A Fraser Valley program that pairs high school students interested in human services with university mentors has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the provincial Ministry of Finance.
The cheque was presented earlier this month by finance minister Michael de Jong to Maureen Berlin, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley.
The Human Service Career Program is a collaboration between the Ministry and Children and Families, Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley.
Students enter the program in Grade 10 where they will begin to study the human condition (psychology, leadership, mentoring, family management., social justice and law).
In Grade 11, the work experience portion of the program will have students learning outside the classroom.
Program mentors are UFV students who act as role models and friends, aiding the teens in developing human service skills.
Mentors train with the students over eight Saturday sessions from September to May) on topics such as human rights, mental health, and leadership. The high schoolers will join the mentor for a day at a university course over the school year.
The program gives the teens a jump-start on their post-secondary life, while the UFV students receive recognition on their co-curricular record.