSNS is currently in 6 schools, and we have 2 schools waiting. We have over 150 young people in the schools waiting for a Mentor! 
1 hour a week is all it takes to help support a young person. If you are interested in learning more, reach out to our office today or use the link below to inquire!
Activity to do with your Little
 

Here is a fun, easy activitiy to do with you Little this month, try regrowing some celery! This can be the start of learning how to garden! Click the link above for the directions.
 
Regrow your own celery!

Summer Camp

We are excited to announce that Summer Camp registration will be opening in April! We will be offering 8 weeks of summer camp for those aged 4-6 at the Penetanguishene Museum and 8 weeks of summer camp for those aged 7-10 at the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre! Each week will be filled with lots of outdoor time, arts & crafts, STEM activities, music, and so much more! To be added to our camp email list please contact ashleigh@bgcnorthsimcoe.com

And to keep up to date with our various programs and activities please check our website bgcnorthsimcoe.com and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
366 Midland Ave, Suite E3,
Midland Ontario L4R 3K7
joann.stephan@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca
705-526-5051