Two volunteer mentors were matched with
the girls, spending years providing support
and encouragement. One sister went on
to complete her post-secondary education
at the graduate level, eventually taking on
a role in one of the BBBSC member agen-
cies in Alberta. The other sister is a prac-
tising pediatrician in Edmonton, Coleridge
said.
“That success is incredible. I had the op-
portunity to meet the mother and talk to
her about our programs and she was ada-
mant that, without the support of our orga-
nization and the volunteer adult mentors
for her daughters, neither young woman
would have achieved what they’ve each
achieved today.”
There are many stories like these, and each
reaffirms the crucial role the non-profit or-
ganization has played in shaping Canada’s
youth, and the future. It also sums up the
reason why Coleridge joined BBBSC just
over a year ago, after a diverse career spent
working to improve the health and social
outcomes of Canadians. “That’s the power
of youth mentoring. It comes full circle. It’s
transforming young lives and you see the
ripple effect into adulthood and then you
think about that ripple effect as adults from
a health and social outcomes perspective.
It’s profound; it’s transformational.”
SERVING MORE THAN
1,300 COMMUNITIES
At the heart of the organization is the belief
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FEBRUARY 2017