65 Years of Mentorship: A Year of Impact at Big Sisters

This past year marked a meaningful milestone for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland — 65 years of mentorship, connection, and believing in the potential of girls and gender-diverse youth.

In 2024–2025, we supported 574 girls and gender-diverse youth through five core mentorship programs, made possible by the dedication of our volunteers, donors, partners, and staff. Through one-to-one and group mentoring, young people built confidence, strengthened academic skills, and developed a deeper sense of belonging — powerful reminders that consistent, caring relationships change lives.

One story that captures this impact is Haleluya’s. Before joining our Study Buddy program, Haleluya struggled academically and felt unsure of herself in school. With the support of her mentor, Cara, she built strong study habits, regained confidence, and eventually earned a place in the Honours English program. Beyond academics, mentorship gave her the space to explore her creativity, find her voice through music, and begin shaping her own story. As Haleluya shared, “When I met Cara, I felt supported in a way I hadn’t before.”

This year was also one of momentum and vision. We continued advancing plans for BC’s first dedicated Mentorship Hub, while expanding programs to better meet the evolving needs of youth across the Lower Mainland. With more than 35,000 volunteer hours and a 33% increase in new volunteer applications, our community showed up in powerful ways.

As a donor-supported organization, transparency and impact remain at the heart of our work. Over two-thirds of our funding went directly into programs, ensuring mentorship remains accessible, inclusive, and transformative, while continued investment in our people and systems supports long-term sustainability.

Every connection made this year was possible because of a shared belief: when young people feel seen, supported, and valued, they can thrive.

🎥 Click here to watch our Haleluya’s story.

We invite you to explore our 2024–2025 Annual Report to read more stories, see the impact, and learn how together, we are unleashing potential — one mentoring relationship at a time.