Elizabeth Snider, Queer Connections Lanark, Deputy Chief Chris Kettle, Smiths Falls Police; MPP John Jordan; Andrew Lynch, board chair BBBSLC; Sarah Jane Manning, project coordinator BBBSLC; Sean Keogan, Community Service Officer, Smiths Falls Police; Jennifer Miller, Executive Director BBBSLC; Angier Beaupre, Resource Development Manager BBBSLC, and Smiths Falls Police Chief Jodi Empey. Submitted photo.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County is getting a major boost to expand mentorship programs for local youth.
A $180,300 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow grant was formally recognized with a cheque presentation on Oct. 6.
The funding will support culturally relevant programming for Black, Indigenous and racialized youth, with a goal of reaching about 140 children and youth over the next two years.
Part of the money will help expand PROUD — People Recognizing Our Unique Differences — a seven-week group mentorship program focused on confidence, individuality, acceptance, empathy, friendship and self-care.
The grant will also support additional training for staff and volunteers.
Executive Director Jennifer Miller says the organization plans to spend time learning from Indigenous community leaders and the communities it hopes to better serve before deciding how programming should grow.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County has been connecting young people with volunteer mentors for more than 50 years, tracing its local roots back to Carleton Place in 1973.
