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Mentor programs granted

NANAIMO – Big Brothers Big Sisters receives $25,000 grant from Island Savings.
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Chris Waddell

THREE Island-based Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters won a $25,000 prize in support of in-school mentoring programs.

The Island Savings division of First West Credit Union nominated its long-time community partner for Concentra Financial’s Empowering Your Communities award program. Cowichan Valley, central Vancouver Island and Victoria-based agencies split the first-ever $25,000 prize.

“We believe that mentoring programs enhance a child’s sense of belonging, self-worth and capacity to make healthy choices that will reduce poverty, create safer schools and nurture civic-minded behaviour,” says Chris Waddell, community investment specialist with Island Savings.

Since 2012, Island Savings paid for each chapter’s in-school mentoring work as part of the organization’s Growing Island Families Together program, implemented in 21 elementary schools across the Island. Island Savings staff volunteered more than 500 hours of time in 2015.