Big Brothers and Big Sisters is a charitable organization dedicated to helping children growing up in primarily lone parent families to achieve their full potential through mentoring programs with caring responsible adult volunteers.

The purpose of the regular program is to match boys and girls 6 to 16 years of age from primarily lone parent families with caring, reliable adult volunteers who provide friendship and guidance to the child through this one-to-one relationship.

The volunteer and the child share their interests and activities together for a few hours each week. The role of the volunteer Big Brother or Big Sister is to serve as a friend and role model to help the child develop greater self esteem enabling him or her to grow up to be a responsible citizen.

In addition, we can match adults in a stable, committed relationship with one child in a "couples match".

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cornwall and District also offers the Big Bunch Friendship Program where children on the waiting list can take part in recreational, social, educational outings twice a month with approved Bigs who cannot make the commitment required for the regular program.

The local agency has also initiated the In-School Mentoring program which matches an adult volunteer (Mentor) with a child (Mentee) in a school environment for one hour each week.

The Big Brothers of Cornwall and District began operation at the beginning of 1973. In February 1984, the service was also provided to girls and the name of the organization was changed to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cornwall and District. The local agency is continually seeking more Big Brother and Big Sister volunteers who are willing to share a few hours each week as a friend to a child and Mentors for one hour a week during the school year for the In-School Mentoring program.

The Big Brother/Big Sister program is provided at no charge to the children and their families. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cornwall and District, in order to carry out the intake, orientation, screening, matching, and followup casework, must raise funds from a number of sources, including Bowl for Kids Sake, bingos, sale of Nevadas, donations, and a golf tournament.  The agency is under the United Way umbrella.

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cornwall and District provides an essential support service to children in need from lone parent families in Cornwall and S. D. & G.

For more information, contact the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cornwall and District,
101 Third St. West, Cornwall, Ont. K6J 2N9. Tel. (613) 933-8035, Fax. (613) 933-8747

Every child that needs a mentor has a mentor