While we ask our volunteering in the traditional match program to establish their friendship for one year, we often have matches that last much longer. Ronald and Curtis are one of our graduated matches. During the graduation ceremony help last April, Ron also received a 10 year tenure award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Read on to learn more about Ron and Curtis' match.

"I have volunteered for many different organizations over the years and Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) is now another notch in my belt - if I can use that phrase.  However, I must say that my experience with Curtis has been very rewarding - I am now completing 10 years with Curtis.  One has to live the experience to understand how a Big Brother can influence a person's life. Furthermore, when one initially gets involved with a little brother one would never know what might happen down the road.  Curtis has developed into a fine young man. I know that I have had some influence on his path to a career.  We have just completed visits to both the Ottawa Police Station and the RCMP to review a potential career in Policing. Curtis is now registered at Algonquin College to take a course in Corporate Security and Risk Management.  He and I discussed this choice at length before he made his final decision. At this point I am very pleased with how Curtis has entered into adult life.  I will follow his career after life with the BBBSO ends this year as we are graduating."

Our traditional match program received the most inquiries from volunteers and families yearly. We are always thrilled to receive new applications from men and women wanting to volunteer as a Big Brother or Big Sister because it means that they recognize the value of youth mentoring and the impact it can have on the life of a child.  We are always looking for like minded people to get involved and support our cause.

In recent weeks, we have worked to evaluate the needs of the community and our programs. It is with sadness that we can no longer accept any new applications from Bigs or Littles for our Big Brother/Big Sister/Couples/Buddy Up traditional match program.

Currently our Mentoring Coordinators are at maximum capacity and will not able to take on any new matches for some time. With 180 Little Brothers and Little Sisters and over 100 volunteers already in process, we do not want to increase wait time any longer.

Over the last year, we have worked to launch a new fundraising initiative, Buddy Up, in hopes of rallying community support for our programs. At this time, the campaign has raised $11,820 of its $45,000 goal.

If you believe in the power of mentoring, please consider making a donation to BBBSO or helping us by requesting a pledge form to help spread the word.

Together we can continue to make a BIG difference in the lives of children/youth in Ottawa!