Big Brothers Big Sisters Owen Sound is excited to announce that the community of Owen Sound is Lighting It Up Purple for mentorship awareness during the month of September.

The community building campaign includes partnership with Owen Sound DIA, Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce, County of Grey, City of Owen Sound and is proudly sponsored by Philips Canada Ltd. Every partner is putting their own spin on how they will be Lighting It Up for the month of September to encourage mentorship awareness and the need for caring adult role models in our community to get involved.

"We are overwhelmed by the support of our community", stated Executive Director, Jennifer Miller. "We anticipated a handful of folks to step up and participate but we have over 40 businesses down town ready to light it up and counting"! Participating businesses will each receive a kit to get them started which includes a window cling, a poster and a purple light bulb.

There are many events going on the month of September in celebration including the raising of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Flag at the community Centre on September 4th at 1:00pm with local leadership attending as guests. In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters Owen Sound being a charity for choice at this year's RibFest from September 14-16; and the chance to give at all area LCBOs through coins for change collection drive.

There are currently over 20 kids on wait lists that need a caring adult role model. Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid risky behaviors. In turn, these young people are:

· 43% less likely to have conduct problems in school

· Twice as likely to have high academic achievement

· 17% more likely to be gainfully employed as adults

· 34% less likely to allow themselves to be victimized or bullied by peers

· Have stronger social networks and report being happier and more confident

In our community, people can participate by: Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, volunteering for in-school mentoring, joining our Board of Directors, helping out at events, register a team for our annual Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser in March or donating to support program delivery.

To learn more about the role mentoring plays in our community and to find out more about volunteer opportunities visit: https://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/owensound or give us a call at 519-376-4449.

source: media release, Big Brothers Big Sisters Owen Sound