September is a time of new beginnings and Northumberland Big Sisters Big Brothers is celebrating the month’s spirit of change by daring NorthumberlandCounty residents to rediscover the magic of their childhood by connecting with a child in need of guidance.

The drive for volunteers is part of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Dare to be a kid again campaign, which “dares” adults from all walks of life to see life through the eyes of a child by volunteering to mentor a Little Brother or Little Sister.

“Mentoring is a transforming experience that enables the “Big” to recapture the fun and excitement of childhood,” says Barb Keenan, Executive Director, NBSBB. “If you want to awaken your inner child and energize yourself, there is no better way than to volunteer to participate in one of our mentoring services.”

NorthumberlandCounty can learn more about how to become a Big Brother or Big Sister by visiting www.beakidagain.ca.

In our community there are 19 kids on the waiting list for a Big Brother or Big Sister and some have been waiting as long as two years for people step forward to volunteer. The shortage of youth mentors is Canada-wide. Nationally, there are now more than 10,000 boys and girls on waiting lists for a new “Big” at the 140 Big Brothers Big Sister agencies across the country.

 “Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor-supported volunteer organization,” says Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC). “During September, we are daring adults to be kids again, but we are also in need of funds. Canadians can also make a major difference for the kids simply by making a donation.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters “Dare to be a kid again” campaign is sponsored by The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada. Beyond financial support, Standard Life is mobilizing its employee and stakeholder networks to advance the cause of youth mentoring.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is the nation’s largest youth mentoring organization, providing quality adult mentoring services for over 26,000 children. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada currently has 140 agencies serving more than 1,000 communities, and yet more must be done, as some children still have to wait up to two years for a Big Brother or Big Sister.  www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca