In short, the reach of your United Way of Lunenburg County contribution will be felt in virtually every corner of our county, and the benefits will be felt in more households and lives than you can possibly imagine. 

 

Click here to find out more about our funded programs. 

 

 

 

 

Through no fault of their own, some kids may harbour negative feelings about their local law enforcement officers. For any number of reasons and whether their feelings are justified or not, it is irrelevant, the damage is done. Cops are bad and can't be trusted.

 

Of course nothing could be further from the truth. Police officers, like all of us, want a safe and supportive community that we can all be proud of. Engaging and interacting in a positive manner with kids in their formative years is crucial to breaking this cycle of distrust. South Shore Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) in partnership with the Town of Bridgewater Police Services and the local RCMP, with funding provided by the United Way of Lunenburg County and in-kind services provided by the local business community have created a hugely successful 5 day summer day camp program called "Kids and Kops." This free camp is open to children who are currently in a BBBS program like "In School Mentoring" or a traditional big brother, big sister adult/child match or are on a waiting list for these great programs.

 

This intensive summer day camp experience provides local at-risk kids and local law enforcement officers with the opportunity to interact, learn, share and experience a wide variety of activities related to law enforcement, recreation and adventure. Crime scene investigation, mock trials as well as trips to the beach and Keji are just some of the many activities that Kids and Kops experience up close and together. After nervous first day jitters, followed by an action packed week, the camp ends with a graduation ceremony where Kops are friends and on a first name basis. Many of the kids express a keen interest on becoming police officers themselves. One of the organizers, Constable Will Creamer, School Liaison Officer, says that the program gives him a legitimate "In" with the kids at schools. "That's not a cop, that's my buddy Will," is a phrase that he hears often. What is also telling is the number of local kids who have never been to the beach, Lunenburg, Keji or on a boat. "It breaks my heart" says BBBS Executive Director Sandra Murray.

 

If you know of a child who could benefit from Big Brothers Big Sisters programming like Kids and Kops, please call them at 543-4435.

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It's tough being a kid today, even tougher being a girl, particularly a preteen girl. The many mixed messages projected by our modern society and the media today are confusing, unrealistic and in many cases less than positive. If you're impressionable or lack the family or social supports to interpret these messages the results may become overwhelming and in some cases destructive.

 

Second Story Women's Centre, with funding provided by the United Way of Lunenburg County, is offering a free, four day summer day camp experience for girls 9 - 12 who might need guidance as they take steps toward entering womanhood.

 

These camps will provide the opportunity for girls to enhance their communication, decision-making and relationship skills. In addition the goal is to assist them in becoming more confident in themselves and to empower them to become more involved in their schools and communities. Leadership skills will be promoted as a way to feel connected to others and to have the ability to contribute to the whole community. Two well-trained facilitators will supervise this program. Parents from previous sessions have said the following about the program: "These topics are present in everyday life. Sometimes children think parents are 'preaching' to them. They are more open to hearing it from other people." "She can be shy therefore easy to be bullied, or maybe I am just a worried mother." The daughters said the following when asked what they liked most about the Girl Talk experience: "The leaders, the discussions and meeting people." "The crafts and games." "Getting outside for lunch." "Making new friends."Six summer day camps will be available to girls in the following communities: Lunenburg, Bridgewater (2 sessions), Chester (2 sessions) and New Germany. For further information please call 630-3044.

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