Big Brothers Big Sisters Regina & Area has been serving Regina, Moose Jaw, and Weyburn in the spirit of the organization, for 50 years.
For half a century, our organization has been connecting youth with much needed, trusted support and guidance. While these moments and connections between Bigs and Littles are individual, the impacts run deep through our communities. Thriving communities are made up of comfortable, confident and caring people, and these building blocks begin to be set early in our lives.
In fact, a recent survey of Littles who had one to one mentorship, conducted by the Boston Consulting Group determined that every $1 donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters has a direct result of $23 to society—through financial literacy, stronger relationships, better employment outcomes and higher lifetime earnings.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Regina & Area has helped build countless life-changing, life-long relationships. Part of our work is going out into the community and making it easier for families to access our services. Right now, there are children who need a positive role model in their lives who is not a parent or teacher. In order to make this happen our organization relies on grants and cash donations. We are fortunate to receive grant funding each year, but that funding isn’t a guarantee, and like all charities in Canada, the support of our donors massively contributes to being able to reach out to, connect with, provide for, and support our clients.
Your gift—whether it is your time, or a cash donation, helps. Now, in our 50th year, we’ve launched a campaign to build on half a century of commitment to the community, through partnership of people who want to be a part of history in the making through matching Bigs and Littles.
“The Future 50 campaign is about legacy,” said Executive Director, Dominika Krzeminska. “It’s an opportunity to join something that not only has a rich history, but will mean a really bright future for a whole lot of young people.”
“We often see people who don’t fully understand the power of their gifts. A monthly donation, even a small one, means consistent and reliable funding to match and support kids on our waitlists. Even $25 per month can legitimately change lives—the Little and the Big!” That has been a long-recognized spin-off benefit of the program. Whereas the need comes from the side of the Little, the benefit is for both. Mentors have consistently shared how their experience has been a powerful, transformative time of personal growth and learning.
Our recurrent or monthly donors tend to be people who wish to volunteer but who don’t currently have the time. Life is busy. Cash donations ensure Littles are still getting the experience of mentorship. Recurrent donors are those who know that individual actions can make a community-wide impact. They know that a small gift—even just the cost of eating lunch out twice a week, can change someone’s life, starting in their most formative years.
Saskatchewan has a documented history of giving. Our province is filled with the most volunteers in all of Canada—higher than the national average, even. And, we are third in the country for donors and amount donated. It’s a wonderful reality that we see help create better futures for Littles that we hope to capture with this campaign.
“We know you’re out there! We know you—the person who wants to contribute; maybe you have a personal connection or have had a mentor in your professional or personal life. Or, maybe you’ve just never considered how you can help. This is your sign!” The Future 50 Campaign was developed to recognize a legacy, and the people who are going to help us build the next 50 years.
No one can predict the future, but Big Brothers Big Sisters Regina & Area has a vision—one we will continue to work toward building. We envision the ability to serve significantly more Littles—with no wait list, and more programs to support the individual needs of these little people. We envision a clear path, from mentee to mentor, meaning more Littles growing into Bigs who support the next generation of little people in need of guidance. No one reaches their goals alone, and we want to give that chance to any and every child who needs it. There is no better legacy than giving a child the confidence and support they need to become their best selves.
