January is National Mentoring Month
#Mentoring Matters
From January 1–31, 2023 help spread the word about the true power of mentoring. Mentoring Matters and changes lives.
BBBS families across Canada are facing a number of adversities:
60% of Mentees are experiencing social isolation
72% of Mentee live with parental separation or divorce
35% of Mentees are involved with Child Welfare Services
33% of Mentees are close to someone with a substance abuse problem
61% of Mentees are close to someone who is experiencing a mental illness
33% of Mentees are close to someone with who has experienced incarceration
61% of Mentees experience bullying or bullies’ others
43% of Mentees are exposed to violence in the home, neighbourhood, or their school
47% of Mentees experienced the death or terminal illness of someone close to them
3% of Mentees arrived in Canada with refugee status
48% of Mentees are exposed to financial stress
33% of Mentees are exposed to a vulnerable employment standard
46% of Mentees are coping or recovering from a mental health illness
*Results from BBBSC Needs Registry. Based on the Children Served total for 2021 (20,413) 1934 NR records were completed. After removing ‘Blanks’ and ‘Did Not Disclose /Unclear’ there are 1608 records completed which provides us a national sample size of 8% of Mentees served across the Network in 2021.
On average, 78% of BBBS youth face 3 or more adversities in their daily life. Adversities experienced in childhood can have a negative impact on social-emotional development and other kinds of learning, making it harder for children to achieve goals, get along with others, regulate emotions, and do well in school. In response, health experts are emphasizing the importance of strong, responsive relationships to buffer toxic stress and childhood adversities, protecting and promoting positive health outcomes for young people.
Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies focus on building consistent, committed relationships for mentees. Through Developmental Relationship Surveys, provided by the Search Institute, Mentees reported experiencing the following elements of a Developmental Relationship:
Based on the Children Served total for 2021, 20,413, the completed surveys provide us a sample size of 13% of Mentees served across the Network in 2021.
Research underscores that just one positive adult can dramatically improve outcomes for children living with adversities. Consistent and supportive relationships have been proven to stimulate brain development, promote physical health and foster resiliency, reducing health disparities and re-writing a young person’s future.