Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton temporarily pauses intakes due to shortages

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton (BBBS-KLH) announces a temporary pause in accepting new children and youth applications due to a critical shortage of volunteers and funding. This decision, effective immediately, is a response to the organization’s current capacity challenges that impact its ability to match new mentees with mentors.
BBBS-KLH has long been dedicated to empowering local youth through one-to-one mentorship, fostering positive relationships, and supporting personal growth. However, the recent surge in demand for its programs, coupled with a decrease in available resources, has necessitated this pause to ensure the quality and sustainability of its existing programs.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s ongoing support and deeply committed to continuing our mission,” said Janice Balfour, Executive Director of BBBS-KLH. “This decision was not made lightly, but it is crucial to ensure that we can provide the best possible support to the young people already in our programs. By temporarily pausing new intakes, we can focus on strengthening our existing initiatives and work diligently to secure additional funding and volunteers.”
Volunteer and Funding Needs
The organization is actively seeking new volunteers to join its network of mentors. There are currently 40 youth waiting for a mentor. Volunteers play a pivotal role in the success of BBBS-KLH’s programs, and the need for dedicated individuals is greater than ever. Additionally, BBBS-KLH is focusing on fundraising to boost its financial resources and sustain its operations. Bowl for Kids Sake will be taking place on October 26, 2024 at Strike Point Bowling Centre in Lindsay, Ontario.
Community members who are interested in volunteering or supporting the organization financially are encouraged to visit the BBBS-KLH website or contact the office directly for more information on how to get involved.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one relationships to ignite the biggest possible futures for youth in our community. Through mentoring programs, BBBS-KLH provides guidance, encouragement, and positive role models to help children reach their full potential.
For more information, please visit kawarthalakes.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or contact Janice Balfour, executive director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kawartha Lakes – Haliburton by telephone at (705)-324-6800, or by email at