Mentoring: A Review of the Literature 

The Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (the Centre) has collaborated with Alberta’s Promise to produce a review of the literature on mentoring, one aspect of the promise of providing Caring Adults to children and youth. Alberta’s Promise wants to ensure that its work is based on the best available evidence.
“One of the most important factors in developing youth resilience is having a relationship with a caring adult (The Learning Partnership, 2009). Positive relationships with these adults help to act as a protective factor for youth (Scrine et al., 2012).”
Click herefor the full review.

Public Input Sought for Early Development Policy Framework

The Government of Alberta is asking for public input into creating a comprehensive approach on early childhood development.
What services do young children need most? How well do existing programs and services work in your community? What are the best strategies to reduce child poverty in Alberta?
You are invited to respond to these and other important questions through surveys and community conversations over the summer and early fall months.
Learn more by clicking here:

Mentors don’t have to be superhuman, but they can feel like it!

We celebrate and join with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ponoka and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area this month as they proudly wear their bright red t-shirts with the AMP slogan, “Mentors don’t have to be superhuman, but they can feel like it!”
Ponoka Stampede
“Salute to Big Brothers Big Sisters Centennial” was selected as the theme for the Ponoka Stamped Parade, which occurred on June 28, 2013. Ponoka is the home of Canada’s largest professional rodeo, as well as the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. “Our selection as the parade theme is a very significant achievement and will result in several opportunities throughout the entire week of the Ponoka Stampede for promotion of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the value and benefits of mentoring” shared a representative of BBBS of Ponoka. Thousands of rodeo contestants, officials, stock contractors, rodeo fans and media representing communities across Canada and the United States descended on Ponoka for this week of celebration. “When the dust has settled after the last performance and all the cowboys and cowgirls have gone home with their prize money and buckles, it will be the children and youth in our communities who are the biggest winners of all. As a result of this joint venture, it will help us ensure that every child who needs a mentor has a mentor” shared the representative of BBBS of Ponoka.
Congratulations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ponoka!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
On July 21, 2013, Big Brothers Big Sisters serving High River held the first of many summer activities for children and youth impacted by the flooding. With the support of MPN Electrical, they took over 20 kids to an Okotoks baseball game and enjoyed burgers, hotdogs, and the game together.
Congratulations, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area (serving High River)!

Save the Date for the 2014 U.S. National Mentoring Summit

The fourth annual U.S. National Mentoring Summit will be January 30 and 31, 2014, in Arlington, VA, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott.
The National Mentoring Summit founded and convened by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership is an event for the mentoring field that brings together top researchers, policy makers, practitioners, the network of Mentoring Partnerships, corporate partners and many other U.S. national youth-serving organizations. Host committee members include the Harvard School of Public Health, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the United Way Worldwide and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Registration begins on August 15, 2013
Click below for more details: