Kory Kang

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible mentors and mentees who make our community so special. This month’s spotlight is on Shela, a My Voice, My Power! mentor who joined earlier this year. From supporting a mentee through a tough school transition to creating safe spaces where youth feel valued and heard, Shela shares what mentorship means to her and why it’s been such a rewarding experience.

Meet Nester Chen, a dedicated Big Sisters mentor who’s been supporting youth in our community for over 10 years. From co-leading workshops to celebrating personal milestones, her mentorship journey is filled with meaningful moments and lasting impact.

At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mentors create space for self-expression, connection, and growth—reminding youth they’re not alone in the world. This month, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Rachel Michon, a dedicated Go Girls! mentor who’s been volunteering for over a decade. With every session, Rachel brings warmth, humour, and a genuine passion for helping youth feel seen and supported. “I’ve been volunteering on and off as a Go Girls! mentor for 10 years, and there’s a reason I’ve stuck with it this long. Every term, the positivity grows, the support gets stronger, and the mentees have an even better experience.”   Moments That Stick After 10 years of mentoring, Rachel has plenty of standout memories—but […]

Last week, we gathered to celebrate the incredible volunteers who are at the heart of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. Our annual Volunteer Recognition Party was a chance to reflect on the dedication, care, and time that each volunteer gives to support youth in our community.   Honouring an Incredible Commitment Over the past year, our volunteers contributed an amazing 36,362 hours to mentoring and supporting young people. That’s 36,362 hours of listening, encouraging, and showing up—and it’s made a lasting impact. At the event, we had the pleasure of recognizing this generosity during our annual certificate ceremony. It was a moment to thank each volunteer for the unique ways they help ignite potential and create meaningful change.

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a bold new vision: the Unleashing Potential campaign. This milestone year is more than a celebration — it marks the beginning of a new chapter for mentorship in BC.   A New Chapter for Mentorship As the only standalone Big Sisters chapter in Canada, Big Sisters BCLM is leading the way in reimagining mentorship for girls and gender-diverse youth. The Unleashing Potential campaign highlights the life-changing impact of mentorship through the voices of mentees, mentors, and community leaders — sharing stories of growth, confidence, and connection. “This campaign isn’t just a look back at Big Sisters’ history — it’s a look forward, creating a legacy for generations to […]

Last night, we gathered for a very special evening — one that reminded us exactly why the Bright Futures Education Fund (BFEF) exists. Enjoying light bites, warm conversations, and meaningful connections, recipients, donors, committee members, and supporters came together to celebrate not just academic milestones, but the personal journeys that led each student here.   Celebrating Graduates This year, we had the honour of recognizing three graduates who completed their programs and are stepping into exciting new chapters. Two of our graduates, Wendlyn and Weronika, generously shared their stories with the room — offering an honest, heartfelt look at the challenges and victories of post-secondary life. Wendlyn, who just graduated from UBC’s Nursing program, spoke about the unexpected hurdles of […]

At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mission is rooted in helping youth reach their full potential through supportive mentoring relationships — and that includes affirming who they are. Many of the youth we serve, as well as our mentors, staff, and community members, identify as part of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. We know that young people thrive when they feel safe, accepted, and seen. Pride Month is a powerful reminder of our role in building that kind of environment — not just in June, but all year long. By championing diversity and inclusion, we help create spaces where every young person feels empowered to show up as their authentic self.   Honouring the 2SLGBTQAI+ Community Pride is a time […]

At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mentors help shape the future by simply showing up, listening, and making space for joy and connection. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Deborah Corniel—a dedicated Big Sisters mentor who brings heart, humour, and an epic playlist to every hangout with her Little. “We have similar senses of humour and my face usually hurts from all the laughing. Car karaoke is definitely a highlight!”   Creating Connection Through Joy Deborah joined the Big Sisters program in March 2024 and was matched with her Little on October 8. Since then, she’s embraced the power of presence—whether that’s through car rides, laughter, or just being a consistent, caring adult in her mentee’s life. […]