History
2010 - Despite missing a few years of updates, a good deal has happened inside the walls of our offices and across this and outer reaching communities. In 2009, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area served a record of over 3,100 children and their families. The important work of providing volunteer mentors to kids who could benefit from additional support is made possible by generous long and short term funders, including contributions through the purchase of tickets on our Dream Home and Provincial Lottery 4 Kids. Over 2,700 volunteers have graciously given of their time to fulfill the need of providing friendship of guidance to deserving children. Our thanks to all funders, partners, supporters and volunteers and look forward to achieving 2010's goal of improving futures for 3,500 children through Big Brothers Big Sisters Programs.
2007 - Our agency was honoured to receive a three year funding contract from Region Six Children’s Authority. This assured funding base allows us to make longer-term plans for mentoring programs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Dream Home #27 was the most successful in the agency’s history.
The Edmonton Community Foundation provides the agency with a grant of $100,000 a year for three years to assist the agency to better serve children and youth and their families who are new to our community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area begins work to develop a new strategic direction for the agency.
2006 - Our agency successfully completed the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada accreditation process. We learned that our agency, staff and volunteers have done an incredible job of staying true to our mission. United Way Alberta Capital Region increases funding to our agency by 70% to ensure the growth and sustainability of the In School Mentoring Program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area granted Club Status at the University of Alberta. Nearly 20% of our volunteers are University and College students.
Regional offices in Morinville and Vegreville join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area.
2005 - Regional Offices in Lac La Biche and Camrose joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area.
We celebrated a double-digit percent growth in the number of children and youth served. More than 2,024 children and youth in Edmonton and area were matched in a mentoring program; a record number for our agency.
The City of Edmonton, thru the FCSS program, funds our first mentoring program to serve children who have moved to our community to begin a new life who are new immigrants and refugees.
2004 - More than 1,700 children were matched in mentoring programs; more than at any other time in our agency’s history.
Our agency introduced an on-line application process. More than 80% of our volunteers now select this method of enrollment.
2003 - Our agency's name officially changed to "Big Brothers Big Sisters Society of Edmonton & Area" to match other Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Canada and around the world.
We reorganized our Caseworkers into Intake, Interview and Match Caseworkers. Match Caseworkers moved into schools throughout Edmonton to bring our mentoring programs closer to the communities where our kids and families live, learn and play.
2002 - Our School-Based Program Co-ordinator, Group Mentoring program staff, and Recruitment and Communications team moved up the hill from BBBS House to newly renovated Alex Taylor School where we join other agencies working to help strengthen children and families.
2001 - Our In-School Mentoring caseworkers moved to various schools in the community where the program is offered.
2000 - Largest grant ($340,000) in history of Edmonton Community Foundation received for In-School Mentoring. This amount was matched by an anonymous donor.
Mentoring programs of Arbutus Volunteer Foundation and Partners Program of Boys & Girls Club merge with mentoring programs of Big Sisters & Big Brothers.
Big Brother Neil Siemens wins Senior Big Brother of the Year Award and Edmonton's Volunteer of the Year Award.
Mentoring programs provided to more than 1,700 children, youth and families by Big Sisters & Big Brothers of Edmonton & Area.
1999 - Number of active Big Sister/Big Brother matches exceeds 400 for first time in agency's history. We say good-bye to friend, colleague and mentor Colin Pinkoski. Agency budget exceeds $l,000,000 for first time.
1998 - In-School Mentor program begins. Liz O'Neill wins Big Brothers & Sisters of Canada Executive Director of the Year Award. First CIBC YouthVision Scholarships awarded. Major Strategic Plan completed.
1997 - Strathcona County office of Big Sisters & Big Brothers opens.
1996 - Ruth Kelly becomes first female President of Big Brothers & Sisters of Canada.
1995 - Muttart Foundation begins funding Right for Me program.
1994 - Restructuring of Children's Services throughout Alberta begins.
1993 - New addition added to Big Sister/Big Brother house. Right for Me program begins. Stay-In-School program launched.
1992 - Parkland Office of Big Sisters & Big Brothers opens.
1991 - Big Sisters & Big Brothers becomes a United Way agency.
1990 - Big Sisters Society of Edmonton and Big Brothers of Edmonton merge. First database for clients and volunteers established. Butterfly logo chosen for agency. Merged agency joins Big Brothers & Sisters of Canada.
1989 - Christine Wilson is first Edmonton Board member elected to Board of Big Brothers & Sisters of Canada.
1988 - Muttart Foundation starts to fund Life Choices program.
1987 - Riverdale floods; Big Sister house becomes Flood Headquarters. 1st Kite Day
1986 - Began successful Dream Home fundraiasing events.
1985 - Kinsmen Big Sister House opens in Riverdale. Big Sisters has five (5) staff members.
1984 - Life Choices program begins
1983 - 1st Annual Volunteer Awards and Recognition banquet held.
1982 - Kinsmen Club of Fort Edmonton renovate original school house in Edmonton and begin to work with us to build Kinsmen Big Sister House.
1981 - Big Sisters moves to an old school house in Riverdale.
1980 - Big Brothers of Edmonton established. Bowling campaign begins.
1979 - Liz O'Neill joins agency as Executive Director.
1978 - Judge Myra Bielby is President of Big Sisters.
1977 - Annie Neumann is a volunteer with Big Sisters.
1976 - First grant received from the City of Edmonton.
1975 - Big Sisters moves to LeMarchand Mansion.
1974 - Programs provided to 20 children.
1973 - First staff are hired to work for Big Sisters.
1972 - Big Sisters Society of Edmonton is established. Office is in the YWCA in downtown Edmonton.