Big Steps to Success
An Initiative of Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada
Customized Mentoring for Young People in Care
Big Steps to Success is a mentorship program specifically designed for children and youth living in government care. Big Steps to Success Mentors will be matched with an Indigenous youth (between 7 and 17 years old) residing with kin, in Customary Care or Foster Care. Mentors will meet with their Little on a weekly basis to provide caring, responsible, mature role modeling for the purpose of improving educational outcomes.
The Mentor and Mentee (Match) will participate in low-cost to no-cost community-based outings. The Match will celebrate Indigenous culture and traditions through art, music and community activities.
Mentors Make a BIG Difference!
Compared to their non-mentored peers, vulnerable youth who receive mentoring are:
55%
more likely to enroll in post-secondary education
17%
more likely to be gainfully employed
130%
more likely to hold leadership positions
50%
more likely to have a strong social network
78%
more likely to volunteer
100%
more likely to
laugh everyday!
55%
more likely to enroll in post-secondary education
17%
more likely to be gainfully employed
130%
more likely to hold leadership positions
50%
more likely to have a strong social network
78%
more likely to volunteer
100%
more likely to
laugh everyday!
Research has shown that the involvement of a trusted and positive mentor can promote social and academic success in young people involved with the child welfare system. Creating access to nurturing adult mentors can help young people engage academically and allow them to stay on track so that they can graduate from high school, one of the most critical predictors of their future success.
By connecting young people living in government care with trusted, trained adult mentors and providing dedicated ongoing support, Big Steps to Success will:
- Lead to increased rates of post-secondary enrollment among youth in and from the child welfare system
- Help young people benefit from the power of a nurturing, caring adult relationship
- Improve educational outcomes at the primary and secondary school levels, supporting higher rates of high school graduation
- Lead to increased rates of post-secondary enrollment among youth in and from the child welfare system
- Help young people benefit from the power of a nurturing, caring adult relationship
- Improve educational outcomes at the primary and secondary school levels, supporting higher rates of high school graduation
Resources & Media
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Become a Mentor
Become a Mentor
Learn how you can become a mentor by calling Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Bay and District at 705-474-3041 or click the link below to contact us through the Volunteer page.
Big Steps to Success Across Canada
Big Steps to Success is available in Victoria, Saskatoon, Toronto and North Bay for children and youth in care aged 7 to 14, a critical early intervention window when young people are more likely to be receptive to adult mentors and experience long-term academic benefits. BMO Financial Group and Government of Ontario have contributed to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada & Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s Big Steps to Success program with a crucial investment of $5 million.
