Brantford Cowan Insurance Donation to the ISM Program

Brantford, ON-The local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency is looking forward to providing more In School Mentors this school year in Brantford area elementary schools.  The Board of Directors of the Frank Cowan Foundation approved a $5000.00 grant to the agency in order to continue the expansion of the In-School Mentoring program for the 2009/10 school year.  On hand to present the cheque to Executive Director Patti O’Reilly was Bob Herron of the Brantford Cowan Insurance office and Brian Geffros of the Paris Cowan Insurance office.  Bob had this to say about the donation made by Cowan Insurance, “When you see people that are passionate about an organization, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are thrilled to be able to contribute to their programs and see that the agency is continuing to grow within the community.”  The funds will be used to continue to expand the In School Mentoring program in Brantford schools and to recruit new volunteers to the agency for this very worthwhile program. 

The In-School Mentoring program matches adult volunteers with a child from Grades 1 to 4 in a one-to-one setting in the school.  Volunteers get to spend one hour per week mentoring a child using activities such as board/card games, physical activity and crafts.  The ability to have fun while mentoring is the number one goal of the program, which has a positive influence on not only the child, but the mentor as well, who gets to see the world of possibility open up in a child’s eye.  It’s a small commitment that makes a big difference: One child, One hour a week, One BIG reason to go back to school. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is the leading child and youth serving organization providing mentoring programs across the country. Providing support to more than 1000 Canadian communities, over 140 local agencies offer the service that the organization was founded on, one-to-one matching. Men and women (age 18 or older) give of their time to become a mentor to a youngster who can greatly benefit from having an adult role model to look up to.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters offer a number of different community programs and fundraising events that you can take part in.  Whether you have one hour a week or want to take part in one of the annual fundraisers – it all makes a difference! Call today at (519) 426-3121/800 268 8784 or go online at www.bbbshn.ca and see how you can help us “Share the Dream”.   

For more information, please contact:

Patti O'Reilly
Executive Director
1-800-268-8784 or (519) 426-3121
bbbshn.ca