Best Buy and Big Brothers Big Sisters Head to the Classroom With A New
In-School Teen Mentors Program

New program matches teens with elementary school children to share experiences, develop life skills and succeed together

TORONTO, June 21 /CNW/ - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada announces support from long-time partner Best Buy Canada to develop a new Teen Mentors Program set to take place in schools across the country.

Through its Best Buy for Kids program, Best Buy Canada donated $50,000 to develop a national program that is already showing great promise in select communities across the country. The new Teen Mentors Program takes a unique approach by having teens aged 15-17 become mentors for children in elementary school. Teen mentors will act as role models for the children in the program, helping them with their homework while developing a friendship with the younger students. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada's Teen Mentors Program is a natural fit for Best Buy for Kids, developing life and leadership skills in the teen mentors while helping the elementary school children succeed and reach their full potential.

"This program arrives at a critical time for children in Canada" says Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. "It will allow us to provide much needed mentorship to children across the country. Our teen "Bigs" will play a valuable guiding role to their "Littles", while also developing their own skill set as volunteers."

Some Big Brothers Big Sisters local agencies have already experienced the positive results of matching teen role models with children, and currently offer a variation of the In-School Teen Mentors Program in schools. With the funding from Best Buy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada will expand this program across the country, reaching over 600 students.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is Canada's leading child and youth serving organization, providing mentoring programs in more than 1,000 communities across the country. Over 130 local Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies now provide service to more than 27,000 Canadian children and youth.

About Best Buy Canada:

Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC - based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc (NYSE: BBY). Best Buy is Canada's fastest-growing retailer and e-tailer (www.BestBuy.ca) of consumer electronics, computers and entertainment products and also operates Geek Squad (www.GeekSquad.ca), a technology service provider specializing in computer support in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Best Buy offers consumers a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) sales environment. The Company is committed to kids and its local communities and has a comprehensive community relations program at www.BestBuy.ca/community.

For further information: Media Contacts, Garner Beckett, Manager, Development, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, PH: 905-639-0461 x.27, [email protected]; Sarah Penz, Community Relations Manager, Best Buy Canada, 604-412-1024, Toll free: 1-800-263-9133 x27, [email protected]