Let’s celebrate
what we’ve started
Annual Report 2013 - 2014
our message
Big Brothers Big Sisters is approaching 45 years of service in Winnipeg. We started
as two independent agencies, one serving boys and one serving girls, working
with limited financial or human resources, and little history or research to draw
upon for guidance. Much has changed since the winter of 1969/70. What hasn’t
changed is our commitment to finding good people to become great mentors
and our conviction that for so many of our children, mentoring works.
Nathan is a youth who has grown positively into himself thanks to a mentor. He
and Mark have been matched for just over 3 years. There was a bit of nervousness
at the start; they needed to get to know each other, build comfort and trust,
and develop a relationship through common interests. Nathan wasn’t sure
having a mentor was cool. Mark wasn’t sure he was having an influence. Their
caseworker kept encouraging them, guiding and supporting them along the
way. Things started changing after their first year anniversary. Mark was feeling
more confident in his role as a friend, seeking opportunities to engage positively
with Nathan, recognizing he wasn’t there to ‘fix’ him, but support him. Nathan
responded to the positive interactions and started opening up to Mark; sharing
his thoughts, his aspirations… his story. Nathan has now entered high school with
confidence, poised to be an active participant, and feeling self-assured he can
succeed and make good decisions as a teenager.
Nathan is just one child who benefitted from a mentor in his life. This year, we
helped Nathan and 659 other children. And we couldn’t have done any of it
without an amazing group of volunteers.
It is the richness of our volunteers that enables so many of our successes. Each one
of our 481 volunteers enhances our capacity to be creative and responsive to the
needs of our community. And when we see the faces of the children we support
when they see their mentor, we know our agency and its volunteers are truly
starting something in Winnipeg that can’t be stopped.
A special mention goes to the incredible agency staff. Their commitment to
mentoring is constantly evidenced by their ability to navigate on-going changes,
their passionate quest for excellence in service delivery and their unwavering
support of our volunteers, families and supporters.
Let us all celebrate what has been started here and dedicate ourselves to
continuing the vision.
____________________________
Ian Coupland, President
___________________________
Greg Unger, Executive Director
volunteering
Our volunteers give their time and energy in a way that makes a lasting
impression for a young person. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg is always
seeking volunteers who are ready to make a difference for the kids in our
community, and we are always inspired by the commitment they make. Our
volunteers are creating a foundation for a lifelong friendship. When asked
what they think of the experience, the volunteers often talk of how much it
means to them to spend time hanging out and having fun. They are very special
volunteers, and without them we would not be able to help the over 600 kids
we help every year!
This year, we asked our Littles to tell us a few words about their Bigs. The
response was amazing and here are a few things they shared with us:
My Big has helped…
to figure out things in life I wouldn’t have learned without him.
to have someone to talk to about anything.
me release my anger.
Our parents say…
I firmly believe that she has helped my daughter make positive
decisions about her future and her actions.
He has seen, or can identify, that there is a much better life out there;
dreams can come true.
When I explain to family and friends or colleagues about the Big
Brothers Big Sisters program I do it with great pride. And when I
talk about his Big Brother, I am truly full of emotions; I get teary and
have to pinch myself as it feels like a dream, it has been so great.
Thank you for being you and for being part of my son’s and my life;
for everything.
When asked why someone should consider becoming a volunteer, our
Littles and their parents said…
so kids can learn from their mentor and possibly carry on the mentoring
when they become adults.
So kids can have more fun.
So kids can have much more positive life experiences.
Because it’s really fun and you get to meet cool kids!
And last but certainly not least, when we asked our kids what they
wanted to tell their mentors, an overwhelming majority of them
wanted us to say these things…
…that I look forward to it all the time.
…that you’ve supported and helped me, and I appreciate it.
…that you’re awesome.
…that I love you.
sharing impact
We measure reach through research on best practices and outcomes. We produce
the mathematics of evidence through percentages of change. These scores, like
a successful BBBSC Accreditation, are important to our demonstration of quality
programs, but to really get at the heart of what is happening inside two people
as they generate a relationship requires a story. The impact of statistics ensures
we are on the right path, but stories of what we’ve started remind us of what
is possible.
This year we were granted an exceptional opportunity to hear one story, and
participate in the match reunion of one of Winnipeg’s first matches. The match
had lasted eighteen months, but what
it started didn’t stop. “I never stopped
missing her for the forty years we
were apart,” Sheryl says. During their
powerful reunion and rekindling of
their friendship this year, Sheryl was
asked how reliable Louise was back
then. “She never missed a week. I don’t
remember her ever disappointing me.”
The heartbeat of their time together was
constant. What does this reliability do?
In Sheryl’s words she felt, “unconditional
love.” An unquantifiable gift.
“I could tell her anything and the look in her eyes never changed. I never felt
worried about what she would think. I just felt accepted by her. I’m sure I was
the naughtiest little kid in Winnipeg, but she never made me feel like that.”
Now, Sheryl is a caring, giving person and proud mother and grandmother.
She appreciates the power of belief. “Louise taught me that.” Louise looks at
Sheryl with a soft, warm smile as she hears these words. They touch hands. The
room emits a feeling of total presence and true belonging. Louise says, “It’s
overwhelming when I hear it now, because I had no idea.”
These stories provide much insight as they relay a theme where ordinary life
moments become extraordinary when they are shared with a mentor. We make
each new match with the confidence of experience and the hope of what we
know is possible; thanks to stories like these.
our programs
Vision: A Mentor for Every Child.
Mission: To provide mentors for friendship, support and guidance.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg provides caring adult mentors for children
and youth in our community who face adversity. We provide one-to-one mentors
in two key ways: community based matches (our traditional Big Brother and Big
Sister program) and site-based (our In-School Mentoring program). We provide
one-to-one mentors for the Ototema program (youth who are involved in the
Justice system) and in the M.A.P. (Mentoring Adolescent Parents) program,
which provides support for pregnant or parenting teens. Our group mentoring
programs include our Youth In-School program (groups of one-to-one mentors
between a High School and an Elementary school) and the Big Buddy program
which provides match outings for kids on our wait list. This year we made our
first match in the Building Futures program, designed to support youth as they
transition out of the child welfare system.
Studies show that in long and strong relationships, our mentoring services
help kids stay in school, avoid risky behaviour, and experience first-hand the
importance of helping others in their community.
Your support, though donations of time or money, allows us to match children
with mentors that are screened, matched and continuously monitored by our
agency. We believe the healthy development of every child is enhanced by
positive, nurturing mentoring relationships. The results can be life-changing;
helping children in need or at risk to develop into confident, caring adults and
contributing members of society.
Thank you for helping us to start something in our community today that could
lead to incredible outcomes in the future.
starting something
481
(volunteers) participated in
our program – that is more
than
36,000 hours spent
with the kids in our program.
We partnered with
32 Elementary and
High Schools in Winnipeg
and the surrounding area.
Total Number of Children
Served in Mentoring Programs
660
700
620
500
300
253
265
157
167
174 192
100
36
36
0
Community
Based Programs
School Based
Programs
2012-2013
Group Based
Programs
Vision Focused
Mentoring
Partnerships
2013-2014
Total Number of
Children Served
fundraising
RBC Bowl for Kids Sake is our largest annual fundraiser and we continued to
partner with RBC to bring this event to our supporters. Teams of five raised
pledges and on the day of the event came out to bowl together and participate
in different competitions. Corporate teams, individuals and families all came
out this year and raised $50,000! We were thrilled to see so many teams ‘Rock
and Bowl’ and support mentorship in the community.
The Big Deal Auction, a male focused online auction, was held in December
and we were thrilled with the response! We had 12 amazing prizes for people
to bid on. Each package was exciting and unique to our auction. Over $12,000
was raised and we created a lot of awareness for the need for Big Brothers.
The Golden Girl Gala Presented by Terracon Development was held for the
third consecutive year and raised over $23,000. Directed towards little girls and
the adult women in their life, it was focused on sharing time together and
dressing up in their princess best. This continues to be a popular event with
many returning attendees year after year!
The Barley Infused Gala was also a returning favourite! This second time event
saw a dramatic increase in attendees. The word is now out that this premium
beer tasting dinner cannot be missed. Over 130 people came out to enjoy
a beer tasting event that was top notch. Held at a new venue, the Niakwa
Country Club, each course was planned by their amazing Chef and paired by the
expertise of a Pru D’Homme.
Big Smiles Collection Crew celebrated the seventh year of our fundraising
partnership with Value Village. With new bin locations in the city and a
number of corporate clothing drives to support our collection, this program
continues to grow! Gently used household goods and clothing are collected
year round and all funds generated from this operation helps support our
matches of mentors and youth.
The Big Tow program, a partnership with Associated Auto Auction, allows
you to donate your vehicle to be auctioned off on our behalf. A tax receipt is
given for the amount the car is sold at and net proceeds are directed to our
programs. What a great way to drive mentorship in our community!
A number of Third Party Events took place over the last year in support of our
organization. We can’t thank these companies enough for taking the time
and effort to raise awareness and much needed funds for Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Winnipeg.
Canadian Western Bank “Greater Interest GIC“
Garth Campbell “Sailing for BBBS“
HR-MAM “ADP Golf Tournament Hole“
Ikea “Holiday Tree Partnership“
Invesco Professional Development Day
Len French “French Open Golf Tournament“
Piston Ring “Calendar Fundraiser“
Tri One Events “Industry Dodge Ball Challenge“
University of Manitoba “Great Big Adventure Class Assignment“
funders
City of Winnipeg
George Waters Fund
Graham C. Lount Family Foundation
Healthy Child Manitoba
In Memory of Peter D. Curry
Jewish Foundation of Manitoba
Manitoba Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs
Manitoba Justice
RBC Foundation
Recreation Connections MB Inc.
The Chandler Family Giving Back Fund
The Winnipeg Foundation
The Winnipeg Foundation - Youth In Philanthropy
United Way of Winnipeg
Winnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundation
Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation
donors
Visionaries
James A. Richardson
Leaders
Terracon Development Ltd.
Champions
All Charities Campaign
Canadian Western Bank
Great West Life Assurance Co.
IKEA Canada Limited Partnership
Investors Group
Pitblado LLP
Royal Direct - Charities Committee
Sleeman Breweries
Willem Smit
Tapastry by Amici
Veron Consultants Inc.
Walmart Canada Corp.
Wawanesa Insurance
Michael Wrightson
Friends
Bailey, R. B.
Berkis, K.
Campbell, G.
Dame, J.
Geller, B.
Jilmark Construction Ltd
Kinnear, S.
LeBlanc, N.
Levin, D.
Lyons, E.
Manore, P.
National Leasing Group Inc.
Omichinski, L. M.
Papagiannopoulos, C.
Papagiannopoulos, N.
Pelech, A. & P.
Piston Ring
RBC Royal Bank
Real Canadian Superstore
Ross, T.
Smith, A. & A.
Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship
The Keg Restaurants Winnipeg
Thank You
Abas, A.
Adams, O.
Alewyn Petrus Vorster Medical Corp.
Alkier, A.
Alkier, M.
Allbutt Mining Supplies Ltd.
Allbutt, T.
Allen, K.
Allum, E.
Ambulance Attendants Fund
Andrews, G.
Aphelion International Inc.
Askarifar Medical Corporation
Bahrami, T.
Banks, B. & J.
Barich, P.
Baumstark, P.
Baun, W.
Beaudry, A. & L.
Bennett, P.
Berkowitz, M.
Boni, J.
Bourgeois, D.
Brewer, S.
Brodeur, T.
Bromilow, B.
Bruneau, M.
Buchel, T.
Burak, A.J.
Campbell, M.
Carson, T.
Carte International Inc.
Central Chiropractic Centre
Chantal Tie Ten Queue
Chisholm Cattle Company
Christie, D.
Chriton, K.
Colins-Nakai, R.
Cope, M.
Cram, R.
Cross-Baron, D.
Crosstown Civic Credit Union
De Luca’s Specialty Foods
Depres, G.
Depres, R.
Dominion Drywall Ltd
Dougan, C.
Dr. Lisa Bonang Inc
Dr. Martina Lacerte Medical Corp
Dyck, L. & W.
Estate of Joyce McCausland
Evoluir Hair Salon Limited
Fair, S.
Fardoe, K.
Farguson, E.
Farm-Rite Plumbing &
Excavating Ltd
Ferris, T.
Flam, M.
Franzmann, J.
French, L.
French, N.
Friesen, C.
Friesen, N.
Futros, S. D.
Galbraith, B.
Gange, Goodman & French
Gilfix, V.
Gilmore, D.
Gobeil, M.
Golbey, M.
Grande, F.
Grenier, D.
Grenon, J.
Guthrie, W.
Gutierrez, C
Halden, K.
thank you
Halden, Y.
Hales, B.
Halvorsen, M.
Hanson, G.
Harder, J.
Hendin, M.
Higdon, K.
Hill, W.
Hilroy, J.
Hocaluk, M.
Hoey, D.
Hudek, H.
Ignacio, M.
Investors Group Matching
Gift Program
Jacon Inc.
Jamieson, R.
Jaure, D.
Johnson, D.
Jones, I.
Kaisaris, D.
Kenroc Building Materials
Kent, W.
King, S.
Klassen, A.
Klassen, D.
Klassen, K.
Knox, D.
Kong, A.
Kowalchuk, R.
Krentz, B.
Lambrechts, H.
Laudien, H.
Lavallee, M.
Leduc, Y.
Les Missionnaires Oblates
Les.net
Levi, C.
Lewis, M.
Logan, B.
Lusty, B.
Lusty, P.
MacAulay, K.
MacKay, B.
MacLellan, K.
Makodanski, K.
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Public Insurance Employee Fundraising
Mark, L.
Marr, G.
Marshall, B.
Martens, A.
Martens-Barnes, C.
Martin, R. & D.
Martina, L.
Marucs, M.
Maxted, J.
Maycher, S.
McGregor, C.
McKenzie, D.
McKenzie, G.
McKenzie, M. & B.
McMillan, S.
Meyer, D.
Middleton, R.
Milne, T.
Mitchell, G.
Molinski, D.
Moore, D.
Muir, J.
Olfert, B.
Ouellet, R.
Owen, B.
Partyka, Dr. J.
Patal, S.
Pauls, P.
Pedersen, G.
Penman, L. & S.
Penner, D.
Petrick, D.
Pleskach, S.
Porth, B.
Preteau, L.
Pruden, V.
Pura, V.
RainyDay Software
Raynor, E. & K.
Read, P.
Roberts, D.
Ross, J.
Samuels, B.
Schachter, J.
Schamber, R.
Schmidt, C.
Schroeder, H.
Seibel, K.
Shack, B.
Sharma, L.
Shead, G.
Shilcharan, J.
Smith, C.
Smith, H.
Solvera Solutions
South-Man Engineering
Speer, M.
Stanley, E.
Steele, C.
Stobbe, K.
Suva, M. & R.
Telus Corporation
Thomson, D.
Thurston, A.
Toews, M.
Tsuji, M.
Turner, B.
Tweel, J.
Unger, G.
Veosovich, A.
Veosovich, G.
Wahl, F.
Werry, D.
White, P.
Wiebe, C.
Woods, G.
Yip, E.
Zeiler, F.
Zimmerman, N.
dollars and cents
Financials
MARCH 31, 2014
MARCH 31, 2013
MARCH 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position
Assets:
Cash and investments
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and Inventory
Capital assets
460,541
56,844
11,739
13,724
371,034
76,954
8,077
21,320
385,820
66,675
9,551
1,456
542,848
477,385
463,502
257,858
7,224
277,766
283,885
2,945
190,555
160,012
1,456
302,034
542,848
477,385
463,502
YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 2014
YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 2013
YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, 2012
299,736
257,237
292,359
612,428
13,690
263,900
249,794
330,579
582,342
6,125
247,700
249,696
295,343
630,893
2,531
1,475,450
1,432,740
1,426,163
75,127
144,913
45,587
444,235
17,821
656,277
76,209
177,578
49,570
418,486
8,219
812,668
84,484
151,448
28,941
420,938
7,595
671,902
1,383,960
1,542,730
1,365,308
91,490
(109,990)
60,855
Liabilities and Fund Balances:
Accounts payable and deferred contributions
Invested in capital assets
Appropriated funds
Statement of Operations
Revenue:
Government program funding
United Way of Winnipeg
Fundraising & other revenue
Big Smiles Collection Crew
Amortization of capital assets & deferred contributions
Expenses:
Direct program costs
Central operating expenses
Fundraising expenses
Big Smiles Collection Crew
Amortization of capital assets & deferred contributions
Staff salaries & benefits
Difference between
revenue and expenses
This financial information has been extracted from the Annual Financial Statements reported
on by our auditing firm Scarrow & Donald, LLP, Chartered Accountants. A complete copy of our
audited Financial Statements is available upon request.
board of directors
President/Chair
Ian Coupland
Treasurer Stephen McMillan
Secretary Justin Hogue
Past President
Brenda Martinussen
Members At Large:
Zahrah Ali
Dr. Asim Ashique
Tricia Bailey Sauvé
Kennedy Campbell
Corinne Chisholm
Steven Hunter
Brad Madison
Jewel Reimer
The Board of Directors exists to direct, control and inspire the organization
through the careful establishment of the organizational values and written
policies. This includes identifying the desired performance goals, making
specific contributions that lead the organization toward the desired
performance and ensuring that the goals are attained.
In addition, the Board of Directors identifies and nurtures the strategic
relationships required to strengthen Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg and
is accountable as a body to its stakeholders for the competent, conscientious
and effective accomplishment of its obligations.
765 Portage Avenue | Winnipeg, MB R3G 0N2
PH: (204) 988-9200 | FAX: (204) 988-9208
Email: main@bigwinnipeg.com | www.bigwinnipeg.com