Story Credit: Halifax Regional Police – APB Newsletter – January February 2018 Edition
WHAT IF EVERY CHILD’S POTENTIAL WAS FULFILLED? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax (BBBSGH) inspires and empowers youth to realize their full potential. The organization pairs youth who face adversity with one-toone mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
In June of last year, D/Cst. Corey Bergman started volunteering with BBBSGH as a Big Brother. He was paired with Zach, a 15-year-old boy from Dartmouth. The two get together for a few hours each week. Their activities range from attending the Air Show Atlantic 2017 or a Halifax Mooseheads hockey game (Zach’s first ever hockey game) to setting Zach up with his first bank account to touring the new CID building.
In the summer, D/Cst. Bergman taught Zach how to mow lawns, and let him borrow his own lawn mower. From there, Zach worked throughout the summer months mowing lawns. He subsequently earned enough money to buy his own phone! Currently, the two are building a wooden boat. D/Cst. Bergman has built boats before, and Zach enjoys building, fixing and working with his hands, so it’s the perfect project for the pair. They hope to have the boat ready for the summer so they can go fishing again.
Zach is also starting to plan ahead. D/Cst. Bergman helped him create a resume to pursue his first job. He helped Zach join the Air Cadets where he went gliding in Greenwood and shoots at the range each week. He has also started Ground School to work towards getting his pilot’s license so he can fly D/Cst. Bergman’s plane. Zach is gaining invaluable life skills, improving his confidence and experiencing opportunities that he would not have had without a little guidance and moral support.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE If you’re interested in making a difference in a child’s life and becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister, BBBSGH is always looking for volunteers. As an officer, especially, you have a unique opportunity to connect youth with police in our communities. These relationships can help build stronger bonds between law enforcement and the families who we serve. HRP believes in BBBSGH’s mission and will support your interest in the program. For more information, please contact Cst. Amit Parasram, Diversity Equity Officer, 902-229-2055 or parasra@halifax.ca
“The program might be designed to help the Littles, but the rewards I’ve experienced far outweighs anything I expected.” – D/Cst. Corey Bergman (in photo, with Little Brother Zach)