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Big Sisters began matching girls with a Big Sister in Edmonton in 1972. Big Brothers started in Edmonton in 1980. The two organizations merged in 1990, and have grown from serving under 100 children in 1990, to serving 2700 children in 2008. Our goal is to serve 5000 children by 2013. Our two "traditional" matching programs have grown to ten programs today, meeting the diverse needs of children in the communities we serve.

In the summer of 2000 a newly-formed international association "Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine" purchased the former Girls' School in Molochansk as the focus of a program of Mennonite humanitarian assistance in southern Ukraine. We shared the expectations of Molochansk Mayor Alexandra Saenko, who, in negotiations for the privatization & purchase of the building, said: "I know Mennonites quite well. I think that the Centre offers our devastated people hope. Perhaps the school will become a 'light on a hill'. We are eager to work with you". Since the USSR collapse, Ukraine has been passing through a harsh subsistence, health & economic crisis which continues. At risk are seniors and children. Food, medical, & social assistance initiatives were begun in 2001, followed by educational programs. We have partnered with local government, hospitals, orphanages & schools to offer help & hope to Ukrainians in tangible ways, regardless of gender, ethnic background or religion.

RISC is dedicated to promoting the safety of freelance journalists in combat zones. We provide first aid training to freelance journalists working in all media - photography, print and broadcast - to mitigate the many threats they face to their physical security while on the job. Our name reflects our hope that freelance reporters trained in first aid will be able to treat not only their own wounds in the field, but also those of their colleagues, until they are able to reach professional medical care. It is our goal to make first aid training and preparedness an industry norm, like having a flak jacket and helmet, for freelance journalists working in combat zones.

At Alternatives for Women we provide non-judgemental, supportive counselling from a femininst perspective. We advocate on behalf of women and children and we provide public education about the issuses that concern women who have experienced domestic violence. All of our counselling services are free and confidential.