OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to an article about the wait list at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia and District, published March 14.
While reading the article, we both were extremely impressed with this initiative that Georgian College has started to help Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS).
In 2017, Marlee was employed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle (BBBSGT). Throughout her time there, she worked on marketing and program planning for ‘bigs’ and ‘littles.’ Finding ‘big brothers’ had always been a problem for BBBSGT and the organization struggled to find a solution. So, to read that Georgian College has started this initiative to help with a long-term problem is incredibly endearing.
As we both have experiences and connections with Georgian College, with Ashley having family who are alumni and Marlee being alumni, it is extra close to our hearts to read this article. There are many children who would, and do, benefit from the mentoring that BBBS offers. This program gives them the opportunity to create strong and healthy relationships with people whom they can look up to.
Both big brothers and big sisters are incredibly important to the program. Currently, there is a lack of big brothers entering the program, which does not allow for little brothers to receive the mentorship they deserve. Both little sisters and little brothers should have access to this opportunity as the benefits are significant.
We commend both BBBS and Georgian College for this initiative and hope for more progression and success in finding big brothers for the mentoring program.
Ashley Ferreira-Lopes
Innisfil
Marlee Robinson
Muskoka
