On Thursday, March 28, 2019, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal held its annual Evening of Recognition in downtown Montreal. Guests included mentors, partners, Board members, and three of the organization’s ambassadors – public figures Elisabeth Locas and Alex Bisping, as well as three-time Olympic medallist Marianne St-Gelais.
Each year, our organization wishes to thank the guests of our Evening for their exemplary involvement and long-term commitment to our youth mentoring initiatives. This year, the themes for the Evening revolved around 2 ideas that truly describe what mentoring is: exploration and adventure.
«All the guests honored at our evening contributed greatly, through their involvement with our organization, to the support of BBBS and its growth. You deserve all our admiration and gratitude for your tremendous contribution to what has become of the young people who have been entrusted to us over the years. Indeed, each of you, in your way, has contributed to the development of an extraordinary number of youths, who today are proud of what they have become,» said Maxime Bergeron Laurencelle, Executive Director of BBBSGM.
BBBS is an organization whose mission is to help young people reach their full potential through mentoring services. Over the past year, new projects to complement the organization’s mentoring services revolved around diversity and inclusion were launched, including the creation of two new mentoring programs offering services to Aboriginal and LGBTQ2+ youth.
Ambassador Elisabeth Locas stated last night: «I simply wouldn’t be the same person if I hadn’t had mentors in my life. Both in my personal and professional life. I believe greatly in the exchange, collaboration, and strength of the community. It is with caring and inspiring people, who have accompanied me and some of whom are still part of my journey, that I am better able to understand myself, to weather storms, to become a better person and to realize my dreams. That is why the achievements of Big Brothers Big Sisters are essential to me. Being one of the ambassadors is a great source of pride».
Following the celebrations of the Recognition Evening, Big Brothers Big Sisters is now planning next year’s event to mark the organization’s 45th anniversary.