Volunteer Spotlight: Tina, Study Buddy Mentor
At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mentors help create spaces where young people can feel supported, build confidence, and see new possibilities for their future. This month, we’re shining a light on Tina, a Study Buddy mentor whose journey reflects a powerful full-circle story of receiving support and later giving it back.
Tina first connected with community programs as a newcomer to Canada at a young age. Spaces like after-school programs and public libraries played an important role in her early development, helping her feel supported as she adjusted to a new environment. Today, she has come full circle through her involvement with Big Sisters as a Study Buddy volunteer and member of the National Youth Council, giving back to the same kind of support that helped shape her journey.
Now a resident doctor at BC Children’s Hospital training to become a pediatrician, Tina continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people every day.
“I get to help children reach their full potential every day and I have Big Sisters to thank for that.”
Full Circle Moments
For Tina, mentoring is deeply connected to her own lived experience of being supported by community programs when she was younger. That perspective brings a sense of purpose and meaning to her role as a Study Buddy mentor.
Her own mentorship experience began in 2018 and continued through to 2021, including during the challenges of the pandemic. She also contributed on a broader level as part of the National Youth Mentoring Advisory Council, further deepening her commitment to youth support.
What stood out most in her mentorship journey was how natural the connection became with her mentee. Beyond structured study time, they shared moments like bowling outings and spending time with family, creating a relationship grounded in trust and familiarity.
“I started as a Study Buddy mentor in 2018… what I didn’t realize is how much more fun it would be than just tutoring.”
Watching Confidence Take Shape
One of the most meaningful parts of Tina’s experience has been witnessing her mentee’s growth over time. What began as quiet or hesitant participation gradually developed into greater confidence, expression, and engagement.
Tina saw that change not only in academic spaces, but also in how her mentee carried herself socially. A neighbour and family friend later shared that they had noticed a clear shift in confidence and openness since the mentoring relationship began, a reminder of the ripple effect consistent support can have.
“What I enjoyed most about being a mentor was seeing my little grow and blossom both academically and also socially.”
What Mentorship Means
For Tina, mentorship is both personal and reciprocal. It is about helping someone recognize their own strengths while also learning from the young person she is supporting.
“I get to help children reach their full potential every day and I have Big Sisters to thank for that.”
She also sees mentorship as a two-way relationship, where both mentor and mentee bring value, perspective, and growth to one another.
“Mentorship to me is a way to show others how much potential they have. It’s also a two-way street, with both mentor and mentee having so much to offer the other.”
Ready to Become a Mentor?
Tina’s story reflects the heart of Study Buddy. It is about connection, consistency, and the impact of being supported and then choosing to support others in return.
The Study Buddy Program pairs volunteers with young people to help build confidence in learning, strengthen academic skills, and foster positive relationships that support long-term growth.
If you would like to support a young person in this way, learn more about becoming a mentor at bigsisters.bc.ca/become-a-volunteer-mentor or email us at info@bigsisters.bc.ca.