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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-09-22, Page 13Wednesday, September 22, 2004 Exeter Times—Advocate 13 Help us make a BIG difference in a young person's life Friendships between children and positive adult role models are truly magical. For the mentors, they're an incredibly rewarding opportunity to make a profound difference in the life of a child. For the child, it's a fun -filled way to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. On September 30th, experience the magic just by clicking on www.sharealittlemagic.ca SHORT-TERM VOLUNTEERS Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron can always use your assistance for short- term involvement. As well as the BIGBunch program, our Events activities can always use volunteers who want to 'make the difference' and have fun! Volunteer to help at one recruitment and fundraising activity per year, sit on a committee as a community volunteer, or talk to us about how you would like to be involved. You decide. BIG/LITTLE TRADITIONAL MENTORING Within this traditional program, children in need who are 6-16 years of age are matched with screened and trained adults, 18 to 80 years of age. Each mentoring match is carefully monitored and on-going support and training is provided to vol- unteer, parent, and child, ensuring the success of each match relationship. Although the focus of the match is friendship, the child receives immeasurable opportunities to enrich their world through the caring, role modeling and guidance that is a part of that friendship. A few hours per week, for a minimum of one year. BIG/LITTLE CROSS GENDER MENTORING Cross Gender Mentoring has been in effect for many years throughout Canadian agencies. In an effort to increase service to our Waiting children, we now offer cross gender matching of female volunteers to male children. Historically there are more female volunteers available within the agency, and a large number of male children on our Waiting List. This match service is guided by the same requirements and supervision allocated to our Big/Little Mentoring matches, with additional attention to cross gender issues. A few hours per week, for a minimum of one year. THE IN -SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM The In -School Mentoring Program has been a great success as documented by the parents, children and school personnel. The effectiveness of this program is clearly documented - the children involved show increased positive peer relationships, improve in school work, show increased attendance at school, continue with sec- ondary education, improve in family relationships and demonstrate increased self- esteem. 1 hour per week within school setting for the duration of the school year. AREAS SERVED Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron serves South Huron and Middlesex including Lucan, Parkhill, Grand Bend, Bayfield, Exeter, Centralia, Crediton, Huron Park, Dashwood and Zurich. STUDENT VOLUNTEERING Students 16 to 18 years of age are eligible to apply for peer mentoring positions, within a supervised group setting. A great way to build a resume, accumulate com- munity hours and have some fun! The children of our program greatly enjoy their interactions with student volunteers, who provide role modeling and friendship to these youngsters. BIG BUNCH/WAITING LIST PROGRAM The BigBunch Program provides service to our Waiting list children, who contin- ue to increase in number. This group program runs every three weeks, supervised by trained volunteers who provide a positive, supportive, and often educational group for the children on our Waiting List. Children are encouraged to develop friendships, increase their social skills within a supervised activity, and have the opportunity for educational interaction and role modeling with the adult volunteers. The group has a supervision ratio of at least one volunteer to every four children. All volunteers are screened, trained and supported as role models and friends. This program also offers volunteer opportunities to youth 16 to 18 years of age. The BigBunch Program has been a great success with many varied activities and loads of fun! This program runs twice a year with 6 group sessions 2-3 hours in length - over 4 months. Volunteers can sign up for one or two sessions. KIDS 'N' KOPS PROGRAM In July of 2004, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron held our second Kids 'N' Kops program - a great community partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police - Huron! Operating as a one week summer program, Kids 'N' Kops provides a mini -police academy for children by teaching them many aspects of police work. The educational component is combined with a recreational element that integrates fun through sports and games in the week long experience. Kids 'N' Kops works to promote trust between Law Enforcement and children, and to foster a realistic con- cept of Police Officers. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Thank you to all our wonderful and generous volunteers and sponsors. We are extremely grateful for your time, commitment and financial support. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron relies solely on the community for financial support. Your financial donation entitles you to a charitable receipt and the satisfaction of helping our organization to grow. To increase our awareness, MasterCard has committed to donating $50,000 if we can generate 10,000 hits on the new recruiting website www.sharealittlemagic.ca! What a great hook to encourage all of our families, friends, neighbours, and colleagues to visit the site and consider becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister. It is one of the most important and fun things they could ever imagine doing. Making a positive difference in the life of a child has never been this easy. You can do it virtually from wherever you are right now. On September 30th, just click on www.sharealit- tlemagic.ca, and let your mouse move you to mentorship. The Businesses listed below are very proud to sponsor Big Brothers Big Sisters COLDWCU. BANKeR All Points -Festival City Realty Pat O'Rourke res. 237-3762 M.J. Chanyi res. 235-1077 Dwayne Tinney res. 235-3889 Debra Pfaff res. 235-4189 For Real Estate Anywhere in Huron & Perth Counties "WE HAVE ALL POINTS COV- ERED" An Mems Broker o Caldwell Operated Affiliates of Canada Exeter (519) 235-1449 407 Main Street, P.O. Box 2401, Exeter, ON NOM 1 S7 www.coldwellbankerfo com Katch a Ray TANNING SALON GIFT SHOP Country Home Candles • Bearington Teddies (519) 235-2243 Townbvqk Country we BOWLING LANES .• Parties • Leagues • Open Bowling CALL FOR HOURS OR RESERVATIONS Barry & Larry Robinson 38120 Zurich-Hensall Rd., Zurich, Ont. TEL: (519) 236-4923 Fax: (519) 236-4258 SOUTH HURON Window & Door Centre Sales * Service * Installation 235-3502 Toll Free 1-800-790-4668 Free Estimates • Vinyl Replacement Windows • New Construction Windows • Steel Door Entrance Systems • Patio Doors • Terrace Doors • Aluminum Storm Doors • Garage Doors • Insulated Glass Replacement y Nrakn l Sr.�k • Sun Rooms • Decks • Roof Windows • Shutters • Siding / Soffit / Fascia Visit Our Showroom at 432 Main St. S., Exeter 41. CHRYSLER Dodge Jeep Exeter Chrysler Jeep Sales, Service Leasing & Daily Rentals 136 Main St. N., Exeter, Ontario 235-1525 Fax 235-2143 Toll Free 1-866-435-5553 PILAWFARM MUTUAL FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. JOHN J. HANSON - john@ftfs.ca DON THOMPSON - don@ftfs.ca 497 Main St. S. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 Office: (519) 235-4000 Fax: (519) 235-4333 Toll Free: 1-877-206 FARM (3276) FERGUSON APIARIE S (519) 236-4979 Hwy. #84 between Hensall & Zurich Open Thurs. to Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bill & Rosemary Ferguson wow 'wavy - BOB CASE PLUMBING, ELECTRIC, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING We Rent Gas & Electric Water Heaters TEL: (519) 238-8193 FAX: (519) 238-2823 RR1 GRAND BEND, ON. NOM 1TO "Where Friendships Begin" AUTHORIZED SALES - SERVICE - LEASING Parts - General Repairs - Used Vehicles "SERVING SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO FOR 39 YEARS" 640 Main St. S., Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 (519) 235-03631-800-265-3476 Fax: (519) 235-1685 SERVICE DIRECT LINE: 235-3483