National Volunteer Week 2026 Spotlight: Alumni Committee Volunteers Continuing to Make an Impact
This National Volunteer Week is especially meaningful as it also marks the first anniversary of the Alumni Committee at Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. Over the past year, this group of current and former mentors has continued to stay connected to our mission in a new way, showing that the impact of mentorship does not end when a formal match does.
National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize the many ways volunteers contribute to stronger, more connected communities. At Big Sisters, we are continually inspired by the commitment of volunteers who continue to support youth, whether through direct mentoring or through ongoing community engagement.
Our Alumni Committee offers a flexible way for volunteers to stay involved, especially for those who may no longer have the capacity for 1:1 or group mentoring but still feel deeply connected to our work. As Marley, Volunteer and Community Engagement Lead, shares:
“We kept hearing from volunteers who loved their experience and wanted to stay involved, even if they couldn’t mentor in the same capacity anymore. The Alumni Committee creates space for that continued connection.”
Through the committee, volunteers support recruitment, share their mentoring experiences at volunteer fairs, help spread awareness in their communities, and connect us with networks that strengthen our programs. It is a space built on storytelling, connection, and continued care for youth in our community.
Staying Connected Through Every Stage
For many Alumni Committee members, joining was a natural continuation of their mentoring journey.
Lara has been part of Big Sisters since 2016, first as a Study Buddy mentor, then as a Big Sister in 2018, and most recently joining the Alumni Committee last year.
“There is a huge demand for mentors and it breaks my heart that there are children waiting to be matched with a Big Sister,” she shares. “Recruiting dedicated mentors is essential to the organization’s success and I wanted to contribute to this important work as a member of the Alumni Committee.”
For Lara, mentorship has always been about care and encouragement. “For me, mentorship is about providing unwavering support and encouragement. A devoted mentor uplifts their mentee and strives to help them grow into the best and happiest version of themselves.”
Finding Flexible Ways to Give Back
Emma also joined the Alumni Committee after several years of volunteering as a mentor and tutor. While she loved her time in direct mentorship, she eventually needed a more flexible way to stay involved.
“I loved volunteering with Big Sisters in both mentorship and tutoring, but eventually I couldn’t make the time commitment work for the programs,” she shares. “When this opportunity came up, I loved the idea that it would fit in better with my life while still allowing me to give back to an organization I’m passionate about.”
For Emma, mentorship is about impact in many forms. “Helping, inspiring, guiding and exemplifying to others how they can be the best versions of themselves.”
A Community That Continues to Grow
The Alumni Committee shows that mentorship does not end when a formal match concludes. It evolves. Volunteers continue to support youth by helping recruit new mentors, sharing their experiences, and strengthening the broader network that makes mentoring possible.
This ongoing involvement ensures that more young people can access the support they need, while also creating space for volunteers to stay connected in meaningful, sustainable ways.
Celebrating Volunteers This National Volunteer Week
This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the Alumni Committee and all of our volunteers who continue to show up for youth in different ways, through every stage of their journey with Big Sisters.
Their continued involvement helps sustain our programs, strengthen our community, and ensure that more young people have access to mentorship.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or exploring other ways to support our work, learn more at Become a Volunteer Mentor – Big Sisters or contact us at info@bigsisters.bc.ca