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Paul Henry’s decision to retire from his position as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto’s Chair came after more than a decade of him being on our Board. “I’m about to conclude my fourth 3-year term. So, it’s been almost twelve years since I was first introduced to BBBST.” In those twelve years, Paul has been right alongside the agency helping to reset its long-term strategy, navigating the pandemic, and helping set us up for growth and development. As he is preparing to pass the reins to Board member Mark Harrison, Paul sits down with us to share some of his thoughts and reflections on the past years.

One of the most pleasant and unexpected joys for our BBBST team is when we come across one of our former Bigs or Littles “out in the wild”. Whether it’s during a meeting with a community partner, a corporate sponsor, or a foundation – meeting one of our past mentors or mentees is a heart-warming surprise that reminds us why we work so hard to provide mentoring support to children and youth. One of those former Littles is Marcus, with whom we were fortunate enough to reconnect recently. Marcus, now a podcaster and an Under Armour employee, joined the Big Brother Big Sister Program in his early teens.

In celebration of Black History Month and to mark his appointment as the new Chair of BBBST’s Board of Directors, Mark Harrison joins us for a discussion on the importance and need for Black individuals in roles of corporate leadership and mentorship. In addition to joining the BBBST Board of Directors as a Member at Large in 2018, Mark donates his time and energy to several charitable organisations and initiatives across the country, including the CAMH Foundation, NFL Canada’s Football Development Advisory Committee, and most recently, the Anne Marie D’Amico Foundation which supports survivors of domestic violence.

THE PROVINCE HAS MOVED INTO STEP 2 – MATCHES CAN MEET INDOORS AGAIN Effective today, and only if you feel comfortable, matches are permitted to meet indoors as long as no more than five people are gathering and everyone is able to stay two metres apart during the visit.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto (BBBST) is incredibly proud to announce that one of our very own Littles, Quentin Kozai, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2021 Ted Rogers Scholarship. Quentin has been a Little for eight years, having joined the program when he was nine years old and describes his Big, Monika, as more than just a mentor – she’s an important pillar in his life. Pre-pandemic the two of them loved to watch movies together, talk over food, and see theatre shows through a program at BBBST that provides matches with tickets to events. Since the pandemic started, they’ve stayed connected over video calls or through text, they’ve even watched a few virtual stage shows.

BBBST ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE ARE ON THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF MANY NATIONS INCLUDING THE MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT, THE ANISHNABEG, THE CHIPPEWA, THE HAUDENOSAUNEE AND THE WENDAT PEOPLES AND IS NOW HOME TO MANY DIVERSE FIRST NATIONS, INUIT AND MÉTIS PEOPLES. WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TORONTO IS COVERED BY TREATY 13 WITH THE MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT. Today, June 21st, 2021 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, the 25th anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.