Big Brothers Big Sisters photo source magbloom
The United Way of Peel Region’s Black Community Advisory Council (BCAC) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, are working together to assist at-risk youth. BCAC chair, Sophia Brown Ramsay said the new mentorship program is needed in an area where Blacks were 8.3% of the population in 2006 and 16.6% were visible minorities. The program will match Black children from Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon with adults that “look like them”. BCAC addresses community concerns such as youth unemployment (18.8% in 2010), violence and poverty (estimated that one in five live in poverty).
United Way of Peel funds agencies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. It has 471 young people registered, a large percentage of whom identify themselves as Caribbean, African and/or Black. There is a waiting list of kids who need mentors. Volunteers are needed. Interested people from the Black community can apply through Big Brothers Big Sisters website – www.bbbspeel.com. The United Way of Peel has set a fund raising goal of $12.8 million. To donate call: 905.602.3650 or visit www.unitedwaypeel.org
