School-Based Programs Delayed
The back-to-school season is brimming with excitement – new backpacks, final camping trips, and a fresh school year full of possibilities. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region, back-to-school also usually brings the joyful return of school-based mentoring programs. Some children are reunited with their mentor from the year before, filled with stories and surprises after the summer. Others are matched for the very first time, easing the transition into a new school and providing access to support right at school – when and where they need it most.
But this year, back-to-school season is feeling quieter at BBBSV.
We have made the difficult but necessary decision to delay the return of our school-based programs. We notified schools and volunteers earlier this month that unless we secure additional funding, our In-School Mentoring and B You: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds programs will be delayed until later in the school year.
Support our Programs: Make a Donation
In June, we sent out an urgent message to our community: we desperately need funding to be able to continue our mentoring programs into the fall. We are extremely grateful to have raised almost $80,000 towards our goal of $250,000 with a combination of grants, foundation donations, and the support of everyday community members just like you. However, we still have about 70% of the way to go towards our goal by the end of next month: September 2026. As the back-to-school season looms, we are left with a gap in the funding needed to facilitate our school-based programs.
We have children at local schools needing support as they enter a new school year, and even volunteers ready to meet them. While grants cover some costs, we just don’t have the funding we need to facilitate these programs and support these mentoring relationships.
You can help: if we can close the funding gap, we can stabilize these programs to keep them available all school year long. Your support means that hundreds of local elementary students will have the support they need to succeed: both emotionally and academically.
Please make a donation if you can: Make a Donation Online
We have several fundraising promotions and partnerships coming up for Big Brothers Big Sisters Month in September. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Got a fundraising idea? Reach out to discuss how you or your business can help. Email Amanda Hill, Executive Director: amanda.hill@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca 250 475-1117 ext. #1007
