We’ve all had a mentor.

Here’s an easy way to acknowledge them. Doesn’t cost a cent, just a minute of your time.

We all have a special someone who’s made a difference in our lives. Parents, teachers, coaches, sisters, brothers, friends, the list goes on. Most of us wish we could thank them but it never seems to be the right time or the right place. Until now.

The Big Shout Out is an initiative that acknowledges and celebrates mentors across Canada. It’s all a part of the 100th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada in 2013.

While it’s a wonderful organization, this campaign is not meant to promote Big Brothers Big Sisters but rather the broader theme of mentorship.

What You Can Do. Help build shout outs all across the country! We’d simply like you to tell us about your mentor at thebigshoutout.ca, or tweet your Big Shout Out using #thebigshoutout, which will automatically appear on the twitter feed on the website thebigshoutout.ca. The messaging is up to you. The angle is up to you. The tone is up to you. You can tell us about whomever you want; however you want. And don’t forget to encourage your family, friends, colleagues, and followers to give their own shout outs, too.

Take a minute to celebrate someone who made a difference in your life. It's easy. Why not give a BIG SHOUT OUT today?

A little about us…

We’re Big Brothers Big Sisters.

We believe every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, both as individuals and citizens and by doing so, they will not only do well, they will also do good.

We believe that by changing the course of young lives we can in turn be changing the course of a community’s future. That it could lead to a reduction in poverty and unemployment, to safer schools and neighborhoods and to a renewed optimism for growth.

We believe that opening a child’s eyes to what is – opens their mind to what could be.

For one hundred years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been making a positive difference in the lives of our nation’s youth by developing and implementing a wide range of mentoring programs including One-to-one and group programs for both in school and outside of school. (See link to mentoring programs below)

Serving as role models, our mentors teach by example the importance of giving and giving back, of staying in school, and of having respect for family, peers and community. Each time we pair a child with a mentor or introduce a group of students to an in-school program, we start something incredible – a life-changing relationship built on friendship, trust and empowerment.

Currently, over 33,000 children are matched with volunteers in our mentoring programs.

We’re Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we believe in the value and values of mentoring.

If you are thinking about becoming a mentor, call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada at 1-800-263-9133.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Programs-
http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/en/home/mentoringprograms/default.aspx

*January 15th, 2013 marked the 100th anniversary for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. On that day we released the largest mentoring study ever done in Canada. For full details-
http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/en/home/newsevents/100yearcelebrationStudy.aspx

*On February 5th, 2013 Big Brothers Big Sister released a national survey on bullying with detailed key findings. For full details-
http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/en/home/newsevents/canadianswantactionfromlegislatorsand educatorstost.aspx