Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham is the child and youth mentorship organization serving North Durham, including Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock townships. Now in its 48th year, it matches children and youth with trained volunteer mentors through one-to-one, in-school and group mentoring programs. Its current Connect and Thrive program, funded by a $100,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed grant, builds social skills through team-building activities that also support mental wellness. Volunteers go through an application, interview, reference and child-safety training process before being matched. The agency also runs community fundraisers such as the Winding Roads music festival and the Port Perry Holiday Market, with proceeds supporting local mentoring programs.