ISCU Pledges $50,000 to Mentoring Program
Apr 24, 2012
(News Release) VICTORIA — Island Savings Credit Union will donate $50,000 over the next two years to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area to support the growth of their In-School Mentoring program, which matches referred children at designated schools with screened and trained mentors, and focuses on activities that support positive relationships, resiliency, social development, and success in school.
"We are pleased that Island Savings has become the title sponsor of In-School Mentoring,” says Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director Rhonda Brown. “In 2012, we are celebrating 15 years of service to children through this program and know that our volunteers visiting local schools each week are truly making a difference.”
As a result of In-School Mentoring, 48 per cent of children are less likely to have behavioural problems in school, while 34 per cent are less likely to allow themselves to be victimized or bullied by their peers.
“Through their commitment, Island Savings demonstrates the value of investing in the children of our community,” says Brown. “Together we will grow the In-School Mentoring program to help children stay in school and reach their full potential."
The partnership, which extends an existing three-year agreement, also allows Big Brothers Big Sisters to dedicate resources to screen and train volunteers, deliver child safety training, liaise with schools, match at-risk children with mentors, and provide ongoing monitoring.
“It was an easy decision for us to keep growing our relationship because of the great results we’ve seen together in the past few years,” says Bronwyn Dunbar, senior manager of marketing and community investment at Island Savings. “In 2011 alone the program had a demonstrated growth of 14 per cent in one-to-one mentoring relationships and we want to keep this positive momentum going.”
Beyond the dollars, Island Savings employees have also contributed over 720 hours of volunteer time to both mentoring and Big Brothers Big Sisters events.
A high percentage of mentors enrolled in In-School Mentoring are college or university students who are exploring careers in education or child development; the expansion of the program will provide opportunities for them to support their educational growth as well. To become an in-school mentor, Big Brother or Big Sister, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area.