Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters

2007 CIBC Youthvision Scholarship

CIBC is committed to investing in the education of Canada's young people. Through a unique partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and YMCA Canada, 30 scholarships, valued at $34,000 each, are awarded annually to Grade 10 students. All recipients receive tuition, mentoring and internship support. Niagara Falls' Little Sister Melissa Lefebvre was one of the 30 students selected from across Canada this year.

Congratulations Melissa on your accomplishment!

CIBC award winner

Melissa Lefebvre and NFBBBS's Manager of Programs and Services Veronica Loveless in Toronto for the award ceremony.

2006 President's Banquet Award Winners

Deb Murty and Dave Morningstar were recognized at this year's President Banquet held at The MacBain Community Centre on April 3rd, 2007.

Debbie Murty began her involvement as a Big Sister 20 years ago. She has been matched with 7 little sisters, currently with Shai-Anne whom she has been matched with since October. She is a faithful, dedicated mentor, an encourager and supporter.

Dave Morningstar was a little brother himself, actually one of the first for Big Brothers, in 1966. In 1979 he was approved as a Big Brother and has been involved for 16 years with several little brothers. After taking a break he reapplied in 2004 and has been matched with his current little brother, Dorian for 3 years.

Congratulations to both Deb and Dave for their outstanding contributions to Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters!

June Foxwell
John Prentice Volunteer of the Year Award Winner

Our Volunteer of the Year was the unanimous choice because of her years of service, her commitment to BBBS and to the kids. She is loyal, dedicated and works tirelessly for our agency even at a moments notice. June as been volunteering since 1988, first with Big Sisters prior to the merger, and since with Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters. Congratuations, and thanks, June!

Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Jon Braithwaite
and United Way Executive Director Carol Stewart Kirby

Jon and Carole

Elaine Paugh, 2007 Paul Harris Fellow Award Winner
Big Sister receives award from Niagara Falls Sunrise Rotary Club

Elaine Paugh has been a Big Sister with Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters for over 16 years, and is currently matched with Gionet. The Sunrise Rotary Club recognized her commitment to the children of Niagara Falls, and presented her with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship on February 6th. Congratulations, Elaine, we are all very proud of you!!

Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters receives
Award for Leadership Excellence!!
Niagara Falls, ON - At the annual awards banquet held July 7th in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s National Convention, Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters received the Leadership Excellence Award for agencies serving up to 200 children.

This award recognizes those agencies (Board, staff and volunteers) that have demonstrated exemplary leadership related to: program innovation, Board leadership, agency to agency support, marketing achievement, innovative partnerships or staff team.
“This award is really quite an honor for us at Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters.” commented Jon Braithwaite, Executive Director for the agency. “The National Board and Staff have recognized our accomplishments throughout the past year, and felt that we strongly deserved this award. We’ve all worked very hard over the past year to provide more mentoring opportunities for the children of our community, and we are increasing the number of children we can serve. The fact is, however, there are still kids out there without a mentor, and so our responsibility is to continue in this direction and provide them with this opportunity. However, it’s great to know that we have so many supporters in Niagara Falls, from our volunteer mentors and board members to our fantastic donors.”

Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters started two new programs in 2005 designed to increase options for volunteer mentors. Go Girls! Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds was successfully piloted at BattlefieldSchool in October of last year, and offered at Kate S. Durden, John Marshall, and James Morden schools in the spring. Go Girls! is a mentoring program designed to encourage participation in physical activity, healthy eating choices, and the development of a positive self-image, among girls aged 12 to 14.

Big Hearts, Little Hands was also a new program offered this past year. In partnership with Coronation 50 Plus and SimcoeStreetSchool, 8 volunteers from Coronation 50 Plus were matched with 8 students at SimcoeStreetSchool to meet weekly for a variety of activities, many of which were aimed at improving the literacy/numeracy skills of the students. The program culminated with the planting of a butterfly garden at Eventide Home in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters has increased the number of children served by over 20% in the past year, now serving over 150 children and youth in Niagara Falls. Ian Gollert, President of Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters, feels that their recent move to the MacBain Community Centre contributed significantly to this growth. “Certainly with our new location, we are more visible and accessible. We are pleased to see the increase in our volunteer applications, and of course, this translates to providing more mentors to the children in our community. This award is a tribute to funders such as the United Way of Niagara Falls, to our many community partners, volunteers, board, and staff. As an agency we have a vision to see that every child in Niagara Falls who needs a mentor, has a mentor, and it is through these types of collaborations and program innovations that we will achieve this. We are so pleased that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada has recognized all of our hard work.”

					Latest News Agency Newsletter For Bigs and Littles MacBain Community Centre Big Brother Big Sister Month
		2007 CIBC Youthvision Scholarship CIBC is committed to investing in the education of Canada's young people. Through a unique partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and YMCA Canada, 30 scholarships, valued at $34,000 each, are awarded annually to Grade 10 students. All recipients receive tuition, mentoring and internship support. Niagara Falls' Little Sister Melissa Lefebvre was one of the 30 students selected from across Canada this year. Congratulations Melissa on your accomplishment! Melissa Lefebvre and NFBBBS's Manager of Programs and Services Veronica Loveless in Toronto for the award ceremony. 2006 President's Banquet Award Winners Deb Murty and Dave Morningstar Awarded Big Sister and Big Brother of the Year Deb Murty and Dave Morningstar were recognized at this year's President Banquet held at The MacBain Community Centre on April 3rd, 2007. Debbie Murty began her involvement as a Big Sister 20 years ago. She has been matched with 7 little sisters, currently with Shai-Anne whom she has been matched with since October. She is a faithful, dedicated mentor, an encourager and supporter. Dave Morningstar was a little brother himself, actually one of the first for Big Brothers, in 1966. In 1979 he was approved as a Big Brother and has been involved for 16 years with several little brothers. After taking a break he reapplied in 2004 and has been matched with his current little brother, Dorian for 3 years. Congratulations to both Deb and Dave for their outstanding contributions to Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters! June Foxwell John Prentice Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Our Volunteer of the Year was the unanimous choice because of her years of service, her commitment to BBBS and to the kids. She is loyal, dedicated and works tirelessly for our agency even at a moments notice. June as been volunteering since 1988, first with Big Sisters prior to the merger, and since with Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters. Congratuations, and thanks, June! Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Jon Braithwaite and United Way Executive Director Carol Stewart Kirby Elaine Paugh, 2007 Paul Harris Fellow Award Winner Big Sister receives award from Niagara Falls Sunrise Rotary Club Elaine Paugh has been a Big Sister with Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters for over 16 years, and is currently matched with Gionet. The Sunrise Rotary Club recognized her commitment to the children of Niagara Falls, and presented her with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship on February 6th. Congratulations, Elaine, we are all very proud of you!! Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters receives Award for Leadership Excellence!! Niagara Falls, ON - At the annual awards banquet held July 7th in conjunction with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s National Convention, Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters received the Leadership Excellence Award for agencies serving up to 200 children. This award recognizes those agencies (Board, staff and volunteers) that have demonstrated exemplary leadership related to: program innovation, Board leadership, agency to agency support, marketing achievement, innovative partnerships or staff team. “This award is really quite an honor for us at Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters.” commented Jon Braithwaite, Executive Director for the agency. “The National Board and Staff have recognized our accomplishments throughout the past year, and felt that we strongly deserved this award. We’ve all worked very hard over the past year to provide more mentoring opportunities for the children of our community, and we are increasing the number of children we can serve. The fact is, however, there are still kids out there without a mentor, and so our responsibility is to continue in this direction and provide them with this opportunity. However, it’s great to know that we have so many supporters in Niagara Falls, from our volunteer mentors and board members to our fantastic donors.” Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters started two new programs in 2005 designed to increase options for volunteer mentors. Go Girls! Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds was successfully piloted at BattlefieldSchool in October of last year, and offered at Kate S. Durden, John Marshall, and James Morden schools in the spring. Go Girls! is a mentoring program designed to encourage participation in physical activity, healthy eating choices, and the development of a positive self-image, among girls aged 12 to 14. Big Hearts, Little Hands was also a new program offered this past year. In partnership with Coronation 50 Plus and SimcoeStreetSchool, 8 volunteers from Coronation 50 Plus were matched with 8 students at SimcoeStreetSchool to meet weekly for a variety of activities, many of which were aimed at improving the literacy/numeracy skills of the students. The program culminated with the planting of a butterfly garden at Eventide Home in Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters has increased the number of children served by over 20% in the past year, now serving over 150 children and youth in Niagara Falls. Ian Gollert, President of Niagara Falls Big Brothers Big Sisters, feels that their recent move to the MacBain Community Centre contributed significantly to this growth. “Certainly with our new location, we are more visible and accessible. We are pleased to see the increase in our volunteer applications, and of course, this translates to providing more mentors to the children in our community. This award is a tribute to funders such as the United Way of Niagara Falls, to our many community partners, volunteers, board, and staff. As an agency we have a vision to see that every child in Niagara Falls who needs a mentor, has a mentor, and it is through these types of collaborations and program innovations that we will achieve this. We are so pleased that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada has recognized all of our hard work.”