The history of Big Brothers of South Georgian Bay
begins with John Pennock. As
principal of Stayner Collegiate Institute, he frequently dealt with young men
who clearly would have benefited from association with a mature male role model.
Consequently, in 1969, John wrote, as a concerned citizen, to Frank
Fogwell at Big Brothers of Canada. He
was encouraged to contact the Orillia Big Brother Agency.
After several meetings in Orillia, John was joined by other staff members
from SCI to help get the local association off the ground.
Shortly after, Gerry Cockerill, on behalf of the
Rotary Club, joined John and the others and a constitution similar to
Orillia’s was struck…Nottawasaga Big Brothers was created!
The old King George School was the first home to the
Big Brother office. John Pennock
remembers getting together with staff to freshen up the location with paint and
paper. The first caseworkers were
volunteers; teachers with experience in high school guidance work.
In 1972 the role of caseworker became a paid position.
Funding of course was the next challenge for the
founding group. In the beginning,
John Pennock spoke to the service clubs and from these contacts would receive
donations of twenty to thirty dollars. They
were granted membership in the United Appeal in May of 1971.
John fondly recalls learning by trial and error in
his efforts to establish a viable community service.
He came quickly to realize that good intentions were not enough for some
people to follow through with their commitments. However, all the trials were well worth the time and energy
given by these community-minded individuals as they saw their dream of a Big
Brothers organization become a reality.
On March 1, 1982 the Big Brothers of Collingwood and
District was legally incorporated. In
1994, to give a clearer definition of the area being served, Trillium funding
was obtained to change the name to Big Brothers of South Georgian Bay.
From 1981 to 1984 the agency was staffed by part-time
caseworkers, Anne Allison followed by Helen Milden.
In 1984 Helen Milden was appointed as Executive Director for the agency.
She was followed by Rosemary Holzendorf as Executive Director who was in
turn followed by Cathy Koenig in 1990. In
1993 a second person, Jill Miller was hired to help run the agency and
consequently staffing increased to the equivalent of one full time person.
In 1995 the agency moved into a new location and remained there happily
for 5 years.
1995 was also our 25th anniversary and
this was celebrated by a gala event. 1997
saw the formation of a satellite office in Wasaga Beach which was staffed by
Judy Gagne’ at 5 hours per week.
In 1999 ten year Executive Director Cathy Koenig
resigned and the position was assumed by Jill Miller.
During the following year Judy Gagne’ assumed the role of Agency
Caseworker as Jill concentrated on the role of Executive Director and primary
fund raiser for the agency. In June
2000 two further staff people were hired, Debbie Kesheshian to service the
Wasaga Beach area (this office was officially opened in September 2000) as
Development Co-ordinator. Molly
Orvis was hired to develop the Big Bunch Program for the agency.
Those additions brought the agency to the equivalent of two full-time
people.
On July 2001 after eight years (three years) at the helm of the
organization, Jill Miller resigned to pursue her interests in competitive
weightlifting full time. Jill’s
dedication to the Big Brother organization has been exemplary and she will be
missed. Debbie Kesheshian assumed
the role of Executive Director. In
July 2001 Doreen Hoatson was hired as Office Assistant (on contract from HRDC)
until March, 2002. Jacob Hogg a co-op
student (on contract for 1 semester) was hired to help develop web-site design
and various other computer functions.