Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords is busy in its new location after hiring new staff Wednesday.
The organization, which is now at #703-1101-101 St, had been led by Valerie Montgomery-Bull alone. From her office overlooking the river valley and a small house before that, she had ran Big Brothers Big Sisters the Battlefords administratively, interviewed prospective big brothers and big sisters and paired volunteers with little brothers and little sisters.
The addition of Erin Elliott to the staff as a caseworker will help the organization pair volunteers with little brothers and little sisters more quickly and efficiently. Valerie Montgomery-Bull, the Big Brother Big Sisters the Battlefords program co-ordinator explained that the position of caseworker is of crucial importance - volunteers are ideally matched to little brothers and little sisters who match their personality. A good match will last longer and is more likely to turn into a real friendship, which is better for everyone.
With its large variety of programs, the Battlefords BBBS has been a major force in the Battlefords community for years. In addition to its regular volunteer program, the organization also runs in-school mentoring programs, group-only volunteer programs and fundraising events like Bowl for Kids Sake, which raised $15,000 in 2010 for the organization. All of the money raised by the organization stays in the Battlefords.
Explained Montgomery-Bull, "every child that needs a mentor has a mentor: that's our mandate. The purpose of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords is to match up kids who need a mentor in their life with community members that can provide that mentorship."
The role of a volunteer is to "be a caring, consistent adult in their life. The consistency is the big thing. Some of the kids will not have had that consistent caring."
"It's about coming in and being a friend to a little brother or little sister, it's about the relationship, and just hanging out and having a good time."
Those interested in volunteering for BBBS can visit the office at #703-1101-101 St, reach Montgomery-Bull at (306) 445-7845, or visit www.bbbsbattlefords.ca.
