Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury
Who Mentored You?
Growing up, were there people in your life who cheered you on, showed you the ropes and helped you become the person you are today? Having a positive role model growing up can change the course of a young person’s life and for rangatahi (young people) in North Canterbury in need of a mentor - Big Brothers Big Sisters can help.
Aldrine is a kid who could have quite easily gone unnoticed. He’s quiet, softly spoken and doesn’t get into trouble. At age nine, Aldrine went to school and then came home to his paraplegic mother, who was being looked after by 24-hour caregivers. Aldrine didn’t spend time with anyone outside of his whanau and he didn’t get to participate in much, due to his mother’s physical restrictions. When Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Canterbury matched him with volunteer Mentor Steve, suddenly the world around him opened up.
All of a sudden Aldrine had the opportunity to try go-karting and cooking, he started building things (like a raised garden for his mum) and he was able to participate in community events and meet new people. He has a friend who he can rely on when things are difficult, someone to listen to him without judgement and someone who he knows chooses to spend time with him. Not a family member who is obligated, not a teacher who is paid, but a real friend who considers him important and worthwhile.
What does Steve, his Mentor, get out of volunteering as a ‘Big Brother’? Steve knows that he has made a difference in one child’s life by watching Aldrine grow from a quiet kid to a teenager who feels confident within himself and who knows he is now part of something bigger than just him. By just being himself and giving his time and attention to someone who needed it, Steve has changed Aldrine’s life forever.
Matching adult volunteers with children aged between 6 and 11, Big Brothers Big Sisters works throughout Waimakariri and Hurunui, building strong, healthy friendships based on shared interests and hobbies. For just one hour once a week, mentors spend time with the tamariki (children) they are matched with, in their local community or at the child’s school, doing everyday activities together like walking the dog, baking or playing board games.
Having a positive role model growing up can change the course of a young person’s life. The charity’s youth mentoring programme is free for the caregivers, families, schools and volunteers involved, but the cost to provide quality mentor training is real, with each match costing between $1,500 to $1,800 annually.
With 55 matches across the region, the charity had hoped its new fundraising event ‘The BIG Bounce - Inflatable Fun for Everyone!’ would help cover some programme costs. Sadly, the event has been postponed due to Covid restrictions but is being supported by a number of North Canterbury businesses such as Gold Sponsors; Stadium Cars Rangiora, Williams McKenzie Lawyers and Helmore Stewart Lawyers and Donors; Fun HQ and Horton Signs.
While the pandemic continues and the charity patiently waits for event restrictions to ease. Development Coordinator, Jo Sim describes how local businesses are finding other innovative and fun ways to show their support:
“Last year, the crafty team at Williams McKenzie Lawyers made an array of bright and colourful facemasks, selling them to clients, friends and family raising several hundred dollars in donations.”
Finding out their motivation for supporting this not-for-profit, Tania McKenzie says:
“I love that something as simple as spending an hour a week with a young person can be life-changing for their development. By supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are supporting everyone in our community”
Nas White from House of Jasmine, a boutique salon, has also been busy raising funds for the charity throughout the ongoing pandemic, Jo says:
“Nas has held numerous fundraising raffles for Big Brothers Big Sisters and more recently, leaped off the Hanmer Springs bungee jump to raise money! This small local business has generated over $1,000 in donations for kids in North Canterbury in the last year - we think that’s just incredible.”
Speaking with Nas, her passion to do good in her community shines through:
“Having two kids of my own, I understand the value a positive role model can have on a child, so I’m privileged to be able to help other children in my community.”
Wondering how your business could help support children and their families in North Canterbury?
Programme Manager, Ellie Le Gros says;
“Joe’s Garage in Taranaki provides ‘Community Vouchers’ to their local Big Brothers Big Sisters branch which can be redeemed when Mentor Coordinators and their matches meet up for supervision sessions or celebrations. We’d love to partner with any cafes willing to run a similar scheme here in North Canterbury. What better way to recognise friendship anniversaries than with milkshakes and cake!”
Check out the box to the right for more ways to help and stay tuned for the next edition of Locals Magazine to read more about the life-changing matches Big Brothers Big Sisters make in our community.
How Can I Help?
1.Local Business? Partner with us! Email jo@bbbs.nz or call 03 310 7004 to have a chat.
2.Click here to make a one-off donation to support our programme
3.Follow us on social media @bbbsnorthcanty to find out more about Youth Mentoring.
Written By Jo Sim
