President of Big Brothers Big Sisters Does Toronto Proud

Close your eyes and come with me to a place where you are between 6 and 18 years of age. Your parent/s may be alone, overwhelmed or struggling for a variety of reasons. Maybe you are in a family where time, capacity, energy or resources are at a minimum. You may be lonely and wishing you had and adult in your life that was able to shoot some hoops, play a board game or spend the day just hanging out in the park. You may just wish that the focus could be on you if only for a couple of hours a week.

Now open your eyes. You have just been introduced to a committed adult who has decided to devote regular, consistent and predictable time every week to you, to focus on your interests and maybe even expand them. The mentor and friend you have been hoping for has just walked into your life.  A special buddy has been catapulted into your world just to hang out with you. You have a Big Brother or Sister. You feel blessed - and you are.

Cathy Denyer, President of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto (BBBST) is the proud leader of the city's premier non-profit mentoring organization that provides services to over 1450 children and families from diverse social and backgrounds through a variety of volunteer-led programs. According to Cathy, the organization's mission is to improve the lives of children and youth by delivering the highest quality of volunteer based mentoring programs.  

Big brothers and sisters make a one-year commitment to share anywhere from 2 to 4 hours weekly, or every other week with a little or youth. Mentors engage their little sib in some form of activity that interests and inspires them. Partners are matched to create an ideal fit and both win. To echo Cathy who says it best, it is quality time where the child chooses what he or she likes to do and where they get to be the center of attention. Cathy describes an AHA! moment when this simplistic, but powerful concept hit home. While at an agency picnic, Cathy spent a few minutes talking to a precocious little sis. The little sis introduced Cathy to her big sis and said to Cathy impishly, She is MY BIG SISTER, and I am not going to share her, she is mine. It is just that simple. 

The organization has evolved in response to the world's need for change another amazing facet of Cathy's stewardship. According to Cathy, we are constantly reinventing ourselves. We listen to our kids and our volunteers in order to ensure that our practices are reflective of the needs of the community. A new program that is reflective of today's culture is, Go Girls: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds. It offers a strengths based perspective that addresses the needs of girls in today's world and supports and empowers them to be better equipped to make healthy choices.  

As I spoke with Cathy about an organization I knew a little about, I left the conversation overwhelmed by three thoughts. First, Cathy is a leader that walks her talk. BBBST is a family affair in her home, as it is in the homes of all who are involved. Second, I was struck by the immense strength that parents of littles have to recognize there is a void and to move forward to help their children get what they need. And finally, third, that all who participate in the BBBST are so very brave to take the risk of giving and receiving with someone new in their world. They all truly deserve to be honored. 

On June 4th 2009, the 39th annual Big Night Out Gala took place at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex to pay tribute to BIG people who make a difference in the lives of so many children and youth in the community. The extraordinary comedy team of Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath hosted this spectacular extravaganza. The celeb guest list included Olympian Donovan Bailey, Sony Recording Artist Eva Avila, Death Row recording Artist Sean Jones, actress Georgina Reilly, Entertainment Tonight Hosts Cheryl Hickey, Roz Westin, Rosey Edeh, Kim D'Eon, CFL Player Mike Labinjo and award-winning director Peter Raymont. It was a truly a BIG Night. Come on out next year and help honor the little and big people in the community who are working hard to change our world.

By Deborah Mecklinger

Deborah Mecklinger
		About the author:
		Deborah Mecklinger is a Professional Coach as well as an accomplished Lawyer and Master of Social Work. Her extensive professional and personal achievements have fueled her passion and commitment to coach others to achieve and realize their goals. Deborah walks the talk! Deborah is an experienced Mediator and Therapist who is well known for her exceptional work in the areas of divorce, mediation, conflict resolution, and individual, couple and family therapy. Her unique professional skills, multi-disciplined experience and dynamic, energetic personality provide a rare combination of talent often in demand. Deborah is a frequent guest on radio and television programs and is regularly quoted in the media.
	Read More >>