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OUR PROVINCE HAS MOVED INTO STEP 1 OF THE THREE-STEP PROCESS TO REOPEN – IN-PERSON MATCH VISITS ARE ALLOWED. Matches are allowed to meet in person as long as you remain outdoors, keep two metres apart, and wear a mask when keeping two meters apart is not possible. Unfortunately, this means no riding in cars together.

Young people have been deeply affected by COVID-19 restrictions and youth mentorship offers the support they need to manage the current situation, and mitigate the effects of it for years to come. The effects felt due to the closure of schools and the social isolation in children and youth in Toronto who face adversity highlights the importance of a placing a Big in their lives. Research shows that placing a caring adult in the life of a child has the power to mitigate toxic stress,* which is caused by adverse experiences such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

This past December, Guitars for Kids Toronto donated 22 guitar set ups to BBBST’s Littles, providing them with a musical outlet during the pandemic. At a time when youth are recognized as one of the most negatively affected populations by lockdown restrictions, music can give young people a positive outlet. Playing a musical instrument can reduce stress, increase happiness, and help youth process emotions.

Today, we celebrate The English Tutor, a vital partner to BBBST during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Through their online classroom, the English Tutor teachers have provided BBBST Littles with free english lessons and educational opportunities throughout the pandemic. We sat down with the English Tutor teachers, Sam and Julie, to discuss the importance of reading and the role it plays in the development of children and youth.

At BBBST, we work directly with young women in order to help them develop their confidence, life skills, and increase their odds of a successful future through our life-changing mentorship programs. We sat down with Alicia Harris, a Big in our community based 1-to-1 mentorship program, to talk about the importance of being an adult female role model to her Little, Tamia.

This international Women’s Day the theme is “choose to challenge,” because from challenge comes change and in this case greater opportunity for women in the future. BBBST’s Girls Empowerment! Program is working to challenge young women through education and support in order to help them develop the necessary skills to thrive later in life. The program features a gender-specific curriculum for girls and those who identify.