Ottawa, Ontario – Today Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa was granted Accreditation having successfully met the review standards outlined by the national governing body, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC). As a measure to continually ensure maximum child safety and the pursuit of organizational excellence Big Brothers Big Sisters introduced a review process for its member agencies more than twenty-five years ago and has most recently evolved this process into the National Accreditation Program. This program is conducted by professionally trained individuals who must complete Accreditation training given by BBBSC.
The Accreditation certificate is granted upon approval of agency practices in the areas of child safety, service delivery, and organizational excellence. Organizational excellence includes a consultative process with agency volunteers, parents and board members, assurance of sound fiscal management practices, and agency strategic planning.
Each agency within the BBBSC organization undergoes the Accreditation process every five years. Agencies also participate in a mid-term evaluation as an interim measure ensuring adherence to national standards.
“After almost a year of preparation in advance of their comprehensive analysis covering all activities including in the areas of child safety, service delivery and organizational management, Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa is extremely pleased to have received Accreditation from Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada.
A very well deserved congratulations to our Accreditation Committee and to all staff and management for their contributions to this painstaking but critical process. After a thorough review of our standards, policies and practices, we are given something much more than a “clean bill of health” or a “high passing grade”: it really becomes a re-affirmation of our position as the premier mentoring agency in Ottawa - one who justifiably takes great pride in the services we provide and the smiles we bring to those children, families and volunteers who are a part of our movement”, states Ron Koomas, President of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa.
”This Accreditation program is critical as we move forward in our efforts to reach and support more children. The program provides the local agency with the information and assurance they need to know that they are doing a good job and that they are doing the right things,” states Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “The national strategic plan has outlined an ambitious goal of serving 100,000 children by 2013; our Accreditation program has a direct and positive impact towards achieving the strategic goal.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa has been serving the Ottawa community for more than 38 years. It is committed to serving children and youth by providing them with quality mentoring relationships with volunteers. 1100 children are currently being served.
For more information please contact:
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa
Cindy Smith
Senior Director, Resource Development
613-247-4776 ext. 316
bbbso.ca
News Release
Release Date: August 3rd, 2007
Local Big Brothers Big Sisters Agency Receives National Award for
Growth, Sustainability and Ongoing Development
OTTAWA – Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa is pleased to announce today that it has been awarded the National Presidents Commendation by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Announced at the organization’s recent national convention, the National Presidents Commendation award recognizes a local staff member who has made an exceptional contribution to the development, growth or sustainability of the Big Brother Big Sister program. The recipient will be of outstanding ability.
“We are delighted that our agency was selected from amongst nominees from right across Canada for the impact that our contribution has had on the children and families right here in Ottawa” stated Lois Allen, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. “The support from our community has enabled our agency to become a leader within our movement working toward our vision of providing a mentor for every child that needs one.”
“Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa is one of four agencies involved in a year long process piloting an innovative web-based Case Management System” said Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “This new system will revolutionize the information data collection processes for every agency in Canada. It was important that our leaders in the movement step up and pilot this system. Their contribution to our future has been immeasurable.”
The goal of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada National Awards Program is to celebrate the many achievements of member agencies, their staff, volunteers and their partners. Each year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada recognizes local partners who assist local Big Brother Big Sister agencies in fulfilling the mission and vision of the organization.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa is currently serving 1,048 of children through a variety of mentoring programs that include Big Brothers, Big Sisters, In-School Mentoring, Go Girls and Couples for Kids. While support for the organization continues to grow there are over 76 children waiting for a volunteer mentor, some waiting over two years.
be a big
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OTTAWA
For Immediate Release July, 2006
OTTAWA – Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) was recognized for its outstanding local and national contributions with three national awards at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada National Convention held recently in Toronto.
“These awards recognize the tireless work and dedication of our team, it’s a privilege to work with such a fine group of men and women” said Dawn Pickering, President of the Board of Directors and former Big Sister. “As an organization, we are committed to finding new and exciting ways to serve more Littles and Mentees.” added Ms. Pickering.
BBBSO was honoured with a Growth Award for having exceeded its growth targets for children served this year. BBBSO offers services to more than 1200 children annually in the Ottawa region.
Lois Allen, Executive Director was honoured with the President's Commendation in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contributions to both BBBSO and the BBBS movement nationally. “Lois’ dedication is second to none and I’m pleased that her leadership is recognized in such a way. Her hard work in orchestrating a smooth transition with the merger of the former Big Brothers and Big Sisters agencies four years ago was crucial in laying the ground work to our current successes” added Dawn Pickering. Lois Allen was also recognized for her contribution in hosting the Ontario Regional Workshop.
Finally, the Innovation Award was received by BBBSO for its “outside the box” programming supporting the multicultural community, those volunteers and children with disabilities, its police youth mentoring programs as well as the Big Apprenticeship fundraising event held last spring.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa is the premiere youth mentoring organization in Ottawa. It is committed to serving “at-risk” children and youth across the city by providing them with quality one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors. BBBSO is a not-for-profit organization that is funded through the generous support of United Way of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa and through other individual and corporate funders. BBBSO runs a variety of mentoring programs and currently serves more than 1200 children in the Ottawa-area annually. Another 70 Little Brothers are eagerly waiting to be matched with their special friend.
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Contact(s):
Dawn Pickering, President
(613) 233-4086
Lois Allen,
Executive Director
(613) 247-4776 x.301 bbbso.ca
For Immediate Release September 12, 2005
Donovan Bailey Helps Children Go For Gold
Burlington, ON – “Behind every successful adult there is a positive role model that helped them foster their dreams. Whether it’s a parent, a coach, or a special friend, all children need mentors to reach their full potential”, said five-time World and Olympic track champion and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC) spokesperson, Donovan Bailey, as part of the EDULINX Mentoring Awareness Tour.
According to Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of BBBSC, “Friendships between children and positive adult role models have a profoundly positive impact on everyone involved. For the mentors, it’s an incredibly rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the life of a child. For the child, it’s a fun-filled way to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. The relationships are truly magical!”
In an effort to build awareness about BBBSC mentoring programs as well as recruit new mentors, this month Bailey will be visiting cities across the country as part of the 2005 EDULINX Mentoring Awareness Tour. The tour brings together members of the local business and education communities to discuss the power of mentoring, and to seek their support for BBBSC’s mission.
“Our goal is to recruit enough mentors to ensure that every child in Canada who needs a mentor has one, and Donovan Bailey will be instrumental in helping us achieve that goal,” said MacDonald. “Children look at adult mentors as more than guides, or friends, they look at them as heroes - and Donovan Bailey is definitely a Canadian hero.”
For the past five years EDULINX Canada Corporation has been the title sponsor of the Mentoring Awareness Tour and has been actively supporting the In-School Mentoring program, which matches an employee and a local student for an hour every week during the school year.
“EDULINX is proud to sponsor this event and to have many of our employees volunteering in our local community as mentors. It is our experience that the program has a very positive impact on our employees and the children they are matched with, and we encourage other companies to support their employees in becoming InSchool Mentors”, said George Hopkinson, President of EDULINX.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the leading youth mentoring organization in Canada. It is committed to serving at-risk children and youth across the country by providing them with quality one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors. They currently have 160 agencies in over 300 communities nation-wide and are serving approximately 20,000 children. Another 10,000 children are eagerly waiting to be matched with their special friend.
EDULINX is the leading student loan service provider in Canada and has been part of BBBSC “Leader’s Circle” since 2001. EDULINX is based in Mississauga, Ontario, and has approximately 600 employees.
For more information, contact:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Bruce MacDonald
President and CEO
905-639-0461 ext. 18
aol.com | EDULINX Canada Corporation
John Nevins
Manager Corporate Communications & Services
905-306-2642
edulinx.ca |
For Release September 7, 2005
Canadian Corporations & Municipalities Share A Little Magic With Big Brothers Big Sisters!
Burlington, ON - September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month and many communities as well as some of Canada’s largest corporations are helping to spread the word!
New in 2005 is the rally to have every community with a Big Brothers Big Sisters agency proclaim September as Big Brothers Big Sisters month. To mark the occasion supporting municipalities will be raising the new Big Brothers Big Sisters flag to fly at city hall in September. To date there are fifty communities across the country who have proclaimed September as Big Brothers Big Sisters month!
MasterCard Canada, EDULINX, and Nokia are launching nationwide campaigns to help raise awareness for mentoring and the impact positive role models bring to the healthy development of children and communities throughout Canada.
“Like many charitable organizations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada works with the corporate community to strengthen our cause and improve our ability to increase service delivery. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is excited about the 2005 BBBS Month campaign and the unique projects that will help us reach thousands of Canadians”, said Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “MasterCard Canada, Nokia Canada, and EDULINX Canada Corporation are long standing partners of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Together, these four companies are pioneering a fantastic campaign that will ultimately help our organization to serve more children. We are both proud and honoured to have the renewed support of four of Canada’s largest corporations.”
MasterCard Canada
MasterCard will be leading the charge with a Friend to Friend e-mail campaign entitled “Magic Is Just A Click Away” on September 23rd, 2005. The e-mail message has a direct call to action encouraging friends to visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada website www.sharealittlemagic.ca.
Mark September 23rd in your calendar - If 25,000visitors hit the website on this day MasterCard Canada will donate $75,000to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
Listen to radio morning shows in Toronto, Edmonton and Quebec city on September 23rd as the media networks rally behind the MasterCard challenge!
Nokia Canada
Announcing the NEW Nokia Innovation Fund.
Nokia has sponsored a grant opportunity for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada agencies beginning this September.
Money will be made available for projects which focus on two areas of success: agency’s ability to Serve More Children or to build Sustainable Growth.
"We are encouraging the development of new mentoring programs that connect the needs of different groups of children with the availability and interests of new volunteers." said Grace Belmonte, the Director of Marketing for Nokia Canada. "We are challenging the member agencies to think of innovative, break-through programs that will ultimately help Big Brothers Big Sisters serve more children."
“The Nokia Innovation Fund will provide member agencies with the opportunity to pilot innovative projects that will help them to better serve their community and more children. This is a wonderful and exciting opportunity that we are very thankful for,” said Melanie Snyder, Director of Marketing, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
EDULINX Mentoring Awareness Tour
EDULINX Canada Corporation has been the title sponsor of the Mentoring Awareness Tour since 2001. In 2005, five time World and Olympic track champion, Donovan Bailey will be the Tour’s spokesperson.
“Donovan Bailey is instrumental in helping us recruit enough mentors to ensure that every child in Canada who needs a mentor has a mentor”, said Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. “Children look at adult mentors as more than guides, or friends, they look at them as heroes. And Donovan Bailey is definitely a Canadian hero”.
The tour brings together members of the local business and education communities to discuss the power of mentoring, and to seek their support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s mission.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the nation’s largest youth mentoring organization providing quality adult mentoring services for 20,000 children in more than 300 communities. For more than ninety years Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations in your community have been there to help provide a positive influence in the life of a child when one is needed. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada we believe that “Every Child In Canada Who Needs A Mentor Has A Mentor”.
For more information contact:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Melanie Snyder, Director of Marketing
905-639-0461 x 15
aol.com
http://www.bbbsc.ca