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Success Story…
Big Brothers and Big Sisters Mentorships at Riverside Community School
In Prince Albert Saskatchewan, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization joined with Riverside Community School in a Day Mentorship Program. This was a new program which invited community individuals, and business and agency employees to come into the school to mentor young people who were referred to the program by the school staff in conjunction with the students’ families. The mentors were given time off from work to come into the school during the day to spend time with the students. Together they talked, played games, created crafts and other connecting type activities. The mentors incorporated the HOPE themes into their discussions and activities with the students thus providing an opportunity to model the themes for the students. This also allowed another avenue for the students to practice the attitudes encouraged in the HOPE program.
Another aspect of the HOPE program is the Community Component in which the larger community is invited to take part in the HOPE projects. There are many community and youth serving agencies as well as businesses that are natural partners for the HOPE program. These agencies can be invited into schools and community Youth HOPE Chapters to bring their expertise and resources to the program. They can also promote the HOPE themes through their own organization.
In order to keep the community updated on the HOPE themes older students, staff or Family HOPE Committee members may submit a monthly column for the local newspaper, outlining the current theme.
Although each community is unique, there are some provincial and national organizations that may be found in most communities. Some possible partner community organizations include:
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4-H Club |
Arts Councils |
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Association For Community Living |
Big Brothers / Big Sisters |
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Cadets |
Church youth groups |
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Community Centres |
CWL |
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Elks |
Humane Society |
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Kinsmen Club |
Knights of Columbus |
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Lions Club |
Local Girl Guides Association |
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Masonic Lodge |
Metis and Friendship Centres |
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Nursery Schools and Daycares |
Red Cross |
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Regional Library |
Royal Canadian Legion |
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Salvation Army |
Scouting Association |
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Toastmasters |
United Way |
Supported Websites:
- http://sk.finditincanada.ca/app/data/Social+Service+Organizations.html
- http://findabusiness.yellowpages.ca/mp/SK
- http://www.nps.gov/phso/rtcatoolbox/dec_goalsetting.htm
Community Based Youth HOPE Chapter
The Prince Albert Youth Activity Centre has agreed to host the city’s first non-school affiliated HOPE Youth Chapter. The Youth Activity Centre serves youth aged 12 to 19. The mandate of the centre is: to “work together with youth to provide a safe environment for youth in Prince Albert; to encourage youth to make choices that improve their quality of life; and to help them reach their full potential.” With this mandate, it is easy to see that the Youth HOPE Chapter will be a natural fit to this youth serving organization. The HOPE themes will be displayed on their billboards and encouraged throughout each month, much as they would be in participating schools and families.
Community Activities Yearly Planning Grid