Big Bunch Presentation

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel

…One Child at a Time!

Making a Difference …


Big Bunch Program

• Started in 2004

• Program for youth on wait list

• 300 children enrolled

• 164 volunteers

• 4-6 activities coordinated a month• Program dependant on funding and

volunteers (Community Campaign for Kids)


Big Bunch Coordinator

• Organizes activities for 2 month period• Sends bulletin to volunteers and families • Bulletin outlines activities and requirements• Requests taken from families and volunteers• Two weeks prior to activities, volunteers/team

lead assigned their activity’s matches• Volunteers emailed who they are picking up

along with their address and contact information and pertinent activity details

• Caseworker is always available on activity day


Program Process - Family

• Families submit an application to participate

• Family interview & Child Safety Training conducted

• Bi-monthly bulletin sent to families • Outlines 6-8 events (some events

co-ed)• Families make 1st and 2nd choice • Try to accommodate all requests• Restrictions result due to limited

volunteers


Program Overview - Volunteer

• Flexible program for volunteers• Volunteers must be 18 years old to mentor• Complete following forms:

– Program Application– Police Check – Confidentiality Agreement– Submit references by employer, family and character

• In person interview takes place that lasts approximately 1.5 hours – Talk about personal history, activity process and next

steps


Volunteering – Next Steps– Once paperwork completed, volunteers attend

training that includes Child Safety– Process typically takes up to 2 months but dependant

on Police Check– Receive bi-monthly mailing – Contact caseworker for activities of interest– Required to volunteer once a month– 2 (max. 3) Children assigned per volunteer– Not always the same children


Program Overview - Volunteer

• Volunteer contacts the family one week in advance to make travel arrangements

• Volunteer informed of any requirements to remind family (Children must be ready)

• Volunteer Team Leader assigned to oversee group (Caseworker always available)


1:1 in Bunch

Sub-Program of the Big Bunch leading to the 1:1 program. Good program if

• All approvals may not be complete

• Funding or time commitment may be a problem for volunteer

• Program provides consistent mentoring

• Volunteers pick up the same children


Program StatisticsQuestionnaire sent at the end of each year• 82% of parents agreed that their child benefitted from

the positive interaction with mentors in Big Bunch • 78% of parents agreed Big Bunch provided increased

opportunities for their child to be physically active. • 73% of parents agreed that their child participated in

more community activities through the program.• 97% of children reported that they had fun at Big

Bunch outings this year. • 84% of children reported that they felt better about

themselves.• 94% of volunteers rated their experience with the

program as Excellent.


Program Costs and Structure• Program costs approximately

$140,800• Expenses include:

– Salaries of one full-time caseworker

– Family Assessment, & Volunteer screening

– Occupancy Costs - Office Space, Computer Equipment, Program Marketing

– Program Supplies and Materials


Corporate Social Responsibility

Opportunities for businesses:

• Host a Lunch and Learn• Become a Big Bunch Host• Sponsor a Big Bunch

Activity• Make a Product Donations• Encourage Staff to become

mentors• Identify an Ambassador

(internal champion)


Past Corporate Activities• EB Games

– 50 children and 25 volunteers– BBQ, Games, Take home & competitions

• PCL – BMO Field Soccer Workshop– Bus 30 children 15 volunteers– Tour of facility & Soccer workshop– Lunch at stadium

• Simply Divine - Spa night 10 teens

• Premier Fitness – Swimming

excursions & Gym Nights


Corporate Activity Ideas• Sports Related Activities

– Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Soccer

• Kitchen- Cooking Class• Computer Workshops• Spa Night, Hairdressing • Games Night at your office• Restaurant/Business tours• Garden Clinic • Craft Night • Stock Market• Music Industry • Scavenger Hunt• Dance Classes• Flower Arranging

• Mechanics Class• Woodworking• Canoeing/ Kayaking• Hiking• Yoga• Martial Arts• Bowling• Art• Pottery


Program Needs

• Volunteers• Activity Hosts• Sponsorship

– Activity Outing – Activity Bins

• In-Kind Donations – Craft supplies, sports equipment, swimming coupons,

movie tickets,– Gift Certificates – Dairy Queen, Pizza– Granola Bars, Fruit juice, Snacks


Working Our Networks• Who do you know who can help support

our Big Bunch Program

• Make one connection

Big Bunch Presentation

Documents

Transcript of Big Bunch Presentation