Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
…One Child at a Time!
Making a Difference …
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Big Bunch Program
• Started in 2004
• Program for youth on wait list
• 300 children enrolled
• 164 volunteers
• 4-6 activities coordinated a month• Program dependant on funding and
volunteers (Community Campaign for Kids)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Big Bunch Coordinator
• Organizes activities for 2 month period• Sends bulletin to volunteers and families • Bulletin outlines activities and requirements• Requests taken from families and volunteers• Two weeks prior to activities, volunteers/team
lead assigned their activity’s matches• Volunteers emailed who they are picking up
along with their address and contact information and pertinent activity details
• Caseworker is always available on activity day
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Program Process - Family
• Families submit an application to participate
• Family interview & Child Safety Training conducted
• Bi-monthly bulletin sent to families • Outlines 6-8 events (some events
co-ed)• Families make 1st and 2nd choice • Try to accommodate all requests• Restrictions result due to limited
volunteers
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Program Overview - Volunteer
• Flexible program for volunteers• Volunteers must be 18 years old to mentor• Complete following forms:
– Program Application– Police Check – Confidentiality Agreement– Submit references by employer, family and character
• In person interview takes place that lasts approximately 1.5 hours – Talk about personal history, activity process and next
steps
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Volunteering – Next Steps– Once paperwork completed, volunteers attend
training that includes Child Safety– Process typically takes up to 2 months but dependant
on Police Check– Receive bi-monthly mailing – Contact caseworker for activities of interest– Required to volunteer once a month– 2 (max. 3) Children assigned per volunteer– Not always the same children
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Program Overview - Volunteer
• Volunteer contacts the family one week in advance to make travel arrangements
• Volunteer informed of any requirements to remind family (Children must be ready)
• Volunteer Team Leader assigned to oversee group (Caseworker always available)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
1:1 in Bunch
Sub-Program of the Big Bunch leading to the 1:1 program. Good program if
• All approvals may not be complete
• Funding or time commitment may be a problem for volunteer
• Program provides consistent mentoring
• Volunteers pick up the same children
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Program StatisticsQuestionnaire sent at the end of each year• 82% of parents agreed that their child benefitted from
the positive interaction with mentors in Big Bunch • 78% of parents agreed Big Bunch provided increased
opportunities for their child to be physically active. • 73% of parents agreed that their child participated in
more community activities through the program.• 97% of children reported that they had fun at Big
Bunch outings this year. • 84% of children reported that they felt better about
themselves.• 94% of volunteers rated their experience with the
program as Excellent.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Program Costs and Structure• Program costs approximately
$140,800• Expenses include:
– Salaries of one full-time caseworker
– Family Assessment, & Volunteer screening
– Occupancy Costs - Office Space, Computer Equipment, Program Marketing
– Program Supplies and Materials
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Corporate Social Responsibility
Opportunities for businesses:
• Host a Lunch and Learn• Become a Big Bunch Host• Sponsor a Big Bunch
Activity• Make a Product Donations• Encourage Staff to become
mentors• Identify an Ambassador
(internal champion)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Past Corporate Activities• EB Games
– 50 children and 25 volunteers– BBQ, Games, Take home & competitions
• PCL – BMO Field Soccer Workshop– Bus 30 children 15 volunteers– Tour of facility & Soccer workshop– Lunch at stadium
• Simply Divine - Spa night 10 teens
• Premier Fitness – Swimming
excursions & Gym Nights
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Corporate Activity Ideas• Sports Related Activities
– Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Soccer
• Kitchen- Cooking Class• Computer Workshops• Spa Night, Hairdressing • Games Night at your office• Restaurant/Business tours• Garden Clinic • Craft Night • Stock Market• Music Industry • Scavenger Hunt• Dance Classes• Flower Arranging
• Mechanics Class• Woodworking• Canoeing/ Kayaking• Hiking• Yoga• Martial Arts• Bowling• Art• Pottery
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Program Needs
• Volunteers• Activity Hosts• Sponsorship
– Activity Outing – Activity Bins
• In-Kind Donations – Craft supplies, sports equipment, swimming coupons,
movie tickets,– Gift Certificates – Dairy Queen, Pizza– Granola Bars, Fruit juice, Snacks
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Working Our Networks• Who do you know who can help support
our Big Bunch Program
• Make one connection