Big Brothers and Big Sisters is working to re-establish itself in the city two years after a major restructuring of the agency that matches youth with adult mentors.
Big Brother, Big Sisters of Brantford was shut down in May 2008 after the agency's entire board of directors resigned, a move that forced the group to suspend all "big and little" matches and lay off four staff members. The troubles were attributed to difficulty raising funds and attracting volunteers.
In September 2008, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haldimand- Norfolk stepped in to help revive the program in Brantford.
Today, six staff members divide their time between a Brantford office on Brant Avenue and the Haldimand-Norfolk office in Simcoe.
They share administration costs, but have separate annual budgets of about $175,000 each.
Work is being done to organize fundraisers and attract more volunteers in Brantford and Brant County, said executive director Patti O'Reilly.
"I think the community is still cautious (about the agency)," she said. "We are getting the word out that we're here for the long term and the kids in Brantford are going to be well served."
The agency currently has 27 "traditional" matches -one-on-one relationships between children and adult mentors in Brantford and Brant County. It also operates an in-school mentoring program at seven schools in Brantford and one in Paris, and a group mentoring program called Go Girls for girls in Grades 7 and 8 at two schools in Brantford. A similar program for boys will be offered during the next school year.
But O'Reilly said that the agency has "maxed out its financial resources" and can't take on any more local children looking for a match. A part-time caseworker is currently monitoring all the big and little partnerships and more funding is needed to increase caseworker hours.
Fundraising supplies the bulk of the agency's budget. It also receives funding from the Brant United Way.
Fundraising has been a challenge in Brantford, said O'Reilly. A Bowl for Kids event in March raised $25,000, more than was raised at the 2009 event, but only half of the $52,000 raised by bowlers this year in Haldimand-Norfolk.
Luke Hancock, communications officer for the agency, is hoping a fundraising golf tournament on Aug. 20 at Northridge Golf Course will attract at least 100 participants. A fundraising curling event is being planned for later in the year.
"We have work to do to better educate people about us," said O'Reilly.
More volunteers, particularly men, are also needed. There are about 20 little brothers currently waiting for a match.
"Women seem to be more comfortable in one-to-one relationships," said O'Reilly. "Male volunteers are always our biggest need."
Several city residents serve on the 12-member board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Haldimand Norfolk. When the agency took over the Brantford operation in 2008, there was an agreement to remain together for five years. The partnership will be reviewed next year to determine how it's working.
The satellite setup is a growing situation in the national Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, with about 20 other such pairings operating in five other provinces, although the vast majority of offices are standalone agencies.
O'Reilly said she couldn't speculate on whether Brantford could one day reestablish a standalone organization.
For now, the agency is working to increase its community profile. The group will have an information booth set up at the Brantford Red Sox game on June 30 where one of the "littles" may throw a ceremonial first pitch.
Hancock said brochures will be available for anyone looking for more information about the agency.
"We want to let people know we're still growing," said O'Reilly. "And our first priority is the kids."