Group Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel

…One Child at a Time!

Making a Difference …


Group Mentoring

Overview

• 16 Groups

• 2:1 mentoring ratio

• 215 youth served in 2009

• Meet two hours during the week

• Engage in fun activities that incorporate culture, recreation and life skills development


Group Program History

Program piloted in 1995 in Peel Wait lists were growing Match process was taking over two

years Recognized that some children would

benefit from two tiered mentoring; both volunteer and peer levels


Program Overview

• 156 children registered in 16 groups – 8 groups Brampton/Caledon– 8 Mississauga groups

• Meet weekly on week night from 7-9PM– Fall (late Sept- early Dec)– Winter (late Jan – March Break)– Spring (March Break – early June)

• Activities at different locations


Group Structure Program Area Program Location Age Meeting Date

Boys Programs Mississauga

Junior Boys Mississauga 8-11 years Tuesday

Intermediate Boys Mississauga West 12-14 years Thursday

Senior Boys Mississauga Central 14-18 years Thursday

Basketball Group Mississauga 13-17 years Every second Tuesday

Brampton/ Caledon

Big Buddy (boys & girls) Brampton 7-8 years Tuesday

Junior Boys Brampton 8-9 years Tuesday

Intermediate Boys Brampton 10-12 years Tuesday

Intermediate Boys Brampton 10-12 years Wednesday

Senior Boys Brampton 13-14 years Wednesday

Teen Boys Brampton 15-18 years Wednesday

Girls ProgramsMississauga

Junior Girls Mississauga 7-10 years Wednesday

Intermediate Girls Mississauga 12-13 years Wednesday

Senior Girls Mississauga 15-18 years Wednesday

Brampton/ Caledon

Teen Girls Brampton 12 years + Tuesday

Intermediate Girls Brampton 9-11 years Wednesday


Program Statistics

Parent, Volunteer and Little surveys are conducted end of each year regarding the Group Program

• 83% of “Littles” report difference their volunteers make in their lives

• 90% of volunteers have reported relationship growth over the year

• 88% of parents described volunteer relationship with their child has positively benefited their child

• 81% volunteers report feeling effective as a mentor


Program StatisticsTopic (% reporting of positive feedback)

Parents Volunteers Littles

Improved Communication and Social Skills

79% 68% 51%

Improved relationships with peers

73% 68% 77%

Improved family relationships 65% 45% 52%

Increased in self esteem reported

78% 71% 69%

Increased sense of happiness and hope for the future

79% 71% 68%


Program Costs and Structure

• Program costs approximately $315,900

• Expenses include:– Salaries of two full caseworkers– Volunteer screening costs– Occupancy Costs - Office Space, Computer

Equipment, Program Marketing– Program Supplies and Materials


Characteristics of Group Mentor

• Regular time each week

• Energy

• Team-oriented

• Able to set boundaries

• Patient and understanding of children’s circumstances

• Interested in participating with children to give children maximum mentoring benefit


Volunteering – Getting Started• Volunteers must be 18 years old to mentor• Complete following forms:

– Program Application - different from Development application

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

character• 1.5 hours - In person interview

– Talk about personal history, group process and next steps

– Attend Child Safety Training SessionProcess typically up to 2 months depending on Police Check


Group Mentor Meetings

• Group Meetings organized for each group each season includes Caseworker, Team Leader, Group Volunteers

• Mentors review the ground rules and levels of expectations

• Caseworkers review pertinent information about children, pre-organized activities and perimeters

• Exchange of contact information• Volunteers assigned children according to

geographic proximity


Group Mentoring – Team Leader

• Each week the Caseworker coordinates with Team Leader

• Team leader – Responsible for contacting volunteers each week to

discuss the event and requirements– Supervises each activity– In touch with Caseworker should an incident arise– Write brief report of each outing – Follows up with the Caseworker after each event


Group Mentoring – Volunteer

– Checks in with the Team Leader and gathers information regarding “Littles” requirements

– Make arrangements with parents or guardians regarding pick ups and drop offs

– ensure they have appropriate child safety seats

– supervise and mentor their children during the evening

– Work with the Team Leader should incidents arise


Group Host - Corporate

• Opportunities for a company or group to host a single or series of activities for one or more groups

• Staff can provide guidance on suitable activities • Company is responsible for the logistics and

costs of the activity• Volunteer mentors supervise the children• Should last 1-1.5 hours (7:30 – 9:00) and include

a snack• Excellent team-building opportunity


Group Activities - Purpose

• Activities are designed each week to be fun, interactive and engaging

• Based on three pillars, Culture, Recreation and Life Skills Development

• Focus on helping children to learn about themselves and others in a fun respectful manner

• Important activities are not an extension of school


Program Needs

• Volunteers

• Host Companies

• In-Kind Donations – Snacks like Granola Bars, Juice, Grocery GCs– Sports equipment for Group Sports Bag– Gift Certificates – Pizza, DQ, Tim Hortons– Passes – Laser Quest, Bowling, Playdium,

Movies, Swimming


How Can You Help

Do you know someone who would be interested in …– Being a group mentor?

– Hosting a Group activity one week?

– Sponsoring one of our 16 groups?

Group Mentoring

Documents

Transcript of Group Mentoring