Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto (BBBST) is really excited to be partnering with Cityfest this year, and we want to extend a BIG thanks to them for inviting us!

Be on the lookout for our booth, where we’ll have our friendly staff available to chat with you about anything and everything, whether you want to learn about volunteering, hosting a fundraising event, making a donation or just exploring all the ways you can get involved with us, in both “BIG” and “Little” ways—it all helps! Stop by our BBBST booth and say “hi” on Saturday, August 23!

BBBST is all about changing lives for the better —not only the lives of Toronto’s children and youth, but also the lives of our volunteer mentors. And we’ve been doing it for over 100 years! 

Through developing and implementing a wide range of high-quality mentoring programs, we’ve grown over the years to meet the ever evolving needs of the city of Toronto. We match children and youth (Littles) with volunteer mentors (Bigs) through one-to-one matching, as well as group programs, based in schools and in the community.

We believe that by changing the course of young lives, we can in turn improve Toronto’s future. Mentoring has the power to change the trajectory of a child’s life, through instilling the importance of staying in school, having respect for family, peers and community, as well as giving back. Each time we pair a child with a mentor or introduce a group of students to an in-school program, we start something incredible—a life-changing relationship built on friendship, trust and empowerment.

For more information about how you can volunteer, attend a BBBST event or donate, visit our website at bbbst.com or call 416-925-8981.

BBBST’s vision is that every child who needs a mentor, has a mentor.

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The Fort York Library opened on May 29, 2014 and is the 99th branch of the Toronto Public Library.  One of the newest additions to the CityPlace community, the library provides a full range of neighbourhood branch services, including Story Times & Family Times, Author Visits, Workshops, and book, music, and video collections .  The library also features a Digital Innovation Hub, which includes spaces designed to give everyone an opportunity to learn, create, and explore new technology in a fun and collaborative environment. Drop by our tent for demonstrations of the tech from the library's Hub, a Story Time (between 4pm-5pm), and keep an eye out for our drone hovering above the all the fun and excitement at Cityfest!

Visit the Fort York Library website.

The award-winning Singing Ambassadors presented by The Waterfront BIA return to celebrate city life at Cityfest! The Ambassadors travel along Toronto's Waterfront offering assistance, directions and recommendations to visitors and help put our community "on the map" throughout the city, being the most unique program of its kind in Toronto. These eight lively ambassadors engage residents and visitors as well as perform impromptu a cappella renditions of classic summer hits on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 11am to 6pm until September 1, ensuring all are assisted and entertained while on the Waterfront this summer. Hear their tunes at Cityfest on August 23rd from 4 pm to 8 pm at Canoe Landing Park! Visit www.waterfrontbia.com for more information.

Join us at the Cityfest to see how you can join the fight to beat cancer! Come visit the Canadian Cancer Society, a volunteer-based health charity that leads in making cancer history. Learn about how you can reduce your risk of cancer and services offered for caregivers and those battling with cancer. Find out about our upcoming events like OktoberFEAST, Cancer is a Drag, Bark for Life and Relay for Life. You can also be involved with the Society as a volunteer and donate or fundraise by joining our FEARLESS CHALLENGE. 

See you at 4:00 pm on August 23rd at Canoe Landing Park!