BBBSO Blog Posts for Julie Crabtree

Welcome to Spring!!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

As spring approaches our Bigs and Littles have so many ideas for things to do, celebrate Easter, read a book on International Children’s Book Day, plan something for Earth Day. Spring brings so many ideas for Bigs and Littles. We have an amazing group of students who are thinking of terrific ideas to engage their Littles and become more involved in their communities. They may even th [...]

Sun on the Slopes!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Organized by Alison, a 3rd year Carleton University Placement student, our Bigs and Littles enjoyed a fun outdoor event. Read about how she felt it went.

Our tubing event on Saturday, February 5th at Le Domaine de L’Ange Gardien was a great success! Our agency would like to extend a big thank you to all of our Bigs and Littles who came out and participated in our afternoon of fun.

With beautiful weather and such a fun activ [...]

Looking for Big Brothers!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It is with excitement and enthusiasm that Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) announces that we are accepting applications for men interested in becoming Big Brothers!

Last year at about this time, we had to stop taking applications for the Bigs in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Buddy Up and Couples Match programs. With almost 200 Volunteers in process and a wait time of 6-12 months to be matched with a Little and our Mentoring Coordinators working at [...]

Dedication and Loyalty, Every Day!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The month of August celebrates 3 staff anniversaries! Sue started working with BBBSO in 2002, Sameera joined our team in 2006, and Stephanie in 2008. Each has had a great impact on the work that we do and in helping us serve 1000 children annually.

Most of our Bigs and Littles know Sue. Not because she has been with the agency for 8 years, but because Sue plans all of the group activities that our matches attend. From fishing, to skating, scrapbooking to cooking [...]

BIG Congratulations to Colleen Dunn

juliec@bbbso.ca — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Earlier this year, we asked you to share your wonderful stories of the impact that Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa has had on your life. Thank you to all who participated. We received a number of submissions from matches, Bigs and Littles as well as this winning entry from Colleen, the mother of Little Brother Devin. Here is her perspective:

My name is Colleen Dunn, and my husband passed away at the age of 42 from ALS. My children were young- my daughter was 8 and my so [...]

A Placement Student Tells All

juliec@bbbso.ca — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) has been offering placements to students from various programs as Algonquin College, La Cité Collégiale, University of Ottawa, and Carleton University for many years. We have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful students.

Chelsey Larocque is a 2nd year student from the Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College. Since September 2008, Chelsey has spent three days a week with us as a placement student. Read [...]

Just Do It! Volunteering Is Easy!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Dianne Laporte has been actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) for 30 years. From a Board Member, to being a Big Sister with two Littles and now a blogger, her commitment to BBBSO is evident as you read her story.

"You're wondering........just do what? Do become a Big Sister or Big Brother, sooner rather than later!

I'd heard about Big Sisters and for many years thought that one day when the time was right, I'd look into it, b [...]

Search And Rescue Global 1 Visit Our Big Bunch

juliec@bbbso.ca — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Chris Rose tells us about last Tuesday's Big Bunch session being completely different from the previous two sessions.

Like last meeting we had some guests in, but this time it wasn't to play sports. The Littles ran around and played games while our guests were Sandy, Traci and his dog Havoc from Search and Rescue Global 1 (SG1), the volunteer search and rescue team for the Ottawa/Gatineau area, got set up. The team from SG1 gave us a presentation called "Hug-a-Tree and Survive& [...]

Skills, Drills and Soccer Make Up Week 2 For Big Bunch

juliec@bbbso.ca — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Chris Rose tells us about the second meeting of the Big Bunch group. Sounds like a great way to spend a Tuesday night!

"On Tuesday February 3rd the Big Bunch group met up for the second time for an evening of soccer and games. Because it was the second evening, everyone already knew each other and Bigs had a better idea of what to expect so activities ran smoother and quicker this week. The Littles came in full of energy and ready to run around. [...]

De grands projets pour 2009!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Les réussites, les défis, les nouveaux visages et les possibilités exceptionnelles que 2008 nous a apportés en ont fait une année captivante. En outre, elle nous a offert de nombreuses occasions de développer nos programmes pour qu'ils se poursuivent en 2009, et je suis ravie de les partager avec vous.

Premièrement, laissez-moi vous présenter les nouveaux membres de l'équipe des programmes. Stephanie Cobb, coo [...]

Big Things To Come In 2009!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The past year has been an interesting year of successes, challenges, new faces and exciting opportunities for all programs! 2008 brought along with it many prospects for expanding programming into 2009 and I'm excited to share these with you.

First let me share with you new faces to the programs team. Stephanie Cobb, Mentoring Coordinator in the Match Program, joined us in September 2008 and is an occasional blogger. A recent graduate from Carleton University [...]

Big Bunch Launch A Huge Success!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Recently, in large part due to a grant from Bank of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) launched Big Bunch, a group mentoring program for children who are waiting to be matched with their very own Big Brother. This format allows children who have been waiting for some time to be matched with a volunteer mentor in small groups for a six month period. Meet Chris Rose, a Big in this program and intern student with BBBSO who was instrumental in helping Sue Hall, Group P [...]

The Enrollment Process from a Volunteer�s Perspective

juliec@bbbso.ca — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Kerry Lynn Grozinger recently applied to be a Big Sister in our match program. While going through the enrollment process, she was asked to write an article for her church. We are very excited to share Kerry Lynn's perspective with you regarding her decision to become a Big Sister.

"What I am about to undertake in becoming a Big Sister is really causing me to become quite eager in anticipation - eager to meet my new Little Sister. It feels almost like being pregnant and [...]

Five Littles, BIG achievement!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Thirty high school students from coast to coast are the winners of the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship valued at up to $34,000 each. We are thrilled to have five of our own Littles receive this tremendous scholarship.

For those of you who are not familiar with the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship, let us tell you a little about the scholarship and the process for application. Every year, from over 130 applications, 30 Little Brothers and Little Sisters across Canada are awarded this scholarsh [...]

Cinq Petits accomplissent de GRANDS exploits!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Trente élèves d'écoles secondaires de partout au pays ont remporté la bourse Vision Jeunesse de CIBC, d'une valeur de 34 000 $. Nous sommes très heureux de compter cinq de nos Petits parmi les lauréats de cette bourse exceptionnelle.

Pour ceux et celles qui ne les connaissent pas, permettez-nous de vous présenter les bourses Vision Jeunesse de CIBC ainsi que la marche à suivre pour poser sa candidature. Chaque année, [...]

From A Mother�s Perspective� a BIG impact

juliec@bbbso.ca — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:00:00 +0100

While there is much research to support mentoring programs, what we love most is hearing about the power of mentoring from our families. We recently asked some of our Bigs, Littles and parents to share their stories. Juliet, mother of four, had much to say about the BIG impact Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) has had on her children.

Danika, Kristina, Matthew and Joseph's story told by their mother, Juliet:

An old African proverb states that "it takes a commu [...]

Des Grands d�exception!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Chaque année il y a des Grands dans notre programme On se voit à l'école qui vont au-delà des exigences de leur programme de stage. Des Grands qui excèdent les attentes qu'ont avaient placées en eux. Cette année, nous avons le plaisir de vous présenter trois Grandes d'exception !

Notre programme On se voit à l'école jumèle des étudiants de niveau secondaire ou post secondaire complétant un prog [...]

Bigs in the Meet You In School program make a BIG difference!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Every year, there are Bigs in the Meet You In School program who go above and beyond their placement requirements and our expectations in building relationships with Littles. This year, we are excited to announce three Outstanding Bigs!

Our Meet You In School program matches placement students completing a co-op or practicum for credit at their Secondary or Post-Secondary school with 2-8 Littles and they spend 1 hour per week with each Little engaging them in social sk [...]

Kids �n Kops day 4, excitement and exhaustion!

juliec@bbbso.ca — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Today was a fantastic day for everyone! Some conquered their fear of heights, while others got revenge against their favourite councilors in the pool. Read about Breanna’s day!

We started our morning at the Connaught Ranges where military specialists trained our Littles to rappel a 3 story high wall. The camp councilors were very impressed with how easily our brave and enthusiastic Littles tackled this challenge! Councilors [...]

Mercredi avec les campeurs du Flics et Flos !

juliec@bbbso.ca — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Cette troisième journée de camp fut un GRAND succès ! Tracy vous raconte les aventures marines de nos campeurs.

Aujourd’hui on a vraiment créé des policiers et policières en herbe… C’était une merveilleuse journée sur l’eau avec les policiers d’Ottawa.

C’est important pour nos Petits de participer dans les camps de jours, mais [...]