Our Stories
Harvard, Here I Come
When Rafael was just 7 years old, his family moved from the Philippines to Canada. They landed in Edmonton and Rafael started Grade 2 in September at McKee Elementary only knowing a few words of English. He struggled to keep up in class, and his reading and writing skills were understandably well below his grade…
Read More about Harvard, Here I ComeMeet Your Everyday Hero
This story was written by the City of Edmonton. Giving back to the community is something Fadhl, a Transit Peace Officer with Edmonton Transit Service, takes to heart. Born in Syria, he has been living in Canada for 18 years and in our city for just over one year. He remembers what it was like…
Read More about Meet Your Everyday HeroLac La Biche Mentoring
In a small town in northern Alberta, kids are experiencing the value of mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lac La Biche, a satellite office of BGCBigs, has been working to better the lives of children and youth for many years. According to Kristen Shewchuck-White, the local program facilitator, the community of just over…
Read More about Lac La Biche MentoringNational Volunteer Week 2017
Dear Volunteers, Happy National Volunteer Week! We would like to thank each and every one of you for the difference you make in the lives of thousands of children across this community. At Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters (BGCBigs) we so often talk about how mentoring and after-school programs can change a…
Read More about National Volunteer Week 2017Kids Tennis League
Oftentimes, kids who attend our programs don’t have access to a variety of sports. In 2016, thanks to a grant from Tennis Canada, we were able to offer a Kids Tennis League to 70 kids at our McCauley and Tweddle Clubs. The Tennis League Support Program is designed for kids who are older than six.…
Read More about Kids Tennis LeagueTeammates Floor Hockey Camp
The excitement in the air was palpable. It was early in the morning on Saturday, February 18th and we expected our kids to still be struggling to keep their sleepiness at bay. It turns out that if you give them something as unique as a floor hockey camp with a famous former Edmonton Oiler sleep…
Read More about Teammates Floor Hockey CampChristmas Throwback – Local Company’s Spirit of Giving
Custom design firm California Closets has been donating to BGCBigs for the past five years. Jennifer VanTeeling the Sales Manager for the company was a Boys & Girls Club staff member while she was going to university. “When I was looking for work after university and after I left the Club, I still wanted to…
Read More about Christmas Throwback – Local Company’s Spirit of GivingBGCBigs Staff Highlight: Match Facilitators
We spend a lot of time talking about the importance of our 3,000 volunteers, and rightly so. They are the ones on the ground spending time with kids and youth and their families to make a positive difference in our community. We are so proud of each and every volunteer and we truly cherish the…
Read More about BGCBigs Staff Highlight: Match FacilitatorsDream Street Returns – $1.2 Million Grand Prize
Tickets are officially on sale for the Big Brothers Big Sisters 37th Dream Home & Win 50 Lottery! Grand Prize is Your Choice The Big Brothers Big Sisters Dream Home Lottery is back this year thanks to the support of Landrex Inc. and generous folks like you! Three incredible home builders – Alves Development, Romaya Homes,…
Read More about Dream Street Returns – $1.2 Million Grand PrizeAn Eye Opening Opportunity
We just love when volunteers want to share their experiences with us. Below is a testimony from volunteer Stephanie Mah. I was a mentor with EXCEL for about two years while attending the University of Alberta until completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology. During my time there, I worked with several students in grades 3 and…
Read More about An Eye Opening Opportunity