Date: December 16, 2010            

Big Brothers Big Sisters of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Grande Prairie----Receives Accreditation

Grande Prairie, Alberta Today Big Brothers (Big Sisters) of Grande Prairie 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.  The national Accreditation program is conducted by professionally trained reviewers who must complete Accreditation training given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. 

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 is Accredited every five years.  Agencies also participate in a mid-term evaluation as an interim measure ensuring adherence to national standards.

”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.”

BBBS of Grande Prairie has served the community for more than 16 years.  It is committed to serving children and youth by providing them with quality mentoring relationships with volunteers. They are currently serving 50 children. 

We congratulate BBBS of Grande Prairie in achieving their accreditation.

For more information please contact:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie                                             

Name  Gina Wallace                                                             

Position Executive Director                           

Phone  780-532-0620 
e-mail  bbbsgp@telus.net