Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash
Hub Staff
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey Bruce and West Simcoe (BBBSGBWS) has secured Canada Service Corps (CSC) funding to expand their Youth Mentorship programs.
The $1,046,964 will be administered through CSC's Employment and Social Development Canada over two years, allowing the organization to create new volunteer placements and engaging youth in community service projects.
The funding aims to provide organizations with the capacity to offer service opportunities for youth, in particular youth from under-serviced communities and BBBSGBWS will collaborate with youth to co-create placements that not only address local needs but also help youth acquire much-needed skills through training and development opportunities.
Beth Aubrey, Executive Director for BBBSGBWS said that the funding will help create more opportunities for youth to engage with their communities in a meaningful way.
By supporting projects that contribute to their youth local communities, youth will gain insights and a sense of purpose while supporting social development.
"When young people engage in community service or local projects, they gain an understanding of their community's history, needs, and future vision," read an April 7 media release from BBBSGBWS. "Youth in rural areas often face several barriers, including limited access to recreational programs, training, and support networks," the release said.
"Connecting them to community-driven programs can increase community, safety and wellbeing."
Aubrey hopes that by involving youth in identifying and solving problems within their own communities, rural areas will benefit from fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
