Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George will again offer its group programs after financial problems forced the agency to halt them in the fall.
The organization is also rehiring for a mentoring coordinator position, one of the three positions laid off in August to help address a $35,000 debt. It will start accepting applicants to its four core programs - Team Up, Game On, Go Girls and Girls' Club - in the next couple of weeks.
"We're not fully out of the woods yet but there's definitely the light at the end of tunnel," said executive director Tim Bennett.
"We had to make some very difficult decisions regarding staffing, regarding cutting budgets across the board. We ran a really tight budget for the last half of last year."
After The Citizen reported in August on the agency's financial woes, the community's response was overwhelming, he said.
"The community really stepped up and rallied behind us and I think for that we're forever grateful," said Bennett, adding most of its bills have been paid off. "As long as we can continue to meet our funding targets, we'll be able to get through 2017 in a position that we'll get back to our traditional service level in regards to the number of children we serve."
The non-profit ended 2015 with a $60,000 deficit, which created the $35,000 debt in 2016, Bennett said. That was compounded by a late arrival of its 2015 B.C. Gaming Grant.
BBBS has already received its gaming grant this year, which offers some relief.
And he said the nonprofit has since developed better foundations through a new child care program in Blackburn and new vans purchased with the help of five community partners in the fall.
This year will still be tight, he said, but BBBS will focus on rebuilding.
"We as an agency have looked really hard at what we're doing, finding efficiencies and ensuring everything that we're doing is mission-driven."
First, it will focus on re-opening intakes for youth participants and interested volunteers for its four core programs.
"Once those are up and running we'll be able to look at various different pilots that we have run and what sessions we're going to run in what order," said Bennett.
The financial shortfall meant it couldn't continue with Strong Youth, Fearless Women, a pilot program targeting teen girls that had its first run just before summer.
In the next couple of weeks, the agency will start putting out information about registration and recruitment for both kids and volunteers.
But anyone interested can call the office at 250-563-7410 to put their name on a contact list.
