Youth voices are incredibly important because decisions and policies made today will directly affect their lives in the future. Youth engagement is an intentional and committed process that invites and actively listens to the opinions, feelings and experiences of all youth.
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) have been focused and committed to the needs of young people for over a decade. Through mentorship, BBBS works to provide a safe passage to adulthood. When young people have access to strong committed relationships through mentorship, their stress levels decrease, possibilities expand, and they are more likely to realize their strengths and potential. Our mentees are a BIG deal and are active agents within our mentoring programs, with autonomy and power to direct their mentoring journey.
When young people have access to strong committed relationships through mentorship, their stress levels decrease, possibilities expand, and they are more likely to realize their strengths and potential.
BBBS also amplifies youth voices across our decision-making tables. BBBS is incredibly proud of our National Youth Mentoring Advisory Council (NYMAC) that consists of a body of young Canadians aged 17 to 30 who provide non-partisan advice to BBBS Canada on national programming and public policy issues related to youth mentoring. Specific topics that NYMAC routinely contributes to includes equity, diversity, and inclusion; youth employability; mental health and youth engagement. The vision for NYMAC is that the voice of youth authentically informs the work of BBBS.
Through actively listening and amplifying youth voices, BBBS is positioned to meet the evolving needs of Canadian youth. We believe that all Canadian youth have infinite potential and that their voices, feelings and experiences are a BIG deal!
