Jeff Burch, Jennie Stevens and Wayne Gates call for reversal of cut to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara has been around for over 85 years, providing vital guidance and support to many of the most vulnerable young people in our communities. We need to invest in this incredible support system for our children – not take it away when the demand for services is increasing,” – Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch
A News Release from the New Democratic Party of Ontario
Posted August 29th, 2024 on Niagara At Large
From left, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens
NIAGARA, Ontario – Niagara NDP MPPs issued a joint letter (https://mcusercontent.com/353019c4e982ae7eb8ea53150/files/1b0bdede-29d9-f670-0f46-7cd48669cb88/Letter_to_Minister_Dunlop_BBBS_Niagara.pdf) calling for the reversal of a one per cent funding cut to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Niagara, and an expansion of funding to support programming for vulnerable children in Niagara.
“So many young people are helped by what Big Brothers Big Sisters Niagara brings to our community”, said MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls).
“Their mentorship leads to better attendance in school, positive health outcomes, and to these young people being happier and more confident. I can’t imagine a more important investment than that. We are calling on Minister Dunlop to do the right thing, reverse the cut, and increase funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters across Ontario.”
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara has been a cornerstone of support for vulnerable youth in our community,” said MPP Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines). “Even a one per cent reduction will significantly impact the success rates we’re seeing when youth participate in programming. Investing in our youth is not just a moral obligation; it’s a necessity for the Niagara region.”
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara has been around for over 85 years, providing vital guidance and support to many of the most vulnerable young people in our communities,” said MPP Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre. “We need to invest in this incredible support system for our children – not take it away when the demand for services is increasing.”
Nearly 10,000 youth across Ontario received support from Big Brothers Big Sisters last year across Ontario. Youth who receive mentoring have 80 per cent better attendance at school, are 46 per cent less likely to abuse substances, 17 per cent more likely to be gainfully employed, and 96 per cent of those mentored reported being happy.
QUOTES
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara supported nearly 1000 vulnerable children and youth last year across all twelve Niagara municipalities through our life-changing mentoring programs. Only 7 per cent of the annual funding required to offer safe no-cost mentoring supports comes from the Ontario Government. An investment in Big Brothers Big Sisters will have a direct impact on the lives and academic outcomes of children and youth who need support the most in our community.” – Erin Graybiel, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara
“The Niagara Catholic District School Board values its long-standing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara. Niagara Catholic students have benefited from the opportunity to participate in the BBBS In-School Mentoring program with their volunteer mentors in Niagara Catholic schools. We are pleased to continue this program with BBBS in the 2024-2025 school year.” – Lee Ann Forsyth-Sells, Superintendent of Education, Niagara Catholic District School Board
A Brief Comment on this Issue from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large –
What a bloody disgrace this is. And yes, ‘Shame, Shame, Shame!’
And why? Just to save one per cent on a budget for a community service organization that probably isn’t all that large in the first place?
This is a group that relies on volunteers, For God’s Sake!
Doug Draper at work in the newsroom, back in the days when there still were newsrooms. file photo
Ontario’s Conservative Premier Doug Ford has just recently spent millions more of the money he taxes us creating the biggest cabinet in the province’s history – placing members of his party in newly manufactured cabinet positions that seem totally redundant or don’t make any sense. (I shouldn’t give him any ideas, but I could see him creating a cabinet post for collecting belly button lint or pulling the wings off flies next.).
Yet here is he and his Conservative Party hacks nickel and diming a time-honoured service like Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Ford claims to be concerned about people who grow into adulthood hooked on drugs or sleeping in the streets, then he cuts funding for a service that provides young people in need of adult stewardship to help them fulfill their potential and become productive citizens.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Come next election, we have got to throw Ford and his flock of sheep out of power.
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Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
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