Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Moncton is seeing growth and momentum only three years after a restructuring which almost led to the closure.
The agency is now thriving thanks to new staff, a new structure and new partnerships.
Associate director Joline Cyr told Moncton City Council this week that 196 youth have been served and matched with adult mentors so far this year.
“It represents a 34 percent increase over the total number of youth served in 2021. So despite the pandemic, we’ve been able to increase our impact.”
Despite this, Cyr said there are still 87 youth on a waiting list.
She added today’s youth are more likely to be exposed to complex issues at home including mental illness, marital problems and physical abuse.
“The likelihood of seeing these complex cases is on the rise. And so these children that are coming to us and checking off all the boxes is much more likely.”
Cyr noted matches are like an intervention as adult mentors create a buffer between the child and their adversities, promoting positive youth development.
