Big Brothers Big Sisters Oxford receives $67,800 OTF grant for Teen Literacy Program

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Oxford’s Teen Literacy program launched after receiving a monetary boost from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The organization was given $67,800 from the foundation’s seed grant to launch a pilot project of the Teen Literacy Program. BBBS Oxford announced on Sept. 25 that Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman met with members of the organization to celebrate. The Teen Literacy program connects students in Grades 1 through 6 with their high school student mentors for weekly one-on-one support sessions regarding literacy, numeracy, and study skills.

“Every young person deserves to feel connected, capable, and valued. Through mentoring, we see teens step into leadership roles and younger students rediscover a love of learning,” executive director Kristen Ralph said to the Echo. “The support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation ensures that these connections continue to grow, sparking confidence, curiosity, and community pride that lasts far beyond the classroom.”

The funding allowed the pilot project to run in three Oxford County schools and supports training, evaluation, materials, and caseworker supervision. The high school students receive leadership training and continuous guidance from professional caseworkers.

“Our evaluations consistently show that mentees build confidence, resilience, and a stronger commitment to school, while teen mentors gain leadership experience, empathy, and a sense of purpose,” Ralph said. “These are not short-term benefits, they’re investments in the mental health, educational success, and civic engagement of our youth. Without sustained funding, opportunities for mentorship and skill-building would be limited for many students who need this kind of positive, consistent support to reach their full potential.”

There were 19 mentors and 20 mentees during the 2024/2025 school year, when the Teen Literacy program pilot project was launched. There are 19 mentors and mentees matched for the 2025/2026 school year so far, with more applications for both positions coming in.

Anyone looking for more information about the Teen Literacy program can either call 519-537-6404 or visit the BBBS Oxford website www.bbbsoxford.ca.