Big Brothers Big Sisters of Williams Lake has been granted accreditation, having successfully met the review standards outlined by the national governing body, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC).
“This accreditation program is critical as we move forward in our efforts to reach and support more children,” Bruce MacDonald, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada said Tuesday in making the announcement. “The program provides Big Brothers and Sisters of Williams Lake with the information and assurance they need to know that they are doing a good job and that they are doing the right things.”
He said the national strategic plan has outlined an ambitious goal of serving 100,000 children by 2013 and the accreditation program has a direct and positive impact towards achieving that strategic goal.
Big Brothers and Sisters has been serving the community of Williams Lake for 29 years. It is committed to serving children and youth by providing them with quality mentoring relationships with volunteers.
The Williams Lake branch is currently serving 112 children.
Each agency within the BBBSC organization is accredited every five years. Agencies also participate in a mid-term evaluation as an interim measure ensuring adherence to national standards.
“The process for accreditation is involved. However, I was confident going into it that the board and staff were carefully following the standards set out by BBBS of Canada, and in many cases exceeding these standards.” says lakecity executive director Lorraine Levitt.
As a measure to continually ensure maximum child safety and the pursuit of organizational excellence Big Brothers Big Sisters introduced a review process for its member agencies more than 25 years ago and has most recently evolved this process into the national accreditation program.
The national accreditation program is conducted by professionally trained reviewers who must complete accreditation training given by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. The accreditation certificate is granted upon approval of agency practices in the areas of child safety, service delivery, and organizational excellence. Organizational excellence includes a consultative process with agency volunteers, parents and board members, assurance of sound fiscal management practices, and agency strategic planning.