THUNDER BAY -- Big Brothers Big Sisters is passing its mantle to Our Kids Count after 45 years of operating local programming.
All existing programs including youth mentoring, Traditional Match, Game On, and Go Girls will transfer on Apr.1 and continue under the 20-year-old Our Kids Count brand at their McKenzie Street location.
The Our Kids Count board will expand to accommodate the Big Brothers Big Sisters leadership and allow others within the organization to serve in an advisory capacity.
Big Brothers Big Sisters chairwoman Jennifer Bencharski said the amalgamation wasn't foreseen in her organization's 2016-2019 strategic plan but she's satisfied with the way the organizations will fit together.
"The dissolution as it's going to come out in the next couple of weeks wasn't on our radar for a couple of years. We were looking to partner," she said.
"Just with the logistics of having programming transfer over to Our Kids count, it was easier to do that as a partnership, for them to pick up the membership solely on their own."
Bencharski said funding shortages and an ability to manage overhead costs were major drivers in the decision.
Our Kids Count treasurer Mark Tilbury sees the programs as a perfect fit for his organization. He's preparing to welcome 100 new clients immediately and is looking to grow those programs in the future.
"When we looked at it, it made absolute sense under our service delivery model and it's going to augment our services quite nicely to allow us to service the children and families of Thunder Bay," Tilbury said.
