Our History
Big Brothers of Hanover began in February 1972 as an offshoot of Walkerton Big Brothers. Shortly after, Walkerton Big Brothers ceased operation. The Hanover organization served Walkerton until 1992, when it became too difficult to recruit any new volunteers from that area.
Big Sisters of South Grey was formed in 1975 and provided services for girls in the Hanover, Durham, and surrounding region.
During the 1980’s, Big Brothers of Hanover and Big Sisters of South Grey began to co-operate in fund-raising endeavours. In 1984, Big Sisters of South Grey requested formal amalgamation. This occurred in 1985 after each organization passed a motion at their respective annual meetings. It was not until December 1994 that we obtained legal incorporation as Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hanover.
We had a part-time Case Worker on staff for the past ten years, with our expanded area. A full time Case Worker was hired in January 2003. It is the Case Worker's responsibility to interview prospective 'Bigs' and 'Littles' and make Match recommendations.
In June 2000 we obtained our first office located at 286B 10th Street, Hanover. Until this time we had been holding regular meetings at John Diefenbaker Secondary School, and when necessary, in Board Members homes.
A new In-School Mentoring program was implemented in the fall of 2000 commencing with the hiring of an In-School Mentoring Coordinator and Office Administrator. Mentors started in Holy Family School and Dawnview Public School in January 2001, and at James A. Magee Public School later in the spring.
In 2001 the In-School Mentoring program was expanded to Normanby Community School in Ayton with Mentors starting in September 2001. Early in 2002 the program expanded to the Walkerton area schools with 5 Mentors at Brant Central.
November 2001 we announced our successful Ontario Trillium Foundation grant funding. This funding, $59,000 over three years, will allow us to expand our services to much of the Saugeen area including the former townships of Glenelg, Egremont, Bentick, Normanby, Brant and Carrick as well as the Municipalities of Hanover, Walkerton, Mildmay, Ayton, Neustadt and Durham.
Now in 2010 we serve more than 100 children in our programs and our In School Mentoring Program has expanded to serve 9 schools.
We look forward to bringing our services to as many children as possible and hope that the communities in these areas will support us.