Big Bunch is a group mentoring program offered in specific communities in Toronto. Volunteers are matched with the same 2 Littles each session, and meet up with the same group of Bigs and Littles bi-weekly on a week night. Big Bunch is led by volunteers who work with the BBBST staff to plan and facilitate activities that take place at pre-arranged locations. Big Bunch offers a setting for children to have fun, increase self-esteem and learn new skills within a positive environment. Big Bunch provides children with positive role models and friendship, supporting positive peer interaction in a group setting.
Along with lots of fun and activities, the Big Bunch friendship program encourages...
- Motivation of the children physically, intellectually and socially in a group context.
- Enhancement of self-awareness and awareness of others; to increase self-esteem.
- Development of a further understanding of each child in order to enhance the matching process.
- Provision of opportunity for a volunteer who cannot commit to weekly contact and/or long term service.
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- More children are served and served sooner.
- Child's social skills are strengthened.
- Gives a child a sense of belonging.
- Allows children the experience of a cooperative group and a larger community.
- Provides an opportunity to further assess child and volunteer.
- Provides opportunities to volunteers who cannot commit to weekly contact and/or long term service.
For 2008, Big Bunch will be piloted in the following communities:
September 2008 - Volunteers please apply by August 15th
- Regent Park
- Flemingdon Park - Victoria Village
- Eglinton East - Kennedy Park
For more information about the Big Bunch Program,
Contact Jasmine Mascarenhas
(416) 925-8981, ext. 4103