December 14, 2009

Dear Friend of Big Brothers Big Sisters:

We want to inform you, as a valued supporter of our agency, that we are actively exploring the option of merger with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kitchener-Waterloo and Area. Our intent is to better serve the youth in our region.

In the fall of 2009 we began looking at building a new kind of partnership to do more with the resources entrusted to us by our communities. As mentoring organizations, we have similar missions, visions and values, and have worked together collaboratively for the past ten years on a variety of programs. We believe there are more ways to effectively work together – by sharing of resources, collaborating in new ways to enhance delivery of programs and services, or combining our efforts to enable us to speak with one voice across the region.

With the support of a recent Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant, a facilitator has been engaged to guide the steering committee (consisting of members of both organizations’ board of directors and executive directors) through the process. The committee is meeting on a regular basis and as discussions continue, we will provide you with updates.

We take our responsibility to our clients, volunteers, funders, business associates, staff and community partners very seriously. Therefore, the committee’s priority is to act in the best interests of both organizations ensuring that all are treated with fairness and equity during this time.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Julie Phillips, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cambridge at 519-624-7655; or Gert Hartmann, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kitchener-Waterloo and Area at 519-579-5150 ext. 216.

Sincerely,

Julie Phillips, Executive Director
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cambridge

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