Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Breton

In May of 1978, a group of four social workers from the county of Cape Breton did a study on voluntary services provided in the community. They researched all aspects where volunteers might be used and came to the conclusion:

“ ... single parent incidents in this area, where a mother is

caring for her son, in a father-absent home is higher at

this time, per capita than in larger metro areas in the

province.”

This small group of four became the core of a 13-member steering committee for Big Brothers of CapeBretonCounty. The organization became a provincial member of Big Brothers of Canada on November 30, 1978. On February 2, 1987 Big Brothers of CapeBretonCounty became Big Brothers/Big Sisters of CapeBretonCounty. In February 2009 the name was officially changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Breton.

Under a Canada Works Project an executive director, a public relations officer, a caseworker and a secretary were hired. This project expired in October 1979. Since that time there have been four executive directors. The fourth executive director is Francine Hall. Francine has been with this agency 20 years as of 2008.

Historically, Big Brothers Big Sisters of CapeBreton originally received some funding from the United Way and Community Services.

Throughout the years, funding has changed and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Breton raises approximately 85% of its budget through fundraising campaigns, approximately 15% of the annual budget is received from the Department of Community Services.

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	In May of 1978, a group of four social workers from the county of Cape Breton did a study on voluntary services provided in the community. They researched all aspects where volunteers might be used and came to the conclusion: “ ... single parent incidents in this area, where a mother is caring for her son, in a father-absent home is higher at this time, per capita than in larger metro areas in the province.” This small group of four became the core of a 13-member steering committee for Big Brothers of CapeBretonCounty. The organization became a provincial member of Big Brothers of Canada on November 30, 1978. On February 2, 1987 Big Brothers of CapeBretonCounty became Big Brothers/Big Sisters of CapeBretonCounty. In February 2009 the name was officially changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Breton. Under a Canada Works Project an executive director, a public relations officer, a caseworker and a secretary were hired. This project expired in October 1979. Since that time there have been four executive directors. The fourth executive director is Francine Hall. Francine has been with this agency 20 years as of 2008. Historically, Big Brothers Big Sisters of CapeBreton originally received some funding from the United Way and Community Services. Throughout the years, funding has changed and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Breton raises approximately 85% of its budget through fundraising campaigns, approximately 15% of the annual budget is received from the Department of Community Services.