Big Sisters and KPU Partner to Help Youth Explore Post-Secondary Opportunities
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is excited to announce a new partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) through Pumped for Post-Secondary (PFPS), a program that helps students in Grades 9–12 explore post-secondary education, develop practical skills, and plan for their future.
Launched on October 8 at KPU Surrey, this partnership brings together Big Sisters’ expertise in youth mentorship and KPU’s commitment to creating accessible pathways to post-secondary education. Through weekly, on-campus sessions facilitated by Big Sisters staff, youth will connect with KPU student mentors, explore campus life, and learn about the educational and career opportunities available after high school.
For some students, post-secondary education can feel unfamiliar or out of reach. They may be unsure which options are available, what resources they can access, or how to prepare for the transition after high school. Pumped for Post-Secondary helps make these possibilities more tangible through hands-on learning, mentorship, and opportunities to experience campus life firsthand.
Exploring Post-Secondary Life Through Mentorship
Running through the fall and spring semesters at KPU Surrey, Pumped for Post-Secondary combines interactive workshops, skill-building activities, and guided mentorship to help youth prepare for life after high school.
Participants will have opportunities to explore the campus, learn about student services, and discover academic and career resources that can support their goals. Workshops may cover practical topics such as financial literacy and résumé writing, helping students build skills they can use as they consider their next steps.
KPU student mentors play an important role by sharing their own post-secondary experiences, answering questions, and helping participants feel more comfortable navigating a campus environment. With Big Sisters staff facilitating the sessions, youth have a supportive space to explore their interests, learn about different pathways, and ask questions without feeling they need to have everything figured out.
Dr. Diane Purvey, KPU President and Vice-Chancellor, pro tem, shared what the partnership means for the university:
“At KPU we are committed to expanding opportunities for students to explore and prepare for their post-secondary future. This partnership allows us to welcome young students to our campuses, connect them with relatable mentors and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their educational goals.”
By welcoming youth onto campus and connecting them with current students, KPU is helping make post-secondary education more familiar and giving participants opportunities to explore what their own futures could look like.
Helping Young People See What’s Possible
Choosing what comes next after high school can feel like a big decision. Young people may have questions about post-secondary education, career options, finances, or whether a particular path is right for them. Practical knowledge and supportive relationships can help them navigate those questions, build confidence, and feel more prepared to explore new opportunities.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to see what’s possible for their future and to have someone in their corner as they explore those possibilities. Pumped for Post-Secondary helps youth build confidence, ask questions and experience campus life in a supportive environment. Together with KPU, we’re helping young people see post-secondary education as a pathway that is within reach and empowering them to take steps toward their goals,” says Timna Mc Doom-Vitte, Director of Programs at Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.
The impact of these opportunities can be seen in the experiences of youth who have taken part in Pumped for Post-Secondary. Isabella, a participant in an earlier cohort at Langara College, learned practical skills such as budgeting and résumé writing, explored post-secondary pathways, and discovered resources available to support her future. The experience also helped ease her worries about what comes after high school. As she shared, “They taught me that asking questions is okay, that being scared is okay, and that even being uncertain and not knowing exactly where to go in my life was also okay.”
At Big Sisters, we believe every young person deserves the support and encouragement to discover their strengths and explore their potential. By combining practical learning with mentorship, Pumped for Post-Secondary helps youth build connections, learn about possibilities they may not have considered, and feel more confident taking steps toward their future.
Supporting the Next Generation of Mentors
The partnership also creates opportunities for KPU students to develop their own skills through volunteering. By sharing their post-secondary experiences and supporting younger students, mentors can strengthen their leadership skills while gaining career-readiness training and a professional reference upon completing the program.
With Big Sisters staff facilitating the sessions, student mentors can focus on building connections with participants, offering encouragement, and sharing what they have learned along their own educational journeys. Mentorship gives KPU students an opportunity to contribute to their community while developing skills and experience that can support their own futures.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to partner with KPU to help more young people explore post-secondary education in a welcoming, supportive environment. By bringing youth onto campus, introducing them to practical resources, and connecting them with student mentors, Pumped for Post-Secondary helps make future educational opportunities feel more approachable and within reach.
Together, Big Sisters and KPU are creating opportunities for youth to ask questions, build practical skills, and imagine what comes next.
We’d also like to thank Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto for sharing the Pumped for Post-Secondary program with us and helping us bring more opportunities to youth in our community.
Want to Get Involved?
Whether you’re a young person interested in joining a mentorship program, a post-secondary student interested in becoming a mentor, an organization interested in partnering with us, or a potential sponsor looking to support youth, there are many ways to get involved.
Contact info@bigsisters.bc.ca to learn more.
Explore the Pumped for Post-Secondary program to learn more about how mentorship can help young people prepare for their future.