Big Brothers Big Sisters of Owen Sound is pleased to announce that earlier this year, they received a three-year, $173,500 Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for program expansion funding. This will allow the charity to add two nationally accredited programs to its suite of services to the at-risk children and youth in the community: The One to One "Big Sister" Volunteer Mentoring program, and the Adult In-School Mentoring Program for boys and girls.

"This grant is an investment in our children and youth. I am delighted to know that funding will be available for programs and resources that will assist in fostering positive skills and opportunities, which in turn, will help enhance their confidence and abilities." - Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

Over the next 36 months, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Owen Sound plans to recruit and train 165 volunteers and match them with 165 youth. The expected result is that the children will demonstrate improvement in making healthy choices about day-to-day life and grow up having more respect for family, peers and community.

"I am delighted that the Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing a $173,500 grant to support a collaboration between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Owen Sound, the youth in our community and our local schools and we are so honoured to receive this funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help us launch these new programs," said Mentoring Coordinator, Mandi Lamb, Board President.

"Not only will this support allow us to serve many more at-risk girls in the community, but it will also prove beneficial for many Owen Sound residents to volunteer as mentors which will encourage a cycle of giving back in the community," added Any McKee.

Applications are now being accepted for both volunteer mentors and for families wishing to enrol their child in a mentoring program and can be found online at www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/bbowensound or by calling (519) 376-4449.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Owen Sound was established in 1964 and was one of the first 10 charter members in Canada. The purpose of the organization is to promote the healthy development of youth through a variety of quality mentoring programs. Programs are specifically tailored to motivate and encourage youth to stay in school, which is beneficial in reducing drop-out rates, drug/alcohol use and unplanned teen pregnancies.

As an agency of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is one of Canada's largest granting foundations. With a budget of over $136 million, OTF awards grants to some 1,000 projects every year to build healthy and vibrant Ontario communities. www.otf.ca

source: media release, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Owen Sound