ATB Financial presented $1,000 to Beth Reitz of the Ponoka & Recreational District Big Brothers Big Sisters on April 10. The funds will be used to assist the organization with their vision “Every child that needs a mentor will have a mentor” through the Teen Mentoring and Big Brother Big Sisters program.
The Teen Mentoring is a new program to the organization and is offered in cooperation with Alberta Education and Alberta Mentoring Partnership.
“This unique and valuable program provides high school students with the opportunity to mentor younger students at the elementary school, while receiving high school credit for their involvement,” Reitz says.
Currently, the agency is working in conjunction with Ponoka Secondary Campus and Ponoka Elementary School. It is considered to be a positive program for the community as it assists in bridging the gap between generations and creates respect between children and youth.