At Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), we are pleased to officially announce our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto through Big Steps to Success – a mentorship program designed to improve the educational outcomes for 7 to 14-year-old children and youth in the care of our Agency.
Big Steps to Success is a five-year mentorship initiative funded by BMO and the Government of Ontario. The program is co-developed by the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. By connecting young people in care with a trusted and trained adult mentor, the anticipated benefits for children and youth include:
- Improving educational outcomes at the primary and secondary school levels leading to higher rates of high school graduation
- Strengthening school engagement, connection to the classroom and academic motivation
Through Big Steps to Success, mentees will meet with their mentors in their school, home or community and participate in a variety of activities including:
- Attending cultural celebrations
- Heading out for a meal
- Finishing homework
- Playing sports
- Attending games, concerts and events
- Learning new skills
Our aim is to connect every mentee with a mentor who reflects and shares similar background, identities and experiences. We encourage members of our communities to learn more about becoming a volunteer mentor here and/or apply here to have a meaningful impact on the lives of children and youth in care. A positive and caring mentor can empower young people and help build their confidence and self-worth to reach their full potential now and into their future.