Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties

Big Brothers began in 1903 when Irvin Westheimer, a Cincinnati, Ohio businessman, befriended a fatherless boy he saw looking for food in a trashcan. Upon discovering the large number of boys from one-parent homes, Mr. Westheimer recruited friends and associates to hlep these boys. In 1909, the first Big Brother agency was incorporated; this agency was "Big Brothers of New York City, Inc". Mr. Westheimer remained actively involved until his death in 1981.

"Big Brothers of Canada" was federally chartered in 1964. The national office is located in Burlington Ontario and provides leadership to new agencies and ensures communication between existing agencies. They continue to provide training, resources and vision to local agencies.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties has been creating friendships since 1974 in Belleville and the surrounding area. We started out matching Big Brothers with Little Brothers and have grown to include a variety of different programs that serve both boys and girls. We are proud of our achievements and continue to strive to be on the leading edge of the Big Brothers Big Sisters movement in Canada.

From its incorporation in Belleville in 1974, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties has endeavoured to offer parent-absent boys and girls quality friendships through its screening of volunteers and attention to matches. In January of 1999 the agency was delighted to assume the service area of Prince Edward County and in 2000 the responsibility of servicing Centre Hastings as well. In 2004 Big Brothers assumed the responsibility of serving girls in our community also.

We are a non-profit charitable organization with a volunteer Board of Directors, who promote and establish the policies of service. The Executive Director is a full time staff person who is responsible to the Board for the effective direction, management, and administration of all activites.

The Agency also consists of staff that is responsible for serving Bigs, Littles and parents including initial interviews, screening, matching and follow-up. The staff is not there to judge, but to reassure and encourage parents, Littles and Bigs. The staff is there to help guide the match and to act, as an intermediary should there be any problems.

The geographic area of our service includes all of Prince Edward County, Belleville and Centre Hastings (Madoc, Marmora, Tweed, Stirling) a population of some 170,000.

Much of the programs success can be attributed to the volunteers who have given their time as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Board Memebers and Volunteers.

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		Big Brothers began in 1903 when Irvin Westheimer, a Cincinnati, Ohio businessman, befriended a fatherless boy he saw looking for food in a trashcan. Upon discovering the large number of boys from one-parent homes, Mr. Westheimer recruited friends and associates to hlep these boys. In 1909, the first Big Brother agency was incorporated; this agency was "Big Brothers of New York City, Inc". Mr. Westheimer remained actively involved until his death in 1981. "Big Brothers of Canada" was federally chartered in 1964. The national office is located in Burlington Ontario and provides leadership to new agencies and ensures communication between existing agencies. They continue to provide training, resources and vision to local agencies. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties has been creating friendships since 1974 in Belleville and the surrounding area. We started out matching Big Brothers with Little Brothers and have grown to include a variety of different programs that serve both boys and girls. We are proud of our achievements and continue to strive to be on the leading edge of the Big Brothers Big Sisters movement in Canada. From its incorporation in Belleville in 1974, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Hastings & Prince Edward Counties has endeavoured to offer parent-absent boys and girls quality friendships through its screening of volunteers and attention to matches. In January of 1999 the agency was delighted to assume the service area of Prince Edward County and in 2000 the responsibility of servicing Centre Hastings as well. In 2004 Big Brothers assumed the responsibility of serving girls in our community also. We are a non-profit charitable organization with a volunteer Board of Directors, who promote and establish the policies of service. The Executive Director is a full time staff person who is responsible to the Board for the effective direction, management, and administration of all activites. The Agency also consists of staff that is responsible for serving Bigs, Littles and parents including initial interviews, screening, matching and follow-up. The staff is not there to judge, but to reassure and encourage parents, Littles and Bigs. The staff is there to help guide the match and to act, as an intermediary should there be any problems. The geographic area of our service includes all of Prince Edward County, Belleville and Centre Hastings (Madoc, Marmora, Tweed, Stirling) a population of some 170,000. Much of the programs success can be attributed to the volunteers who have given their time as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Board Memebers and Volunteers.