Youth mentoring program suspends operations

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Outaouais announced they would be ceasing all youth services last week.

Djeneba Dosso

On March 19, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Outaouais announced the suspension of all operations. This decision came following the assessment of “the many challenges that lie ahead,” notably the lack of funding to carry out their operations in accordance with national branch’s standards, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada. 

The pandemic and a decrease in donations put the non-profit organization at a disadvantage, pushing them $140,000 in mortgage debt. However, vice-president Benoit Chrétien said it was the loss of an expected contract that put “the nail in the coffin.”

Following the receipt of an emergency grant from the Community Organization Support Program, the youth organization was able to pay off their debts. However, even with the aid of the grant, the repayment came at a steep price. To raise their chances of survival, all active employees, without exception, were laid off. The building from which they operated was put up for sale along with any other assets (trucks, cars, equipment, etc.) and all summer and winter camp projects were cancelled.

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Outaouais’ absence will be felt throughout the community. Arriving in the region in 1983, the organization has maintained its focus on helping children and teens aged six to 17 reach their full potential. The mentoring programs they offer equip youth with better self-esteem and mental health, all within the framework of developing tools for a better future. In 2024, they created 125 mentoring matches with young people, a 32 per cent increase in less than a year. While the success stories are abundant, funding remains a roadblock as the non-profit has hundreds of young people still waiting to be matched to a mentorship program.

President Pierre Deschamps and vice-president Benoit Chrétien have called on local organizations, politicians and the business community for donations in hopes of giving their organization “a second life,” stating, they have a plan but need the funds to execute it.

“We’re going to concentrate our efforts on raising $1.2 million over 3 years,” explains Chrétien. “We will be approaching the public, businesspeople, municipalities and both levels of government.” The hope is for this funding to give the non-profit a chance to restart from the ground up.

While their goal is still far in sight, the community is responding. At the press conference held on March 19, BBL Construction generously donated $50,000 to help the organization reach their target. The construction company’s president Sylvain Bertrand says he hopes this initiative will “solicit the business community.”

“The Big Brothers and Big Sisters makes a difference in the lives of many children and youth in all sectors of the Outaouais, and positively promotes their social and academic involvement,” he added. “We’re proud to get involved. Just think of the long-term effects on the children.”

Vice-president Chrétien, who benefitted from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters services years ago, has hope in the revival of the organization. In the future, he plans on finding “less expensive” headquarters and reducing the organization’s overall expenses. His hope is to begin hiring staff again once the non-profit is equipped with the funds to pay their employees a salary. In the meantime, he advised the community to stay tuned for the launch of their upcoming socio-financing campaign.

“Hear us out and make a difference,” he said.  “Together, we can make a difference for children.”