VISION
All young people realize their full potential
MISSION
Enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people
STRUCTURE
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is a Federation comprised of 95 member agencies servicing more than 1,100 communities across the country.
Land Acknowledgment
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg operates on Treaty No. 1 Territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples; as well as the homeland of the Metis Nation. We further acknowledge the water of which we drink comes from the Anishinaabe First Nation of Shoal Lake.
We respect the Treaties formed on these territories, and acknowledge that We Are All Treaty People. We recognize the long-term effects of colonization and the harmful legacy of the residential schools endured by Indigenous peoples. We commit to making space for Indigenous voices, to celebrate Indigenous culture, and to honour Indigenous heritage. We are Bigger together and we will work in partnership with Indigenous communities toward justice, equity, and reconciliation.
Positively changing our Community
SERVING WINNIPEG
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg provides programs and services to 650-700 youth per year
REPUTABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE
Providing life changing mentoring experiences since 1912, Big Brothers Big Sisters was named One of Financial Post’s Top 25 Charities in 2016.
IMPROVING SOCIETY
Every $1 invested in our programming returns between $18-$23 to society through taxes, higher incomes, volunteerism, and charitable donations.
ISSUE
Many children and youth in Canada struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives.
IMPACT
Prolonged adversity and toxic levels of stress are barriers to the health and well-being of individuals, communities and society.
SOLUTION
With the support of a mentor, adversities can be overcome, barriers challenged; youth can find their own unique ways to be who they want to be, and contribute to a better world
Our Solution
Many children and youth in Canada struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives like detrimental living conditions, family violence, risk factors for mental health, school issues and identity challenges.
These circumstances have nothing to do with the value of who they are or who they can become, but because of these situations, children and youth risk not having the opportunity to live up to their full potential.
Even worse is the possibility of continuing cycles of poverty and crime or developing mental health issues.
This comes at a cost to the young person, and to society.
With the guidance and support of a mentor, these risks can be reduced or even avoided, and youth are reminded they can be anything they dream of being.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is a Federation comprised of 108 member agencies servicing more than 1,100 communities across the country. Together we mobilize over 21,300 volunteers who in turn mentor 41,700+ children and young people. That works out to nearly:
2.2 million volunteer hours each year
Each Big Brother Big Sister agency provides direct service to children by matching volunteers and youths in quality mentoring relationships. Our agency staff members are experts at screening volunteers and matching them with a mentee having similar interests.
The national organization provides services and programs to our member agencies to assist them with their work with parents, mentees, and volunteers. Ranging from staff training workshops to our leading Child Safety Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada works diligently to ensure we have superior quality programming in all parts of the country.
Our History in Winnipeg, Manitoba
In September 1997 the Big Sister Association of Winnipeg and Big Brothers Association of Winnipeg, originally incorporated in 1970 and 1969 respectively, decided to amalgamate to form the Big Sisters and Big Brothers Association of Winnipeg. In December of 2001, the agency name was changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg Inc.
We are a member agency of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, and must follow certain standards of program operation. These standards reflect the commitment of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and its member agencies to provide quality volunteer and professional services to children and youth.
