We are thrilled to announce that we will slowly begin accepting applications for our Match program. After two years of matching the Littles on our waiting list with Bigs, we are now down to just 30 who are still waiting to be matched, which is the lowest number we have achieved in more than 10 years. This is the time you have been waiting for; it’s time to start something.

In November 2009, Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) closed its enrollment due to an overwhelming 150 children waiting (some more than two years) for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Since then, we have worked diligently to match all Littles and Bigs who had applied to the program. In November 2010, we readily began accepting Big Brothers applications with the goal of matching the bulk of Little Brothers on the waitlist.

As always, our goal is to create positive, long-lasting friendships between Littles and Bigs. We want to avoid long wait times and disappointments. Therefore, we will be re-opening the Big Brother and Big Sister Match program in three stages.

Stage 1:

This November, we will be begin accepting child/youth applications from current active families who have a sibling(s) of a matched Littles who is interested in having a Big.

****Please note that we are currently at Stage 1, therefore, we are ONLY accepting applications from current active families who have a sibling (or siblings) of a Little who is already involved with BBBSO.****

Stage 2:

We will begin to accept Big Sister and Couple inquiries based on the geographical locations of the Littles on the waitlist or new applicants. Big Brother applications will continue to be accepted.

*We are currently accepting inquiries from potential Big Sisters.

Stage 3:

We will begin to accept children/youth communitywide applications while continuing to accept Big Brother, Big Sister and Couple matches based on geographical areas.

We will process applications quickly and efficiently, keeping everyone’s best interests at the forefront. In alignment with our vision that all children in Ottawa will have a mentor when they need one, the long term plan for enrollment is to continue to accept new applications from Littles communitywide but continue to accept volunteer applications based on geographical needs.

We thank the community in their understanding and patience over the last two years!