Making a difference in the world is what many people strive to accomplish in their lives.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ponoka have been making a world of a difference in the lives of young people everyday for 20 years.
Traceyann Braithwaite is looking forward to celebrating being in the community and the successes of the program.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have been here for 20 years,” said Braithwaite. “We’re pretty excited to be celebrating this accomplishment.”
The program has been active in the schools and the community in making a difference in the lives of young people by providing a friend and mentor where one is needed.
The celebrations kick off with a barbecue at the Ponoka Fire Hall on Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Sept. 20 BBBS has a whole day of activities planned. They are hosting a family swim from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Ponoka Aquaplex and a barbecue from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and cake cutting.
Beth Reitz, executive director, is looking forward to the events and many more years of a thriving BBBS. She hopes that the program will continue to grow and would love to see at least five new mentors start in September.
“We are excited to be celebrating our 20th anniversary this September,” said Reitz. “Hundreds of lives have been touched through this program in the last 20 years and we want to celebrate as a community the positive impact Ponoka Big Brothers Big Sisters has had on Ponoka.”
BBBS will also possibly be releasing 20 balloons at the beginning of September at the Town Hall.
Braithwaite has been an active leader in the program for three years and has seen firsthand the outcomes and benefits of BBBS in Ponoka.
“It helps our community,” she said. “It’s really just about having someone to talk to, but it can change a child forever.”
The program currently has 26 matches and there is always room for more.
Braithwaite believes that the program is valuable in the community and encourages members of the town to think about becoming a role model for a child.
“We are always looking for mentors and we have so many mentees,” she said. “We want to increase our mentoring programs, that’s number 1 goal. We always have kids on the waiting list that are waiting for mentors. We want every child on that list to have a mentor.”
The program benefits not only the kids that are being mentored, says Braithwaite, but makes a difference in the lives of the mentors as well. “Our mentors find it difficult to put into words but they all say that it’s amazing what they get back from the mentoring experience,” she said. “The majority of mentors stay mentoring, unless they move away. It says a lot for the program.”
For Braithwaite, the highlight of being involved with BBBS is the children and the support and quality of the network of people active with the program.
“It’s the kids, our mentors and giving back to the community,” she said. “It really helps out the kids. We have a great bunch of people here and a lot of support.”
For more information contact the Ponoka Big Brothers Big Sisters at 403-783-3112.